2025-11-20
27th Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook race – July 15–18, 2026
Just a few months ago, the 26th “Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook” race finished in Palanga, and awards were handed out to the fastest competitors. As usual, as soon as the race circuit regains its public road status, the organizers of the speed and entertainment festival – VšĮ “1000 km lenktynės” – begin preparing for next year’s start.
Today, the date of next year’s event is already clear, and the organizers invite everyone to mark it in their calendars while planning the upcoming year: the 27th marathon car race in Lithuania’s biggest summer resort will take place on July 15–18, 2026.
As every year, the event date was chosen in coordination with the Lithuanian Automobile Sport Federation as well as several European race organizers so that drivers can plan their participation on different tracks.
“It’s still too early to talk about innovations or other decisions we’ll make to offer an even better experience for both spectators and racers, but the date is already set and agreed upon,” says Darius Jonušis, the main organizer of the “Aurum 1006 km” race.
“The last race was washed by a massive downpour, and we faced many challenges, but the first five races were also marked by extreme weather conditions. I think this might be a symbolic turning point – this year was the 26th race, marking the start of the second quarter-century. Only now we face this chapter with far more experience and maturity, both personally and as organizers. As always, I await the next race with joy—and a bit of nervous anticipation.”
Palanga’s mayor, Šarūnas Vaitkus, an active supporter of the event and its participants, described the “Aurum 1006 km” race like this: “This is not just a competition. It is a fiesta where speed, passion, cutting-edge technologies and togetherness come together. It is a celebration where professionals and enthusiasts, fans and families meet – everyone who wants to feel the true spirit of motorsport up close.”
Expanding on the event’s significance, D. Jonušis highlights one of its most important missions and values: the organizers’ effort to promote road-safety awareness and responsibility—from the youngest spectators to their parents.
Throughout the event’s history, children have had the opportunity to receive their first road-safety lessons in specially set-up safe driving classrooms. The organizers of the 1000 km race were the first in mass events to use special stands demonstrating how seat belts work in extreme situations. Each year, hundreds of visitors try their skills in the increasingly popular “Technitis” spectator slalom, which will enter its second decade next year.
“What delights me most is that the children we saw in those road-safety classes ten years ago are now achieving victories not only in Lithuania but also in European karting and circuit racing—and even in the Dakar desert rally. This means that not only the racing arenas but also the roads of our country have gained more responsible, safer drivers who understand the limits of safe speed,” says D. Jonušis, who considers road-safety education an integral part of the “Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook” race.
Photos by Vytautas Pilkauskas and Andrius Laucius.