2025-06-21
The main trophy of the "Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook" race awaits its new owner
On Saturday, a vibrant presentation of the biggest racing event in the Baltics — the Aurum 1006 km Powered by Hankook race, now in its 26th year — was held on Gediminas Avenue in Vilnius.
The Trophy Returns to the Organizers
The highlight of the event was the return of the race's main prize — the Challenge Trophy, which is annually handed over to the winning team. "Time flies, and with a sense of nostalgia, we are returning the trophy that we’ve proudly kept in an honorable place for the past year," said Ernesta Staponkutė, a representative of the STATETA BRO-TOKS by IGNERA team, which won the race for the second year in a row. "I believe this year, too, the strongest team will claim it, giving spectators and competitors many unforgettable moments throughout the event." Spectators and athletes at the presentation still vividly recall last year’s 25th-anniversary race triumph by Danish driver Anders Fjordbach, Julius Adomavičius, Nemunas Dagilis, and British driver Tim Whale. Driving a Mercedes-Benz AMG GT3 EVO, they completed the 1006 km (373 laps) in 8 hours, 3 minutes, and 37.833 seconds.
The Strength Lies in Consistency
“I already know who’s going to get the trophy this year,” said Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook race founder and chief organizer Darius Jonušis with a smile, accepting the trophy from E. Staponkutė. “The strongest will surely win!” Jonušis could be seen as something of an oracle — all 25 previous races have been fiercely competitive, with victory going to the most enduring teams, those with smart strategies, and well-prepared tactics.
The Formula for Success
Many attendees were curious about the key components of winning such an endurance race. Both experienced and new drivers shared their insights. “In a race like this, held in Palanga for over a quarter of a century, endurance, focus, and the driver are major factors,” said Karolis Blėdis of the Antėja Racing Team, who will race alongside Rimas Cesiulis, Vidas Gedutis, and Egidijus Gutaravičius. “If you want specifics — one-third of the success comes from the driver, one-third from the car, and the final third from sheer luck.” Perhaps the most optimistic racers were from the Kaunas Auto Sports Club, returning with the fan-favorite Lada 2104. “We’ll keep racing until we win!” declared driver Paulius Novakas, electrifying the crowd with enthusiasm. Kaunas Technical College team racer Darius Gaidulionis and media manager Austėja Dzikavičiūtė were also among those trying to decode the secrets of success. Determined to avenge last year’s disappointment, the Bio Circle & HSG by Swag team is returning with the same drivers — Mantas Matukaitis, Karolis Jovaiša, and Egidijus Gražys — and the same Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II car.
Supporting Events and Partners
Several fan-favorite events were also introduced at the presentation: the 19th Drag Races, DB drag sound system competitions, Memel Motor Fest, the Technitis/Dewalt slalom races for spectators, and more. Race sponsor Aurum (ice cream producer) handed out 1006 servings of ice cream to attendees.
"Autofortas Motors" Joins as Safety Partner
Another highlight was the presence of Autofortas Motors vehicles, prominently displayed at the event. The company is a new event partner and represents brands like Hyundai, Citroën, Suzuki, Isuzu, and KGM — all of which will serve vital roles as Safety Cars and Rescue Cars during the race. These vehicles are essential for ensuring race safety and for supporting other event services and operations.