2022-07-15
"Olybet 108 km Women's Challenge participants look for the best route to the finish
The race, which has become a major attraction for women and not only for women, has attracted the interest of the sponsor and has slightly updated its name - the “Olybet 108 km Women's Challenge”.
Tomas Palevičius, the head of the betting company said - "Motorsport has a big fan following and our goal is to be where the fans are and be part of the action. Women's sport is one of our strategic areas of focus, as they are not only professional but also just as exciting, which is what I hope to see at this race."
The excitement was already flowing on Friday at the start line, where 97 women's crews gathered. The organisers have increased the chances of winning by introducing many more standings.
The biggest innovation is the anniversary standings, where the organisers have restricted the competition to female crew members, at least one of whom has participated in the event for the fifth year in a row, or for as long as the race has been running.
Only three crews are competing in this classification – “Jonava B.O.M.B.A”. - Rasa Juknevičienė, Aušra Bakšinskaitė, team captain Brigita Žliobienė, Agnė Janionytė and Milda Balčiūnaitė driving a “Volvo S60”, “Geri Genai” - Gabrielė and Jonė Aleksynaitė and Renata Mosiejūtė driving a “Seat Leon” and “Ladies Power” - Rita Sabaitė, Jurgita Raulušaitienė, Simona Ludavičiūtė and Lina Juonytė in a “Mazda CX5”.
The “Olybet 108 km Women's Challenge” sees the debut of the Audi RS3, which is well known to drivers from the “Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook” race, with the starting number 71. This is the “Circle K Racing Team Women's by Autojuta”, a team of four ladies: Inga Mitkutė, Marta Gliožerytė, Vaida Raicevičienė and Dovilė Pankevičienė. The first Ukrainian women's team, the two Olenas Rozhkova and Ovcharenko, who are taking part in the rally for the first time, and who will be driving to the finish in a “Mercedes Benz ML63”, deserved the greatest respect of the spectators and the competitors alike.
The race will cover 300 km, 108 km of which will be dedicated to special events and special stages. “The Olybet 108 km Women's Challenge” will start on the main “Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook” course and after the finish late on Friday evening, the winners and runners-up will be honoured on the event's big stage.
Photos by Vytautas PILKAUSKAS and Andrius LAUCIUS