2026-07-17
Top ten confirmed as Super Pole drivers chase the circuit record
The Super Pole shootout – arguably the highlight of Friday's programme at the Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook race – delivered an exciting battle as the ten fastest teams from qualifying fought for the best starting positions. After a thrilling 15-minute session, last year's race winners once again proved to be the fastest, securing pole position and claiming the trophy presented by Lithuania's Minister of Transport and Communications.
"Over the past few years, since the Balance of Performance system was introduced, we've rarely known who would win the race until the final laps. It's great to see that even in qualifying, which doesn't necessarily decide the outcome of the race, the competitors give everything and are willing to take risks. That creates a fantastic spectacle for the spectators," said Aurum 1006 km race organiser Darius Jonušis after the session.
"Without the competitors, there would be no event. They are the ones who create the excitement and the connection with the fans. I wish them all the best tomorrow and hope the rain doesn't prevent them from reaching the finish line," said Lithuania's Minister of Transport and Communications, Juras Taminskas, who also thanked the organisers for their many years of dedication to staging the race. The minister added that attending the event has become a long-standing family tradition.
The fastest lap of the Super Pole session was set by Karolis Jovaiša of the Bio-Circle & HSG by SWAG team, who stopped the clock at 1:05.753. Simas Juodviršis of RINVEST by Juta Racing secured second place with a lap of 1:06.215, while Paulius Paškevičius of Energija by RD Signs Racing completed the top three with a time of 1:06.869.
Reflecting on his performance, Jovaiša admitted that the session was far from straightforward.
"After about the sixth lap, the tyres started to wear and the car became more difficult to control. I thought it wouldn't get any faster, but it kept improving all the way until the final lap. That was because the circuit itself was getting quicker as well. I think it was a very good qualifying session."
Jovaiša's best lap came remarkably close to the circuit record, which has belonged to Denmark's Anders Fjordbach since 2024. On that occasion, he completed the 2.682-kilometre endurance circuit in 1:05.299.
Based on Friday's qualifying results, the competitors will line up on the starting grid at 12:00 noon on Saturday for the start of the Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook race. Over the course of the event, the crews will complete 373 laps, covering a total distance of 1,006 kilometres. Last year's winners completed the race in 8 hours, 14 minutes and 53.201 seconds.
Photos: Vytautas Pilkauskas and Andrius Lauciaus.