After impressive first battles in the Baltic Circuit Racing Championship (BaTCC) first stage, it’s time to return to the Bikernieki track in Riga for a rematch. From June 4–6, the second stage of the season – “Stateta Bro | Pro Bro Grand Prix” – will take place here, promising speed, tension, and battles where not everyone can be a winner.
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Action on the track will start on Thursday: a full day of training sessions and searching for fast laps before two intense race days. On Friday, teams will continue to refine their technique, but the serious part begins in the evening – qualifying, which will determine the starting positions for Saturday’s race.
And the main day – Saturday – will welcome participants on the track from 10 a.m., where they will compete until 8 p.m. The legendary Bikernieki track is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, so alongside the racing event, guests can expect special show elements.
Open battle in the BMW 325 CUP classification
The first stage in Riga only confirmed that the “BMW 325 CUP” class will remain one of the most interesting series this season. Last year’s champion Ragnar Simulandas is competing in other series this time, leaving the champion’s throne open to all contenders.
During the first stage, the home track advantage was used by the legendary Latvian racer Janis Horeliks, who won his first victory in the BMW 325 CUP career and became the overall leader in this series. Close behind is the Polish motorsport veteran, 2025 BaTCC “BMW 325 CUP Masters” champion Karolis Wyka, who already has 86 points.
Currently in third place is Dmitrijus Gornevas, determined to continue his successful performance and fight hard for the podium, while Matis Malinovskis, who won the first race, hopes for a rematch after technical failures hindered his successful start in the second race during the first stage.
“BMW Turbo Cup”: mistakes here are costly
Even greater intrigue awaits in the “BMW Turbo Cup” class. After winter, this classification was supplemented by several newly prepared cars, making the competition more intense than ever: the slightest mistake can cost the victory.
Already during the first stage, 2025 champion Artjoms Koclamazasvili showed he does not intend to give up the title easily and left behind longtime rival Aurimas Mištautas from “LIK Racing by KTK Racing” in second place, while third place went to Mantas Šilkūnas, who debuted in the classification this season: it seems the rookie status did not prevent him from surprising both competitors and spectators.
“Lamborghini” duel continues
In the “GT” classification, attention turns to the duel between two athletes with supercars – Arturs Batraks and Egidijus Gelūnas.
In the first stage, luck favored the Lithuanian, but the Latvian is certainly not going to give up easily on his home track. Their confrontation in the “BGT PRO” class could become one of the main highlights of the weekend.
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In the “BGT AM+” class, the first stage was dominated by Estonian Rometas Reisins with a Porsche Cayman GT4 RS, but the “BGT AM” class awaits a very diverse and unpredictable battle among different cars. Here, a fairly Lithuanian victory for the podium is expected.
During the first stage, the fastest was Paulius Urbonavičius, but Rokas Kvedaras and Lukas Samulionis are close behind, with Finnish racing ace Jyrki Jonkkari not far away.
Record-breaking V1600 class
A particularly strong growth is observed in the “V1600” classification. Twelve participants started in the first stage, and it is expected that this number will be even higher in the second stage: not all participants had time to prepare their equipment, but even without starting in the first stage, the season victory can be achieved.
Among the participants, Marek Matvejevas seems unbeatable so far, having dominated in 2025 and started this year’s season excellently by taking two confident wins. However, Nauris Agafonovs is already breathing down his neck, and former “ABC Race” class participant Andris Misins debuted with a Toyota Yaris and immediately took third place.
Up to 30 teams in the 2-hour endurance race
An impressive spectacle awaits fans of the 2-hour endurance race: 25–30 teams are expected.
The “Hankook Endurance Challenge” series will also continue the “Lamborghini” duel in the “BGT PRO” classification, while “Eagle Racing” from Finland will seek to repeat success among “BGT AM” participants. Meanwhile, the “PI Rent by Baltic Karting Academy” team will try once again to stop the strong “Porsche Latvia Racing Team,” so it seems battles await not only at the front of the grid but also among other classification participants.
More than just races await
Besides fierce battles on the track, spectators will also enjoy other entertainment and show elements. On the other side of the start-finish straight, opposite the participants’ park, the annual motorsport exhibition will take place, and during the lunch break, retro motorcycle races will be held to mark the 60th anniversary of the Bikernieki track.
One weekend – dozens of races, hundreds of horsepower, and countless emotions: it is clear that a true motorsport festival awaits in Bikernieki.
The detailed list of participants and the race weekend schedule can be found on the championship organizers’ website batcc.eu.
