2026-07-18
Race leaders forced out at halfway point of the Aurum 1006 km race
The 27th Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook race got underway on a damp circuit under light rain, but within the opening 100 laps the weather proved highly unpredictable, with passing showers at times turning into heavy downpours. One of those rain showers ultimately changed the course of the race for two of the leading teams.
The drama began on the very first lap when the Super Pole-winning Bio-Circle & HSG by SWAG team was forced to return to the pits after developing brake problems. The mechanics quickly sent the car back out, only for it to return again with the same issue. After the second stop, the technical problems were finally resolved, but the reigning champions, who had arrived determined to defend their title, found themselves almost ten laps behind the race leaders.
"We're slowly climbing back up the order. We had a very unfortunate start – we lost the brakes, came into the pits to bleed the system, went back out, then the problem returned and we had to stop again. After that Karolis Jovaiša took over, then I got behind the wheel. The rain keeps changing from light to heavy, but overall we're satisfied," said Bio-Circle & HSG by SWAG driver Egidijus Gražys.
During the second hour of the race, another major incident occurred when Max Tubben lost control of the ConnectPay-BMW Kestauto Powered by SONAX car on the downhill section leading onto the start/finish straight and crashed into the barriers. Although the damage initially appeared severe, the team's mechanics repaired the car remarkably quickly. The incident dropped the team well down the order to 15th overall, but they continue to lead the SP3 class.
The biggest drama of the race unfolded on lap 123, when Markus Kajak of the OVOKO Dream 2 Drive team collided with the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 of Energija by RD Signs Racing, which was leading the race at the time. Kajak was driving a Porsche GT3 Cup when the incident occurred.
Returning to the pits, Lamborghini driver Paulius Paškevičius made no attempt to hide his disappointment and frustration. He confirmed that the team would not even try to repair the car and return to the race, as their only objective had been victory. The decision reflected the team's performance up to that point – they had taken the race lead on lap 113 before seeing their challenge end with a heavily damaged car.
OVOKO Dream 2 Drive also saw its hopes of victory disappear. Driver Tauras Tunyla said the mechanics would almost certainly be able to repair the Porsche, but admitted the team's ambitions had changed dramatically.
"Just a week ago our original car rolled six times in Poland, so we had to find another car to compete here. Our mechanics are definitely capable of repairing this one as well, but today we came here to fight for victory and kept collecting laps. Now we can no longer think about winning."
With 230 laps remaining, the RIMO Adero & LKU.LT team leads the race in its Porsche GT3 Cup. The driving line-up consists of Mantas Janavičius, Marius Bartkus and Benjamin Barker.
Away from the main race, visitors to the festival can also enjoy the Decibel Drag competition, the Exclusive Cars Motor Fest exhibition and a variety of other entertainment throughout the race village. Meanwhile, the Orlen Spectators' Slalom remains open to anyone wishing to test their driving skills, with a special prize available for competitors who complete their runs on the wet surface.
Photos: Vytautas Pilkauskas and Andrius Laucius.