2026-07-08
Long-Awaited Upgrades to the Aurum 1006 km Race Paddock
With just over a week remaining until the largest motorsport event in the Baltics, the Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook race, heavy machinery was at work near the entrance to Palanga.
This year, one of the most important areas of the temporary race village-the paddock-has undergone a significant upgrade. Thanks to a partnership with YIT Lietuva, the surface has been renovated to eliminate puddles and uneven ground after rainfall, providing a more comfortable environment for both participants and spectators.
The paddock is the heart of the event, where all racing teams are based, vehicle servicing and repairs take place, team presentations and partner events are held, and fans can experience the behind-the-scenes atmosphere of the race up close. Every year, this area becomes a temporary home for hundreds of team members and guests.
"For many years we heard feedback from participants and spectators about the paddock surface. We realized that if we wanted the race village to grow alongside the event itself, we needed to find a long-term solution. We are delighted that, together with YIT Lietuva, we were able to make it happen. We are grateful for their valuable contribution and believe that both teams and visitors will notice the improvement immediately this year. As the temporary race village is built for the 27th time, we want it to become increasingly comfortable, higher quality, and leave an even better impression on everyone who visits," says Darius Jonušis, organizer of the Aurum 1006 km race.
Although the construction work itself took only two days, preparation required considerably more time.
The main challenge was not the surface itself, but designing an effective rainwater drainage system. Using a 3D-guided motor grader, the entire area was shaped with the necessary slopes to ensure efficient water runoff. The project required specialized equipment, including a grader, roller, water truck, eight dump trucks, and a team of six specialists. Around twenty truckloads of sand and reclaimed milled asphalt were delivered to the site.
"The biggest challenge was the engineering solution—finding the right way to direct rainwater away from the site to prevent flooding and standing water. Using a 3D motor grader, we shaped the entire area with the correct gradients to ensure proper drainage. While the work itself took only two days, preparation took much longer. We have completed similar projects before using reclaimed milled asphalt, including foundation work for the Christmas ice arenas in Klaipėda and Šilutė. It is an excellent and sustainable solution," says Akvilė Varanauskienė, Head of Public Relations at YIT Lietuva.
This partnership symbolically brings together two long-standing traditions. This year, YIT Lietuva celebrates its 60th anniversary, while the Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook race will take place in Palanga for the 27th time. According to A. Varanauskienė, long-term cooperation and partnerships built on trust are among the company's core values, making the opportunity to contribute to improving the quality of the event a natural extension of this philosophy.
Photos: Event organizers