2018-07-16
“Gera Dovana Drift” Race Track in Palanga: One of the Most Challenging
On July 20, Friday night, immediately after the “Aurum 1006 km Race”, here will be held the the fourth stage of the Lithuanian PRO League Championship of Drift.
The top-level racers who had an experience with bolides in high speed tracks, side slides in Palanga may come across as easy. Narrow turns and sudden spins do not make racers happy as it is one of the hardest Championship tracks requiring for a scrupulously preparation before hand.
Painful Route
One of the leaders of the Lithuanian Championship of Drift, Benediktas Čirba, reminisces the last year’s race in Palanga with a bad feeling: his car broke down to pieces.
“Route in Palanga is a complex and non-standard type. PRO League Races often take place in the closed tracks because the top-level cars glide sideways in much higher speeds than others.
The Route in Palanga is secure. However, its configuration is difficult: acceleration in the hill, a sudden stop, turn around in a narrow space must be considered. If you want to maintain the side slide, you have to kick the clutch, all of this resulting in the extreme pressure for a car.”, explains B. Čirba.
Using Top-Level Car for the Slow Route
This year, he races in an entirely new bolide produced by BMW E46 body. Some people say that there is no other car in Lithuanian Championship of Drift. Benediktas does not speak of it as he only offers to judge it for ourselves.
In this season, Lithuanian racer participates in the prestigious European drift competitions. Yet the newest reducer is not enough to compete as equal in such competitions.
“Behind this BMW engine hood, there is a removed 2JZ GE engine from “Lexus GS300”. Now it reaches the speed of 750 AG and 900 Nm of torque. PRO level needs a lot of AG and semi-slick tires to be able to reach a high speed. We have to control slowing downs, sideways and other components of racing”, says B. Čirba.
He laughs that the only kept standard car details are the front and rear turn lights, and bonnet hinges. Most of the parts are produced in the Lithuanian companies: “Individual Racing Parts” and “Samsonas Motorsport”.
Lithuanian Viewers Need to Grow
Benedict’s car has top-level assay which allows him to compete in the drifting events all around Europe.
“Even though I do not particularly enjoy the route in Palanga, the atmosphere of it all makes it all worthwhile. A lot of people come to watch our competition as it is a big part of the event. However, the Lithuanian viewers have something to learn from the Europeans.
We are very modest by sitting and watching the race. While the foreigners intrude the technical area and ask for autographs. I am open. You do not need to be afraid of us, the racers”, states B. Čirba.
The best drifters of “Aurum 1006 km Race” in Palanga will compete on July 19 and July 20. The “Gera dovana Drift” will be held on July 19 at 6 p.m.–10:30 p.m. whilst the qualifying races will take place on July 20 at 7 p.m.–7:50 p.m. and the competition will be at 10 p.m.–10:30 p.m.