Exciting, fun and clean racing in Lithuania
The Kaunas race in Nemuno Ziedas race track always provides exciting racing and this time also very nice emotions after the race with everyone smiling and enjoying the nice atmosphere.
More than 90 participants lined up on the starting grid for the third round of Baltic Touring Car Championship and Nankang 2h Endurance race.
The day started with Lithuanian B series race, where both victories went to Karolis Bledis.
The BMW 325 CUP had the second race of the day and probably the most anticipated one after eventful last rounds. Ramunas Grigaitis started from pole followed by Leo Messenger. But the biggest winner on the first lap was Ricards Subeckis gaining three positions after starting six. And in few laps he attacked successfully Leo Messenger on the famous chicane and went after Grigaitis. In mid race Subeckis was first and started building gap. P2 went to Grigaitis, third to Messenger. Fourth Julius Kirsis (and the fastest Master), fifth – Romet Reisin followed by Paulius Urbonavicius.
Race 2 was with a similar scenario – Messenger started from Pole, Subeckis from second and by second half of the first lap Subeckis was first and again building the distance to others. Nice battle occurred for the second place between Grigaitis and Messenger, but Messenger got the upper hand at the finish, closely followed by another group of pilots – Urbonavicius, Reisin and Kirsis. In overall first place to Subeckis, second Messenger and third Grigaitis. Masters top three – Julius Kirsis, Donatas Jucius and Artjoms Koclamazasvili. Rookies – Karl Lang, Eividas Sitavicius and Arturs Sarma. Gentlemen – first place to Atis Veismanis, followed by Olivier Villneuve and Normunds Dobums. Ladies – Emilija Ulvydaite was the best one today, although Erika Arkusauskaite showed good pace.
BTC3 Qualifying results showed that the race will be very interesting with a lot of cars showing similar pace. And the races did not disappoint. Although, Gediminas Bilinskas had good pace and fast lap times, he could not rest for one bit as he had good chasing group consisting of Vaidas Budrys, Arturas Kliobavicius, Justas Gudavicius and Tomas Jatkevicius, who started race 1 from the back of the grid. At the end of the day both victories and first place in the round goes to Bilinskas, second place to Budrys and third to Tomas Jatkevicius.
BTC2 had 9 entries to the event and close gaps all across the field. Tadas Petukauskas had to defend hard in the first lap against Simo Lind, who was attacked by Antti Jartsev. The battle resulted in technical problems for Jartsev who had to retire from the first race. Race 1 was won by Petukauskas, second Simo Lind and third place goes to Vygantas Januskis. Second race also had its intrigues. Petukauskas got away, while Lind was battling with Andrius Keblys. Lind got past by Keblys and soon after Petukauskas had some technical issues that allowed to Lind take the victory in Race 2. Second place in the race to the newcomer Vygantas Januskis, third to fast charging Jartsev. In round overall Top 3 – Lind, Petukauskas, Januskis.
BTC1 where in the qualifying two fastest cars were divided by just 0,001 sec, Dovydas Akstinas got past Audrius Liutkevicius and had the pace to finish first comfortably in both races. Second place to Liutkevicius, third to Vidmantas Pociunas.
V1600 class had Raivis Meilands securing two dominant victories in both races, beating Elvis Turans and Arvids Rumbens.
23 cars lined up on the Nankang 2h Endurance race, first row was occupied by Soderus Racing and Reinup Motorsport. But the lead after the start was quickly taken by Capkauskas Autocentras team, who charged from fourth on the grid. Technical problems messed up the charge and Soderus Racing took back the lead followed by Reinup Motorsport and Lind Racing. By the finish flag and 76 laps and some safety car moments, the top 3 overall was following – Soderus Racing, Diesel Power and Capkauskas autocentras Racing. Soderus Racing also took the 1st place in BTC4 category, Capkauskas Autocentras Racing second and Autoralis taking the third step of the podium.
BTC3 class had record high entries – 8 teams were ready to battle for top positions. Reinup Motorsport had great pace in the Q and converted that into great lead but technical issues forced the team to retire after 53 laps. The victory went to seasoned veterans Diesel Power that managed to keep the RS Racing Team and Dvaras Racing behind.
Nemuno Ziedas is not kind to race cars and forces various problems for cars and drivers, thus making the races more unpredictable – Lind Racing had good lead, but Race.Attack was always close and readymade to strike and used his chance to take the lead and finish the race first. Autokaslita second and Lind Racing third.
BTC1 had also a season high number of entries – 3 and hope that stays like this. DMK Racing team had the ultimate pace and was leading comfortably in the class, but 2h is a long ride and technical issues forced the team to stop after 35 laps. The lead was taken by home team Lenktyniu Inzinerija, second to Estonian brothers MKM Racing.
BMW 325 CUP this time had only 2 entries, but victory doesnt come easy here also – EST1 racing with Romet Reisin by the wheel managed the race and secured the victory over Dream 2 Drive team.
ABC Race guys did not take it easy and the big crash for JV Racing Academy proves that, hope that the car will be back soon. Team Jap Factory took the victory, with Zabaki racing in second place.
Thanks to all participants, marshals and everyone involved!
The fourth round of the Baltic Touring Car Championship will take place on Porsche Ring from 18 to 20 August.
