So far, the strategy of the „NØRDIS Team“ crew has been clear – to drive to the maximum and fight for victories. V. Žala and U. Vainevičius have won all three stages of the Lithuanian Automobile Rally Championship held so far and have created a favorable situation for themselves in the championship before the „Rokiškis Grand Rally“.
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Including the „Rokiškis Grand Rally“, there are three stages left this season. After the anniversary race, the championship participants will still face the Elektrėnai and Mažeikiai rallies.
„Our mood is significantly calmer than before because we already have a stabilized situation. I can now focus on a much more conservative drive than before. In the first three races, we drove to fight for victory. Now we can strategize because the situation is favorable. The math is on our side. Possibly second place would be enough. Psychologically, it is calmer, less pressure,“ said Vaidotas Žala.
However, a more conservative approach does not mean that the championship leaders intend to drive slowly.
„The speed of the leaders is similar, and the one who pushes has the greatest risk. But this is a universal rule once the season is underway. Our form is good, we are warmed up, we have a result,“ said the athlete.
For V. Žala, the „Rokiškis Grand Rally“ is a special race. In its ten-year history, he has already triumphed here four times.
„It’s nice to return to Rokiškis. We feel at home there. I don’t even know how many years we have been coming here. I have won races and even named a jump. Sometimes it seems like I come from Rokiškis. Everything is already familiar here – the infrastructure and where to eat well. Really, like at home,“ smiled V. Žala.
Still, neither excellent knowledge of Rokiškis roads nor four previous victories guarantee anything this year. The championship leader singles out two other crews besides his and the co-driver’s duo, who, in his opinion, have the most realistic chances to fight for the absolute victory. According to Vaidotas Žala, both rivals not only have enough speed but also a huge desire to climb to the top step of the podium at the „Rokiškis Grand Rally“.
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„At this moment, besides us, there are two other names competing for victory – Deividas Gezevičius and Rokas Steponavičius. They can definitely win, have speed, fierceness, and hunger. Everyone wants to be first, so any of our trio really has serious chances,“ evaluated V. Žala about the competitors.
Deividas Gezevičius with Evaldas Kvederis occupy second place in the LARČ2 classification after the first three stages, and Rokas Steponavičius with Dovydas Ketvirtis are third.
Qualification will also gain additional importance before the start of the „Rokiškis Grand Rally“. The highest classified crews will have to complete a qualifying special stage, after which the top ten leaders will choose their preferred starting positions. In gravel races, the starting position, depending on weather and road conditions, can become an important tactical card.
„Of course, everything will depend on the weather conditions, qualification. There are no guarantees, and anyone can take the victory. There will be intrigue, but we are driving with a calmer mindset. Of course, history shows that this calmness can also trip you up, but overall the mood is good because we no longer have such psychological pressure,“ said the leader of the Lithuanian Automobile Rally Championship.
The anniversary „Rokiškis Grand Rally“ will feature 17 special stages and 134 competitive kilometers. Some of the routes will be completely new this year – participants of the Lithuanian Automobile Rally Championship will compete for the first time on newly discovered technical special stages near Jūžintai.
The „Rokiškis Grand Rally“, held for the tenth time, will also have a special international significance this year. The race, taking place from August 13 to 15, will simultaneously be a stage of the Lithuanian Automobile Rally Championship, the FIA European Rally Trophy, the „Tour European Rally“ championship, and the Lithuanian „Rally4 Trophy“. Strong Lithuanian and foreign crews will come to Rokiškis, so the battle for the absolute victory between V. Žala, D. Gezevičius, and R. Steponavičius will be just one of many intrigues of the anniversary „Rokiškis Grand Rally“.
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