A major automotive event, Promotors Show 2026, took place at the SOF Expo exhibition center in Samarkand on September 12 and 13. The event gathered approximately 400 participants from Uzbekistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. The show featured various categories, including drift, tuning, classic cars, motorcycles, and car audio.
Visitors had the opportunity to see both modern and rare vehicles, as well as unique custom tuning projects. The central part of the program was the Drift Show, although organizers clarified that this event was not competitive.
Sanzhar Saidazov, a pilot for the Doppi Team, emphasized that such events primarily serve as a training base for professional racers. He noted that the atmosphere at these events encourages joint trips, training, and creating spectacle for the public.
Eduard Chen, organizer of the Drift Show and co-organizer of Promotors Show, stated that one of the project's goals is to demonstrate the possibility of engaging in drifting and automotive tuning in safe and specially equipped conditions. He stressed that the development of auto culture in Uzbekistan should occur in a civilized manner, not on public roads.
Chen added that concrete and metal barriers are used when preparing the venues, and the track is marked by specialists, with event execution being coordinated with relevant organizations.
Organizers note a significant growth in interest in automotive culture and motorsport in Uzbekistan in recent years. Ahmad Tajibaev, organizer of Promotors Show, reported that before 2022, such displays were more often held in Tashkent. Holding the show in Samarkand, in his opinion, will help stimulate the development of the automotive movement in other regions.
Tajibaev illustrated this growth by noting that in 2022, there were only three professional drift cars available, whereas now there are over 50 cars in the hangar, plus another 15 awaiting entry, which indicates cultural development.
The international composition of participants attending the event allows owners and pilots to exchange experiences and expand the automotive community.
Eduard Chen also noted that for many visitors, such events are primarily places for social interaction. He described it as a community where people gather, socialize, and become friends, despite significant time, financial, and energy costs, since many cars are built for personal enjoyment, not just for display.
At Promotors Show, participants showcased their personal projects rather than competing against each other; the organizer emphasized that every car reflects the tastes and interests of its owner.
Classic cars occupied a significant place at the exhibition. Batyr Azimov, chairman of the Retro Uz club, reported that the club was founded in 2015 and has official registration with the Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan. Currently, the club has about 30 members whose collections include approximately 50 classic cars: 30 are operational, and 20 are undergoing restoration.
The club's goal, according to Azimov, is to preserve rare cars and motorcycles within the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan for future generations and to maintain their historical value. He also noted the growing interest in retro technology in the country, emphasizing that events like Promotors Show contribute significantly to Uzbekistan's auto culture.
Among the club's unusual collections is a collection of 35 motorcycles from one member, dating from 1945 to 1980. All this equipment has been restored and is in working condition.
Among the presented vehicles were both modern tuning projects and cars with rich histories. Andrey Golovchenko brought a 1950 GAZ-67 to the exhibition. Finding this car took over a year, and after discovering it in poor condition, a two-year restoration began. The work included removing the body from the frame, cleaning parts down to the metal, and restoring the engine, with some spare parts only found by purchasing additional donor cars.
The GAZ-67 was produced from 1943 to 1953 and was originally designed as military towing equipment for heavy loads. The presented model is equipped with an original 3.3-liter engine with 56 horsepower.
Another participant from Tashkent presented a tuned Chevrolet Cobalt named 'White Bear'. This project, existing since 2020, is focused on car audio and required investments exceeding $30,000, excluding the cost of the car itself. The project has already participated in various car festivals and international competitions.
Promotors Show extended beyond the automotive theme by including motorcycles in the program. Velmax from Tashkent presented four motorcycles: a 2020 Harley-Davidson Breakout with a 27-inch wheel, a 2021 BMW S1000RR, a Kawasaki Z1000 R Edition, and a 170 horsepower BMW S1000R. Thus, visitors could appreciate various aspects of motorcycle culture—from classics and retro technology to modern sports models, tuning, and car audio.
An important feature of the event was that participants came not only to display their equipment but also to socialize with like-minded people. Juliana from Termez, who attended the Drift Show, shared strong impressions, calling what she saw 'wonderful' and expressing joy at visiting.
Organizers note that Promotors Show is transforming into a platform that unites representatives of the automotive community from different cities and countries. Future plans include further development of projects in the fields of drifting, retro technology, car audio, and tuning. Ultimately, the two-day event at SOF Expo demonstrated that Uzbekistan's automotive culture continues to actively develop, going beyond a mere hobby.