In the “Yaris 1000” class, one Lithuanian started at this stage – Germantas Geležinis. He is not competing in the entire rallycross season this year, but after starting in Vilkyčiai, he immediately began to show his speed. However, in the final, the young man missed one position to the top three and finished fourth in the competition.
Read more It became clear why Trump refused to transfer «Patriot» technology to Ukraine
There were no Lithuanians in the “Lada RX” class – here the entire top three was taken by Latvian athletes. The winner was Rolands Bružans, second was Niks Mezins, and third place went to Emils Krumins.
In the “Cross Car Mini” category, the victory was celebrated by Latvian Marians Berzkalns, Marta Skusta finished second, and Gedas Rutkauskas made it to the third step of the podium. The stage was very unfavorable for another fast Lithuanian representative, Kasparas Kažemėkas. In one of the qualifying runs, he hit an opponent’s buggy and flipped over. The buggy frame was damaged during the accident, so the young driver had to end the race prematurely.
The races of the more powerful “Cross Car” buggies were also dramatic. During the race, the season leader, Latvian Roberts Purmalis, withdrew from the competition after a severe accident, crashing into barriers. After the main competitor’s misfortune, a great opportunity opened up for Kernius Šulinskas.
The Lithuanian was very close to victory, but it slipped away practically at the last moment. In the final, at the penultimate turn while entering the “Joker” lap, K. Šulinskas almost spun and let Adrian Apsitis pass ahead. The Latvian athlete took advantage of this mistake and won, while K. Šulinskas had to settle for second place.
Matas Zavarskis finished third, Jokūbas Bagdanavičius took fourth place, Matas Rimkus fifth, and Marius Udrėnas sixth.
In the “Super 1600” class, Lithuanians had more reasons to celebrate. Valdas Mikužis did not give up the leader positions all day, confirmed his pace in the final, and won the race.
Two Estonian representatives, Andreas Aulik and Albert Ako Kokk, finished closely behind V. Mikužis. In the Baltic States rallycross championship standings, Rytis Rutkauskas took third place, while in the Latvia and Lithuania rallycross championship standings, he finished fourth.
Read more When stories continue: it all started with Ugnė
Probably the most passion in Vilkyčiai was in the “Super 2000” class. The whole day was full of drama, collisions, and situations that had to be reviewed by the race commissioners.
After all the battles, the winner was Latvian Kristaps Kasparovičs. His compatriot Miks Gabrans took second place, and after a dramatic fight, Rokas Jakubauskas made it to the third step of the podium.
In the Baltic States rallycross championship standings, Mantas Sidabras took third place. Edvinas Miknius was just one step away from the podium, and Gintautas Norkus finished last in the final.
In the BMW RX3000 class, no one matched the only Lithuanian who started in this category, Lukas Sidabras. The “Izoton Sport” team driver was the fastest in all qualifiers in the largest race category and confirmed his advantage in the most important race of the day – the final.
L. Sidabras secured a confident victory in Vilkyčiai and further strengthened his leadership in this year’s rallycross season.
The Vilkyčiai stage also concluded this year’s rallycross battles on this track. Only one stage remains until the end of the Latvia and Lithuania rallycross championship season. On September 18–19, athletes will meet in Latvia at the Biķernieki track, where an exclusive season finale awaits them – a night rallycross stage.
However, the roar of engines at the Vilkyčiai motorsport complex will not quiet down this year. Although there will be no more rallycross races here, on September 13, autocross athletes will return to the track – a stage of the Lithuanian autocross championship will be held in Vilkyčiai.
Read more Near Kaunas Airport – an unusual sight: many police crews
