More than 80 athletes from 15 countries gathered for the anniversary, tenth European Championship stage held in Vilkyčiai. The first qualification showed that athletes in many classes face an extremely fierce battle, and the differences between leaders and pursuers often did not even reach a second.
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Although most of the qualifying heats went smoothly, a collision involving four buggies occurred during one of the starts. The judges immediately showed red flags, and two drivers had to be examined by medics. The pilots did not suffer serious injuries and will be able to continue racing on Sunday.
The eyes of Lithuanian fans were primarily on the “Buggy 1600” class, where three representatives of the country – Tomas Zavarskis, Andrius Lugauskas, and Saulius Žunda – are competing. After the first qualifying heat, Tomas Zavarskis showed the best result among Lithuanians, taking tenth place.
Andrius Lugauskas was classified just one position lower, while Saulius Žunda finished the first qualification in fifteenth place. The class leader became Frenchman Malone Feuillade, ahead of German Rene Mandel and Dutchman Nathan Ottink.
In the most powerful “Super Buggy” class, the fastest was one of this season’s favorites, Czech Petr Nikodem. Frenchman Robert Theuil recorded the second result, and Dutchman Mike Bartelen the third. Meanwhile, for one of the class’s most prominent participants, Latvian Ervins Grencis, the first qualifying heat ended unsuccessfully – the athlete was shown a black flag.
In the extremely numerous “Cross Car” class, with 23 participants, the winner of the first qualification was Luxembourg’s Bob Schanen. Frenchman David Meat took second place, and Spaniard Diego Garcia Candal took third.
In the youth categories, the fastest in the first qualifications were Czech Ladislav Hanák (“Junior Buggy”) and Greek Vasileios Iliopoulos (“Junior Cross Car”).
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In the national “Super 2000” class, Antanas Mažonas won the first qualifying heat, ahead of Zenonas Bartkevičius and Valdas Mikužis.
However, the first qualification is just the beginning. The remaining qualifications will be held on Sunday. Only after them will the participants of the semi-finals be determined, who will continue the fight for places in the finals.
Spectators on Sunday will not only witness battles on the track. The competition program includes a solemn opening ceremony, during which the ANBO aerobatic flying group from Kaunas Aeroclub will perform. The organizers hope that the aircraft show will become one of the most memorable highlights of the anniversary European Autocross stage.
Tickets for the competition can be purchased online on the “Bilietai.lt” platform. Tickets will also be sold at the event venue, but organizers recommend purchasing tickets in advance.
More information about the upcoming event can be found on the organizers’ “Facebook” page.
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