The Baltic Touring Car Championship continues in Riga
The DeWALT Grand Prix in Bikernieki race track will host the second round of the Baltic Touring Car Championship and there are many intrigues and questions that will be solved on the track!
“Riga is always a special place in our calendar. This year we have only one race in Bikernieki so I am quite sure the racing on the track will be spectacular with interesting battles for racers and the fans. We are also very excited about the Kalana record breaking attempt – that will be a nice cherry on top for everyone. See you in Riga!” says Andis Meilands, organizer of the BaTCC series.
The absolute track record (1:14.093 is targeted by the Estonian motorsport team led by driver Tonis Vanaselja. The team has built a racing prototype “Kalana” with a carbon fiber monocoque, weighing only 910 kg and equipped with a 600 hp, specially tuned “Judd V8” engine. Will the record be beaten? We will know on the afternoon of June 15th.
The BMW 325 CUP is a brand in Baltic motorsports map and predictions in this race are nearly impossible. Latvian racer Ricards Subeckis dominated the opening round with two victories. So he is the leader of the standings aswell followed by Lithuanians – Paulius Urbonavicius and Julius Kirsis. But don’t rule out also the local Latvians Uldis Timaks and Matiss Malinovskis who will be fast in their home track. But there might be aswell dark horse who could surprise everyone.
A proper Baltic clash is expected in the BTC2 class sprint races. Where more than 10 participants are expected. And most of them want to beat the champ Simo Lind who dominated round 1. Andrius Keblys, Kasparas Skyrelis, Kairo Kallas, Agnius Narbutas and many other names among challengers. Maybe we can also await return of some former champions. Two cars so far have entered the BTC1 competition, both from Latvia – Lelde Jukama and Maris Bulans with an interesting VAZ 2101 race car.
Quite huge and international grid is awaiting us in the V1600 and ABC Race with around 20 cars expected. V1600 standings is lead by Estonian Ragnar Simuland who had two race wins in Porsche Ring. Riga race might not be that easy as two fast Latvians are preparing to win the DeWALT GP – beware of Viesturs Ozols and Raivis Meilands. While ABC Race is hard to predict as the lottery completely shuffles the cards and makes it very hard for faster guys to be in the front right away. Series lead by Mareks Matvejevs (43 points), followed by Nauris Agafonovs (40) and Arturs Danilevskis (28).
The GT class will be a dessert for motorsports fans with many iconic cars – starting from GT3 spec Mercedes-Benz and Porsche “GT3 CUP 992” spec race cars and many other factory or home-made cars. The absolute race winner from previous round Leo Messenger will not take part but remember names like Egidijus Grazys, Tautvydas Rudokas, Karolis Stasiukynas and some others who will gladly take the P1 spot at the end of the races. There might be a surprise entry from some very fast Latvian racer.
Nankang 2h Endurance will feature a very wide choice of cars for lovers of every kind of vehicles. “DMK Racing Team” with Audi RS3 LMS car won the round 1 followed by Baltic Karting Academy and Pols Racing. During two hour long racing on a hot summer evening many things can happen and the race will be very interesting. Buckle up!
Formula Historic will join us for the second time this season. And the battle royale will be among Raitis Murnieks, local hero and the fast Estonian Taavi Kuul. 13 cars so far have entered the competition and some more are expected.
Thursday will be dedicated for testing sessions. Friday will be testing, free practice and Qualifying day, while Saturday will be dedicated for racing!
Race broadcast will be available on BaTCC Facebook or YouTube account.
