„Aurum 1006 km“ race in Palanga – cars line up in the technical inspection zone
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All information about the race
Only two days left until the start, but the most important first test for the teams has already been passed. On Wednesday, participants of the „Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook“ race underwent administrative and technical inspections, after which the final list of teams and cars starting in the biggest long-distance race in the Baltic countries was revealed. All 20 registered teams received permission to start.
As in previous years, the technical commission was led by the long-time chief technical commissioner from Estonia, Raul Koov, with his team. The administrative and technical commissions checked not only the athletes’ documents and safety equipment but also the cars’ compliance with technical requirements. Only teams that successfully passed this stage could enter the race village and begin the final preparations before the first practice sessions.
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“The technical and administrative commissions are always the first serious test for the participants of these races. It is pleasing that all teams passed it smoothly, and now we can focus all our attention on the most important thing – the race. This year, we will see very competitive equipment at the starting line, many experienced athletes, and several teams capable of fighting for victory,” says the main race organizer Darius Jonušis.
This year’s participant list includes not only a large group of Lithuanian athletes but also racers from abroad who have for several years considered the „Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook“ race one of the most important season starts. Several previous years’ winners and prize-winners will line up at the start, making the list of favorites unusually long this year.
The technical park this year looks no less impressive. Among the absolute classification favorites is a large group of professional-level GT3 and GT Open class cars. This once again proves that the races held on the Palanga track are a top-level challenge for everyone: racers, team strategists, managers, and mechanics.
Among the 20 teams, there are five „Porsche 911 GT3 Cup“ cars, two „Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II“, a „Lamborghini Huracan GT3“, three GT4 class cars, and a large group of other cars from different classes. Among them are seven BMW cars, including one diesel. Among the two starting „Volkswagen“ cars will be the „Caddy“, which last year managed to gather a fan base, widely known as the „hook“ in the community. Such a car park promises one of the most competitive battles in recent years both for the absolute classification and in separate classes.
The geography and generational diversity of this year’s participants are also interesting. At the start will be both athletes with many years of international racing experience and the younger generation, who have already won victories in Baltic and European championships. This combination of experience and youth has been a beautiful and distinctive feature of the Palanga races for several years.
On Thursday, participants will have their first practice sessions, as well as the traditional team parade on Vytautas Street in Palanga, where spectators will have the opportunity to get up close with the racers and cars. It will also be possible to feel the first emotions of the race – the „Volfas Engelman Non-Alcoholic Super Sprint“ race will take place.
Over the weekend, all eyes will be on the track, where it will be revealed who will win the 2026 „Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook“ titles after more than a thousand kilometers of racing.
