2022-07-14
First practice sessions at the “Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook” racetrack
Immediately after the parade and the opening of the event on Vytautas Street in Palanga, the drivers returned to the racetrack and started their first training session.
It took place on a dry track and in good racing weather, and the 20-degree heat did not affect the drivers or overheat their engines.
"The GBY by JR Motorsport“ team consisting of Rokas Baciuška, Justas Jonušis and Vilius Kibildis are driving a BMW M4 Silhoutte.
On the 26th lap, the vehicle reached an average speed of 132.41 km/h and completed the lap in 1 minute. 12.920 seconds.
Just 0.451 seconds behind the lead was the “Dutch Strack Racing By JR Motorsport” team, led by Joost Ursem, whose drivers Steve Vanbellingen, Ted van Vilet and Bas Schouten drive the four-litre “BMW E92 M3” and compete in the SP4 class. In third place we have the “Estonian KSB Racing by Jõujaam” team, who brought a “2018 Ford Madstang” with a 7-litre engine. It is driven by Finnish drivers Raimo "Ransu" Kesseli, Magnus "Mankka" Collin and Markku Blomqvist, who is making his debut in Palanga. Fourth was another Estonian team, “Jõujaam”, racing with a “BMW E36”. 1min. 10.841sec. - The “Porsche Baltic GT3” team of Robertas Kupčikas, Rokas Kvaraciejus and Tautvydas Rudokas completed the lap in a near-record time. Four other teams were able to fit into the 1 minute, 11 and a few milliseconds. So, the pace is picking up and the competition is getting tougher. It will get even more serious tomorrow with another practice session and the qualifying race that will culminate in the battle for the first starting position in Saturday's race.
Photos by Vytautas PILKAUSKAS and Andrius LAUCIUS