“DeWALT GP” Saturday marked with a new track record and ton of red flags
Evaluating the Friday, the following race day did not disappoint at all. Starting with weather conditions and looking back at the car park as well as seeing the amount of proper racing – it has been an amazing Saturday! What is more, it is going to be marked in a history pages as the day, when the track record was officially broken, improving it by almost two seconds.
The V1600 and ABC Race drama
The morning begun with a drama races as they are referred to – “ABC Race” and “V1600” series have opened an event. As it must be during the drama race – battles up until final seconds of the race. Any collision and stewards decisions? Of course! It is impossible without these during these races! Nevertheless, the leaders maintained the same during both runs, the one in the morning the the 2nd one after the lunch brake. Viesturs Ozols did everything in his power to take a victory of 1600 class, followed by Ragnar Simuland and Raivis Meilands. In “ABC race”, leading chair was reserved by Daniels Ungurs. As all results (and penalties, of course), were assigned, V1600 leading trio took the podium in the same order, as it was seen during the both races. Nauris Agafonovs was the fastest among ABC Rookies, followed by Brazilian racer Thiago Carvalho. The third place reserved and confirmed by Andris Misins. Daniels Ungurs was unbeatable among more experienced ABC‘ers, followed by Nauris Agafonovs and Arturs Danilevskis.
Hot BTC1, BTC2, BTC3 races
The following racing series on the grid to show up – BTC1, BTC2 and BTC3. Well… it was hot! Some of the race moments seemed kinda personal, bringing more intrigue into the game. However, main battles where in between BTC2 class, where Simo Lind was uncatchable, even though, full gang of racers tried to do the best. Most of the battles were for the 2ns and 3rd places and lower, some newbies were trying to focus on their 1st time in Bikernieki. After the 1st run, the 2nd place was taken by Kairo Kallas, trying to get the same one during the 2nd race. However, the 2nd run was lucky to Tadas Petukauskas: he took the 3rd place during the 1st run, too, followed by new guy Kristupas Šablinskas. As for the 2nd run, he did not manage to get expected result due to technical issue with a wheel. However, the 2nd race was impressive to watch: clear overtaking without accidents or red flags! Last minute, 3rd place in here was taken by Andrius Keblys. After putting all dots to their places, the podium was taken by the following trio: Simo Lind on his beloved highest step, having Tadas Petukauskas in the 2nd place and Kairo Kallas as the 3rd. in BTC3, Emils Jakrins rode solo, taking seriously important points to a season’s point chart. The one and only lady among all these guys Lelde Jukama took the 3rd place in BTC1, having Maris Bulans as the 2nd place winner and Edgars Plonis as the best one.
The BTC4 and BGT beauties
After these guys – even more horse power on track, brought by incredibly beautiful beasts. On the grid here – Lamborghini, Porsche, Mercedes Benz, BMW’s, TCR’s!… What a view and especially, the sound! Real desert for car lovers.
Even though the qualifying was quite short due to MB accident, the top of the grid seemed just like it had to be. No doubt here – the Pole position was reserved by the duo of Arturs Bartraks and Lamborghini. So, he was fastest during both races, assuring the 1st place in “BGT PRO”. 2nd place here during the 1st race was taken by Lukas Laukaitis, as Karolis Stasiukynas was trying to fight his way back from the back of the grid. During the second run, and in overall, he was already 2nd, keeping Lukas Laukaitis on the 3rd step of the podium.
In “Porsche 992” class, all questions were left aside and no changes during both runs: 1st place assured by Egidijus Gražys, 2nd taken by Tautvydas Rudokas, and the 3rd won by Vidas Gedutis.
Checking the results of “BGT AM” class, it might seem as quite a race without drama. Actually, it was far away from that! Even though Jyrki Jonkkari kept the 1st place, it was quite a fight with Rokas Kvedaras, trying Porsche Cayman seat for the 1st time. He said, it was quite interesting and comfortable at the same time. The 3rd place here was taken by Egidijus Gelūnas and Cupra. Quite a weekend for this guy: some collision, some broken windows and a long list of races.
As for BTC4 class, no changes here during both runs: 1st place assured by Arturs Simins, followed by Henrikas Statkus.
The diamond of BaTCC – BMW’s 325
We cannot imagine BaTCC without BMW 325 Cup already, and this time – 31 car enrolled to fight for the victory! Did any of the races have red flags and collisions? No doubt! The biggest one mixing all the cards was provoked by Artjoms Koclamazasvilli, as he came to fast into the corner and made an unsafe comeback to the track. One of the leaders Matiss Malinovskis lost serious positions here along with Julius Kiršis, dropping out of the game. Ricards Subeckis maintained the leading position, managing to run away from all the drama, driving far away in front of all the other gang. Krisjanis Oskerko assured the 2nd place right behind the Ricards. Uldis Timaks was 3rd overall.
Matiss Mezaks was fastest among the racers in Masters category keeping Uldis Timaks and Janis Horeliks behind.
Vytis Kulikauskas took the 3rd place as a Rookie, Eividas Sitavičius was the 2nd here, having Arturs Sarma as a winner. As for the Gentlemen group, Olivier Villeneuve took the 3rd position and Vilnis Batraks took a leading chair, keeping Normunds Dobums in the 2nd place.
Historical breeze with formulas
Next ones on the grid – quite a breeze from the past: historic formulas, nice mixture of Formula Easter and Mondial. Fragile formulas had some technical issues, and the leader Raitis Murnieks expecting for a nice battle, second run had something unexpected: his wheel broke and he wasn‘t able to reach the finish line, losing the positions. All points counted, the best in Mondial class was Taavi Kuul, Rob Moores took the 2nd place and Raitis took the 3rd. Kalev Nurmik was the best in Easter class, followed by Italo Alsins and Ekke-Taavi Sepper.
Amazing Nankang Endurance Academy race
The cherry on the cake, traditionally this season already – the Nankang Endurance race with 23 teams on a grid! Nice mixture of cars, some technical issues and, of course, sweet victories. Bad luck for the Pole position owners “DMK Racing Team”, as their Audi had issues with engine and they dropped down. However, the number 15 – “Reimpex-Capkauskas autocentras” with one driver Egidijus Gelūnas behind the wheel kept going up until the final seconds of the race, being the best among all the teams and taking the victory in BGT AM class. “Orlen Lietuva – Jauda” had to drop out due to technical issues with gear box and “Dvaras Racing” had an accident and broke the radiator and all pipes so had to leave race early, too. Simo Lind (“Lind Racing” team) and “Win Strategy by KTK Racing” had a collision, forcing Simo to gather needed laps for qualifying and to drop out from the fight. As for the BMW of KTK, they kept going till the end. However, quite a number of teams made a mistake counting the time for mandatory pit stop, and a long list of penalties came for that matter.
At the end of two hours of battles, the best ones of “DeWALT Grand Prix” were clarified. “REIMPEX-CAPKAUSKAS Autocentras” team was followed by newbies, “Porsche Baltic” team, and “DMK Racing Team” with Audi managed to classify maintaining the 3rd place among BGT AM participants. In BTC4, team “222” with VW Scirocco managed to take the 3rd place, allowing “Diesel power” in front of them and “HEMI Racing by Statomenas” kept the 1st place, trying to stay out of trouble during all race. “Reinup Motorsport” was the fastest in BTC3, having “RS Racing Team” as the 3rd and “Win Strategy by KTK Racing” as the 2nd place winners.
As for BMW 325 Cup class, “Papa’s Saciksu komanda/GD Auto” took a victory out of “Rent325cup.com by KTK” hands and in BTC2 “Autokaslita” was faster than “Fri.tech. Racing Team” that kept having technical issues all day long. “ACAP Racing by Joujaam” won the 3rd place in BTC1, overtaken by “Jurmala/Papa’s Saciksu Komanda” and “MKM Racing”, holding the 1st place and being the best this round.
What’s next? Next on the plate we have “Kaunas Grand Prix”, getting all together back to “Nemuno žiedas“ track on the 6th and 7th of July!
See you there!
