The greatest attention traditionally goes to the most powerful “Super Buggy” class. This year, 15 athletes are registered in it, including European autocross giants such as Czech Petr Nikodem, Latvian Ervins Grenčis, Dutch Teun van Asten and Wiely Albers. In this class, spectators can expect very fast and impressive rides and stunning sound.
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Equally intriguing will be the “Buggy 1600” class, in which as many as 21 participants will start. Several Lithuanian athletes are also registered here – Tomas Zavarskis, Andrius Lugauskas and Saulius Žunda. The Lithuanians face serious competition from racers from the Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Latvia and other countries.
Among the participants of the “Buggy 1600” class this year, the Czech Filip Hartman can also be seen, who, after an unsuccessful first stage of the European Championship in Germany, comes to Vilkyčiai determined for a rematch. The athlete does not hide that the Lithuanian track leaves a special impression on him due to its speed and specificity.
“The first stage in Germany started quite well. In the first qualifying, I was fifth among all participants, but then there were minor incidents, failures, so I ultimately did not make it to the semifinals. Now I need to make up for it.
Before Vilkyčiai, we will go to Bauska, Latvia, and straight from there – to Lithuania. The Vilkyčiai track is special because of its speed. Many things are decided on the very first straight after the start. It is one of the best tracks in Europe, so I am eagerly looking forward to the stage in Lithuania,” said Czech Filip Hartman.
The youth classes also attracted great interest. In the “Junior Buggy” category, 10 athletes are registered, and in the “Junior Cross Car” class, 10 young talents from various European countries will also start. Among them are several offspring of autocross families, already demonstrating a high pace in international competitions.
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The “Cross Car” class will be particularly numerous this year, with as many as 26 participants registered. Here, a very diverse European autocross map will meet – from Israel to Spain or Luxembourg. Such a number of participants promises very intense qualifying runs and uncompromising battles for places in the finals.
The sporting weekend in Vilkyčiai will begin on Friday with administrative and technical procedures. On Saturday, spectators will see qualifying runs, and on Sunday, semifinals and finals will take place on the track. The event organizers also promise a solemn opening ceremony with a performance by the Kaunas Aeroclub’s ANBO aerobatic team.
The organizers note that applications are still awaited from athletes starting in national classes. Applications are accepted until this Sunday with the usual entry fee, and the organizers recommend not delaying and encouraging colleagues to participate in the autocross cup – it is a great opportunity to become part of this grand European autocross weekend and compete in one of the most prestigious motorsport events in the Baltic countries.
Tickets can be purchased online on the “Bilietai.lt” platform. Tickets will also be sold at the event venue, but the organizers recommend securing tickets in advance.
More information about the upcoming event can be found on the organizers’ “Facebook” page.
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