Pavlov the Bear

Pavlov the Bear is the pet bear of Russian businessman and RUS Autosport racing team owner Vitaly Tsolikov.

In 2012, Tsolikov claimed he had trained Pavlov to drive a race car, and prepared an ARLA Elite Series car for him to drive during a pre-race exhibition at the Rockford 200. After several mishaps attempting to navigate the car around the quarter-mile short track, Pavlov did manage to complete a lap, to the delight of the American racing fans.

In 2019, the FARC Lowe Dollar Series held the second FARC Russian Grand Prix at Miachkovo Airport, bankrolled by Tsolikov, who also entered six cars for the event- including one with Pavlov listed as the driver. FARC officials allowed Pavlov's car to take the grid, as there is no rule in FARC sanctioning specifically prohibiting a bear from competing. Pavlov's #88 car in fact did not have an engine installed, and he was simply pushed to the pit lane at the beginning of the race. Nonetheless, he still received 56 points for the equivalent of a 14th place finish, and Tsolikov achieved his goal of entering the first bear to qualify for a motorsports race.