2026-01-20
Teams are already registering for the “Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook”: “Probably it’s a habit to be first”
At the beginning of January the organizers announced the start of registration for the 27th endurance race in Palanga, and very soon the first team application arrived. The organizers of the “Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook” race say that some things do not change for years and that is certainly pleasing, since the first team to submit an application to participate has been the same for many years.
Rimas Cesiulis, driver and leader of the “Antėja Racing Team”, says with a smile that it has become a certain habit: “Probably it’s a habit to be first since long ago. Previously, we weren’t alone in competing to register as early as possible and thus secure a better spot for the team in the pits.”
Now, according to the racer, fewer teams participate in this kind of competition during registration and he raises a rhetorical question that maybe teams are preparing differently?
After all, earlier registration for the race also means the opportunity to choose a better position for the team in the paddock and pits.
Doesn’t rule out the possibility of an adventure
Asked to recall how many times he has started in the “Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook” races, Rimas Cesiulis said that it is already difficult to count. The athlete, who debuted in the Palanga race more than two decades ago, missed only one start due to a car that was crashed at the time.
There were also many different cars during his long racing career: R. Cesiulis began racing on the Palanga track with a third‑generation VW Golf, followed by a VW Beetle that caught everyone’s attention, otherwise simply called the bug.
Later, the “Antėja Racing Team” driver raced a four‑door BMW, and later moved to a coupe from the same manufacturer, but both were diesel‑powered.
Over time, the racing veteran and the team decided to step up to a faster car. The upcoming race will be the third time that this team will compete with one of the most popular cars seen on the 1006 km track – the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup 992. By the way, throughout the history of the “Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook” race, it is the Porsche that has earned the most victories.
Asked whether he has thoughts ever return to racing a diesel car, R. Cesiulis was open: “We don’t dismiss such adventures. Participating in that fiesta is enjoyable both with a Porsche and with a diesel, but when participating with a Porsche there is greater competition and it encourages a greater desire to take part and win.
When driving a diesel‑powered car that was missing. Now the team also needs to put in more work, but when you win something the taste of victory is even sweeter.”
Team will start with the ambition to bring home the trophy
Speaking about ambitions before the start, the racer didn’t beat around the bush: “We all go with the thought of bringing home the trophy, because even the champagne tastes better when standing on the podium, and if you don’t win you feel like you didn’t do something.
And after last year’s race – we drew conclusions, we will try to correct the mistakes that we saw and we will try to do better than we did last year.”
Recalling his more than twenty starts in the “Aurum 1006 km powered by Hankook”, R. Cesiulis admitted that he misses the times when the cars were different: “The first start, the first laps, you feel the petrol, the smell of brake pads – it was something. I miss that. I even miss the mechanics’ work in the pits.
Now the cars are modern, fast, do not break down. Now money races too. Before we would race about ten hours, now the race lasts about eight. Because of that, of course, we also made the decision about the new car.”
The biggest and most prominent endurance race in Palanga will take place this year from July 15 to 18, and ticket sales and team registration are already open.