The third stage of the “Mitjet Baltics” sprint competition was held on the Palanga “Aurum 1006 km race” track. The previous two took place in Riga and Kaunas.
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Over the weekend, participants of “Mitjet Baltics” took part in test and qualifying runs and two 15-minute sprint races on the Palanga “Aurum 1006 km race” track.
Both races, held under different weather conditions, unfolded very differently, but the fight for victory continued until the last lap.
Hot Friday races
The first race was very interesting. The qualifying winner Vilius Reškevičius seemed to have already won the race, but in the last lap he was caught by another karting master Martynas Tankevičius. However, Vilius defended his leading position, although he admitted that it was difficult for him to find the ideal grip. Especially since the asphalt was very hot and therefore slippery.
Interestingly, experienced “Mitjet” pilot Povilas Jankavičius was clever and finished 4th. Since meteorologists forecasted heavy rain from the morning on Saturday, Povilas decided to secure the first starting position this way to avoid competitors’ water splashes. According to “Mitjet Baltics” rules, in the second race the starting order of PRO category pilots is reversed: the fourth finisher in the first race starts first in the next sprint.
It is also interesting that Petras Degtiarenka debuted in these races, and in the other race the young talent, F4 pilot Markas Šilkūnas, replaced Ramūnas Grigaitis who was injured.
Race 1 PRO category prize winners:
1. Vilius Reškevičius (Baltic Karting Academy).
2. Martynas Tankevičius (One Racing Shop – Freitron).
3. Markas Šilkūnas (Contribee – Saily).
SEMI PRO category prize winners:
1. Petras Degtiarenka (Contribee – Saily).
2. Rokas Kvedaras (Baltic Karting Academy).
3. Egidijus Gutaravičius (Kado Auto – EG/PX).
Saturday races – in the downpour
On Saturday morning, the “Mitjet” sprint started just before the “Aurum 1006 km race” start. At that time, a heavy downpour began, so the racers had to demonstrate all their skill on the slippery track, where barriers are so close that there is not always room to correct mistakes. For this reason, the Palanga track is sometimes called the “Monaco of Lithuania”.
The race was won by Povilas Jankavičius, who excellently maintained his first starting position. However, karting master Martynas Tankevičius, who had not yet driven a car on a wet track, decided not to give up the victory easily. Martynas caught up with Povilas’ car in the last laps, actively looking for an opportunity to overtake and finished only 0.348 seconds behind.
Considering the weather conditions, minimal visibility, and side windows fogged by moisture, the battle was of the highest level.
Interestingly, in the SEMI-PRO classification, Rokas Kvedaras and Egidijus Gutaravičius, who fought for second place, created a wonderful spectacle. Egidijus, driving behind Rokas, navigated only by the rear lights due to water splashes – the track markings were barely visible. Nevertheless, seizing the moment, he found an opportunity for an overtaking maneuver and gave the spectators a lot of emotions.
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The downpour left its marks: the winner of the first race, Vilius Reškevičius, did not finish due to a generator failure.
Race 2 PRO category prize winners:
1. Povilas Jankavičius (JBJ Racing).
2. Martynas Tankevičius (One Racing Shop – Freitron).
3. Markas Šilkūnas (Contribee – Saily).
SEMI-PRO category prize winners:
1. Petras Degtiarenka (Contribee – Saily).
2. Egidijus Gutaravičius (Kado Auto – EG/PX).
3. Rokas Kvedaras (Baltic Karting Academy).
“Mitjet Baltics” series participants score points in both individual and team classifications. The lap time record on the Palanga track with a MITJET 2L car belongs to Martynas Tankevičius from the “One Racing Shop – Freitron” team: 1:17.530 min.
After the third “Mitjet Baltics” stage, 5 pilots and 5 teams can still win the “Mitjet Baltics” championship based on points.
Here is the team and individual classification after the stage in Palanga.
Teams
1. Baltic Karting Academy | LTU — 217 pts
2. JBJ Racing | DEN — 205 pts
3. Kado Auto – EG/PX | LTU — 152 pts
4. One Racing Shop – Freitron | LTU — 134 pts
5. Contribee – Saily | LTU — 122 pts
6. Fri.Tech. Racing | LTU — 50 pts.
Pilots classification
1. 27 | P. Jankavičius | JBJ Racing — 145 pts.
2. 26 | M. Tankevičius | One Racing Shop – Freitron — 134 pts.
3. 59 | V. Reškevičius | Baltic Karting Academy — 115 pts.
4. 55 | R. Kvedaras | Baltic Karting Academy — 102 pts.
5. 23 | E. Gutaravičius | Kado Auto – EG/PX — 98 pts.
6. 20 | M. Silkunas | Contribee – Saily — 64 pts.
7. 28 | R. Grigaitis | JBJ Racing — 60 pts.
8. 30 | P.Degtiarenka | Contribee – Saily — 58 pts.
9. 22 | M. Griška | Kado Auto – EG/PX – 54 pts.
10. 29 | T. Jatkevičius | Fri.Tech. Racing — 50 pts.
Pilots SEMI-PRO classification
1. 55 | R. Kvedaras | Baltic Karting Academy — 102 pts.
2. 23 | E. Gutaravičius | Kado Auto – EG/PX — 98 pts.
3. 28 | R. Grigaitis | JBJ Racing — 60 pts.
4. 30 | P.Degtiarenka | Contribee – Saily — 58 pts.
5. 29 | T. Jatkevičius | Fri.Tech. Racing — 50 pts.
The next, final stage of this season’s “Mitjet Baltics” racing series will take place in Estonia, at the Pärnu track, on August 28-29.
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