The biggest challenge in France was the constantly changing weather conditions. Rain alternated with dry periods, so the teams had to constantly look for the most suitable car settings.
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“The weekend was really tough. Everything started off well, but the conditions were very difficult. It rained, then it was dry again. And so continuously. For this reason, it was very difficult to find the right car settings,” said R. Gurklys.
The first qualification was not favorable for the Lithuanian due to the starting position and the situation on the track.
“In the first qualification, I got stuck behind slower drivers because I started from fifth position. In the second qualification, I pushed forward to second position,” said the racer.
In the third qualification, R. Gurklys was already competing among the fastest athletes, but this run ended for him after contact with an opponent.
“Later, in the third run, I was already among the fastest drivers and was knocked out by an opponent. The Frenchman hit my wheel from the outside, breaking the rim. The wheel got stuck on the brake disc and I was left standing still,” said R. Gurklys.
After the incident, the team had a lot of work to do to ensure the car would be ready to continue the race the next day.
“We returned to the team tent, the mechanics immediately lifted the car and checked for damage, what was missing and what was needed so we could start the next day. They removed the shock absorbers, checked the steering rods, half shafts, forks, CV joints, and took out the gearbox,” recalled the Lithuanian about the mechanics’ work.
The car was repaired, but due to the unsuccessful third qualification, in the fourth run R. Gurklys ended up in the group of slower athletes. This did not prevent him from significantly improving his position.
“The next day, in the fourth qualification, I started in the slowest group with those who had bad luck. I won my subgroup and was third overall, and in the general ranking I rose to fourth place and started from the first row, second position in the semifinal,” said R. Gurklys.
In the semifinal, the Lithuanian had a good start and immediately overtook Audrius Kragas, but later one mistake allowed his compatriot to regain the position.
“I managed to overtake my fellow Lithuanian Audrius Kragas at the start and everything was going well. But in one corner I made a mistake – it was in that corner that I didn’t get along with the car and the opponents caught up with me. Before turning into the ‘Joker’ lap, I made a mistake and Audrius Kragas overtook me after the ‘Joker’,” said R. Gurklys.
In the final, the Lithuanian started from the second row, outside position. The start was successful, but his plan fell apart already in the first corner.
“And in the final, I started from the second row on the outside. The start was good, but in the first corner I couldn’t arrive as planned. There was no space for me there, we collided with a competitor, he pushed me a bit. I was fourth, stuck behind a slower driver and had no chance to do anything. Then a slower car caught up from behind and after the ‘Joker’ lap I finished fifth. So really one mistake cost me a lot,” said R. Gurklys.
Despite the fifth place in France, the Lithuanian remains the leader of the RX3 class championship before the decisive weekend and has a 10-point lead.
“Now everything moves to Portugal. I am the class leader and have a ten-point lead, but already now everything is not as calm as it could be. We will have a lot of work and the fastest, so the first day of that race will be decisive,” said R. Gurklys.
The track in Portugal is not new to the Lithuanian. R. Gurklys raced there last season as well, but this time the goal is much higher.
“I have driven on that track. Everything is fine there. Last year I was in the first row in the semifinal, but then I broke down psychologically and finished third in the semifinal. Then I started the final from the last row and finished sixth. At that time, as a debut, it was not bad, but now the main goal is to fight for the European champion title,” said R. Gurklys.
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