On the final day of the rally, the Lithuanians stuck to their pre-chosen strategy – to drive confidently, avoid unnecessary risks, and maintain the lead built up in previous stages over their closest pursuers. This plan paid off and allowed them to successfully reach the finish and complete one of the most successful performances in the team’s history.
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“Today we are at the finish of the Argentina rally. The fifth day is over, and the rally is over. It’s a bit sad that the race ended, but we are happy and have good news – we managed to secure second place in the buggy classification and the World Championship. Now we will meet in Morocco,” said Mindaugas Sidabras.
Co-driver Ernestas Česokas did not hide his emotions after the finish. According to him, the most important thing was to keep a cool head and not give in to the temptation to take more risks on the last day than the situation required. Stability and avoiding mistakes became one of the key ingredients of success.
“It seems we executed the maximum plan. After yesterday, we chose a conservative strategy – to maintain positions, avoid mistakes. Today we did everything perfectly. No punctured tires, no navigation errors. We kept a safe pace and are very happy about that. Who could have believed that a new duo, just entering this discipline, would achieve such a result in only their third race. I certainly wouldn’t have believed it. Thanks to Mindaugas for giving the best birthday present,” Ernestas Česokas rejoiced.
In the fifth special stage, the crew of Mindaugas Sidabras and Ernestas Česokas took third place in the SSV class. The Lithuanians completed the 340-kilometer sporting distance in 3 hours 12 minutes 38 seconds, trailing the stage winners by 13 minutes 6 seconds.
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In the final “Desafio Ruta 40” SSV class standings, the “Izoton Sport” duo took second place. Over five race days, the Lithuanians accumulated a time of 20 hours 14 minutes 44 seconds and were second only to the Argentine crew Jeremías Gonzalez Ferioli and Gonzalo Rinaldi. The Spanish duo Juan Piferrer Navarro and Xavier Blanco Garcia, who took third place, were more than 18 minutes behind the Lithuanians.
This result is so far the greatest achievement for Mindaugas Sidabras and Ernestas Česokas in the World Rally Raid Championship. The Lithuanian duo, starting together in a world championship stage for only the third time, not only finished one of the most challenging rally raids of the season but also secured a place on the podium.
More news about the “Izoton Sport” team’s performance in the third stage of the World Rally Raid Championship in Argentina can be found on the team’s “Facebook” page.
