Commenting on the peculiarities of this year’s race, the tireless track architect Edvinas Vašteris assured that the most important task is to optimally compose the “windows” of special stages, passages between them, and the service zone, to ensure the necessary safety for athletes and spectators. The “Kelmės ASK” team has been doing this without interruption for the second decade and therefore hopes that this time they will succeed in raising the rally quality bar by at least one notch.
Perhaps the most attention-grabbing feature is the special stages, which are longer than usual in recent years. The so-called “Power stage” will feature as many as 26 kilometers. All this means that athletes who constantly take care of their physical condition and are able to maintain concentration for a long time have more chances to triumph in the rally.
Sharing recommendations for spectators, E. Vašteris assured that they only need to carefully study the start times of individual special stages and evaluate their closing times (1 hour before the start of the sports channel). Everything else is quite well known from previous races. The mentioned bigger news is the 1/3 SS “NEO Drive”, which starts in Stulgiai and finishes near Laplėgiai village. The length of the special stage is 5.25 kilometers, and the most conveniently accessible and visually rich places are near Pamergiai.
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The second 9.39 km long “Dacia” SS caravan visits every year, so spectators undoubtedly know the best rally viewing spots near the so-called quarry or near Žibuokliai village.
The 4/6 SS dedicated to the memory of Tomas Savickas near Kražiai is one of the best-rated in the entire Lithuanian Rally Championship. Most of the public gathers near Lenkviečiai village, from where a very long section of the track is perfectly visible. Near Burniai village – two “jumping” jumps.
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The 5th SS “NEO Speed” will be almost 6 km long and can also be considered a “Rally Žemaitija” novelty with convenient access to Frankpolis village, where a sharp right turn awaits the racers.
The 7th SS is named after “Čapkauskas Autocenter” with the famous “Firantas jump” near Maldaginė village. The length of this special stage is 16.6 km. Athletes will also complete this last section and move on to the final SS 8 “NEO Taksi Final Rush” endurance test, as with an additional track section to Galiniai mound, the special stage extends to 26 km.
E. Vašteris notes that SS 7 and 8 will be closed simultaneously, so spectators should plan their logistics more carefully. The organizers also strongly request to follow the instructions of safety officers and competition commissioners, who check the entire track by driving “Dacia” cars just before the start of the race.
