Every race featured a direct battle for positions. In some cases, the leaders had to defend against opponents’ attacks until the finish, while in others, the lineup was essentially changed by technical problems or incidents. Because of this, spectators hardly had to wait for action all day – the track was constantly filled with competition.
Even more interestingly, just a week before the competition, the Vilkyčiai track was flooded and submerged by the nearby Veiviržas River. The organizers had to put in great effort, pumping out water and repairing the track, but on race day, the athletes faced ideal racing conditions.
Accidents and breakdowns thinned the ranks of “Super Cars” participants
In the “Super Cars” class, the number of participants decreased practically all day. Initially, Raimondas Monstvila withdrew due to a breakdown, Kęstutis Krakys had an accident, and Deividas Kus stopped early in the day.
Another serious surprise awaited before the final. Deividas Vareika, who had set the pace all day, did not start the decisive race due to technical problems.
In such a changeable battle, Audrius Stanis was the most consistent and became the stage winner. Edvinas Skripkus took second place, having contact with Donatas Stašiūnas-Žvėris in the final. Paulius Šniukas finished third. He started the final already having a clutch failure but managed to reach the finish and step onto the podium.
A breakdown also stopped Edgaras Urbas in the final, so in the “Super Cars” class, the equipment became no less important a factor than the athletes’ speed.
Laužikas’ Honda front wheel broke off right after the finish
In the “Super 2000” class, Vytautas Laužikas won. His Honda Civic crossed the finish line successfully, but immediately after the finish, the car’s front wheel broke off.
Gediminas Ašakėnas took second place, whose path to the final was much tougher. Early in the day, his car was hit by a steering column problem, and the stuck steering ended with a crash into hay bales at the edge of the track.
The mechanics had to put in a lot of effort, and G. Ašakėnas missed one qualifying race due to repairs. Still, the car was prepared for the final, where the athlete showed a great pace and finished second.
Valdas Mikužis stepped onto the third podium spot. In the final, he defeated the well-driving Lukas Kildišius and eliminated him from the fastest trio.
Technical problems also stopped Erikas Narbutas, who started the race successfully – his Honda Civic engine’s connecting rod came out. Modestas Banelis stopped in the final due to suspension failure, and Laurynas Paulauskas significantly damaged his car during the day.
Only three participants remained on the track in the 3000 RWD final
The 3000 RWD class final was no less dramatic. Aurimas Jonaitis’ race ended after an accident – his BMW hit the barriers and rolled over. The athlete was unharmed, but it was the first “rollover” in his career.
Lukas Sidabras, who had been driving well until then, stopped in the final due to a breakdown. Technical problems also stopped Nerijus Taujenis, so eventually only three cars remained on the track.
At the front, a battle for victory was raging. Rokas Vaitekūnas had to withstand pressure from championship leader Paulius Mikelaitis but successfully defended his position and finished first. P. Mikelaitis was second, and Julius Lauraitis took third place.
Stropus recovered after two breakdowns
In the 2000 class, Deividas Stropus won, although his day was far from smooth. In one race, the athlete was stopped by a fuel pump problem, and in another – an electrical system failure.
Still, in the final, D. Stropus recovered, the equipment held up this time, and he reached the finish first.
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Edvinas Ugianskas took second place, having to withstand very close attacks from Mykolas Baliūnas. M. Baliūnas pressured his opponent but failed to overtake him and finished third.
The final went quite differently for Ričardas Jakimavičius. His car’s half-shaft broke down on the starting track, so the athlete did not compete in the decisive battle.
Kažemėkaitis did not give up the leader position
The most intrigue in the 1600 class was created by the duel between Tadas Kažemėkaitis and Matas Rimkus.
In the final, M. Rimkus pressed very hard on the leading opponent and waited for his mistake, but T. Kažemėkaitis withstood the pressure and did not give up the leader position. T. Kažemėkaitis won, M. Rimkus finished second, and Robertas Steniulis took third place.
The small buggy outperformed four-wheel-drive rivals
In the “Buggy Cup” class, Karolis Petreikis delivered one of the most impressive final performances. With the small “Cross Car” buggy driven only by the rear axle, he managed to outperform pilots of four-wheel-drive buggies and celebrated victory.
Nojus Galvosa finished second, and Marius Udrėnas broke into third place in the final.
Julius Kvainauskas, who had set the pace until then, crashed into the track barriers in the decisive race. The buggy’s suspension was damaged, so the athlete could no longer continue the fight.
Participants of additional classes raced together
The 1600-A and 2000-A additional class races took place together, but even there, there was no shortage of intrigue, close battles, and sharp moments. After the races, the prize winners of both classes were awarded separately.
Matas Pocius won in the 1600-A class. Marius Bakūnas took second place, and Deimantas Žiauga finished third.
In the 2000-A classification, Aurimas Liutikas demonstrated an impressive pace and celebrated victory. Latvian athlete Ainārs Šņukuts finished second, and Arnas Jonušaitis, racing at the Vilkyčiai track for the first time, took third place.
Team victory went to ASK “Lokys Motorsport”
A fierce battle also took place in the team classification. The best performance in Vilkyčiai was by ASK “Lokys Motorsport” athletes, who took first place.
Second place went to “Ekrosas,” and third were the racers of the Kupiškis “Auto-moto sport” team.
These were the fourth and final races this year at the Vilkyčiai motorsport complex.
This year, the European autocross championship stage, two Latvian-Lithuanian and Baltic rallycross championship races, and this stage of the Lithuanian autocross championship, which thundered on Sunday, took place here.
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