2025-07-03
The “Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook” race will be enriched by the Memel Motor Fest – an exhibition of exceptional cars
It has become a wonderful tradition that the entertainment programme of the “Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook” race is enhanced by the Memel Motor Fest – an exhibition of truly exceptional cars.
This festival goes far beyond the concept of a traditional exhibition. It’s not just an opportunity to admire unique four-wheelers – vehicles with extraordinary origins or histories in Lithuania – but also to see them in motion, parading through the streets of Palanga and the surrounding resort areas, ultimately converging at the traditional gathering spot for car enthusiasts – the Palanga-Kretinga viaduct.
This year, the eleventh Memel Motor Fest parade of exceptional cars will start at 12:00 p.m. on 19 July, culminating with an award ceremony for the top five winners on the main stage at 7:00 p.m. on the same day.
“I believe a car can be called exceptional if, when you see it, you instinctively turn your head and follow it with your eyes,” says Edmundas Dargis, coordinator of Memel Motor Fest. “And there’s certainly no shortage of such cars in Palanga during the “Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook” race.”
What can visitors expect this year at the eleventh edition of Memel Motor Fest – the largest event of its kind in Lithuania’s biggest summer resort?
“We can’t name all the participants just yet, as registration is still ongoing,” says Dargis. “But we can already guarantee – there will be plenty to feast your eyes on.” One of the main attractions will be a 1965 Shelby Cobra, a rare 1967 Ford Mustang, and other unique vehicles restored by the specialists at 1323 Garage.
Deivydas Butkus, inspired by the recent successful presentation of the “Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook” race on Gediminas Avenue in Vilnius, will showcase his fully restored 1989 Volkswagen Caddy Mk1 pickup, which was ranked among the Top 10 most beautiful cars at the event.
Among the other Top 10 were:
- Ignas Giedraitis’ Jaguar XJS
- Kastytis Bakanauskas’ Cadillac
- Vytautas Meškis’ Cadillac DeVille Grandeur
- Ernestas Žalalis’ Audi 5000
- Povilas Aniulis’ Dodge Viper RT/10
- Julius Puidokas’ Bentley
- Gaudrimas Rakickas’ replica of the Volkswagen Vento from Fast and Furious
- Martynas Kieras’ Citroën
- Greta Kuliušaitė’s BMW E38
Photos by Vytautas Pilkauskas and Andrius Laucius