The most impressive final of this stage took place in the performance of the 1600 saloon car class. Four cars entered the battle, which were able to provide nerve-wracking moments during the drive. The experienced autocross driver Juris Narubins took the leading position, but a little later he was disappointed by a technical problem – a broken wheel. Despite this, the athlete continued to fight and reached the finish last, driving only on a “bare” disc. Narubin, losing speed, was taken over by Đirts Kuzmanis, who, shortly before the finish of the final race, got closer to the aforementioned athlete by a lap. As a result of the overtaking maneuver, Kuzmanis entered the tires, five meters before the finish line. The athlete was forced to switch back and, in order not to lose time, reached the finish line in reverse. This was the first victory for Đirt Kuzman, which will be remembered for a long time, the second position was achieved by Andis Kļava, and the third by Justs Grencis.
Girts Kuzmanis, winner of the 1600 saloon car class: ”Such a finish is something unprecedented in the Latvian autocross championship. I have been striving for this achievement for five years, now it has happened! I overdid it a bit before the finish, I shouldn’t have “carried” past Narubina, but I’m very happy that everything turned out this way. I have to say I’m in shock because I had trouble shifting into reverse all day, but I managed to do it in the final. The track was prepared perfectly, no potholes, great speed in the last race of the day. Thanks to everyone who believed and supported, I am very grateful!”
Drivers of the VAZ classic class took care of “smooth” and precise driving. Before the final race of this class, the organizers had to water the track to reduce the large amount of dust. Athletes likened this trip to driving on ice in winter, because the compacted surface during the day became wet and very slippery after watering. During the day, participants of this class had to demonstrate their driving skills in various conditions. Jānis Balodis, who celebrated his first autocross victory, was the first to reach the finish line, Raitis Gusevs was second, and Ivo Žilde was third.
“It seems that this victory was helped by a liking for a slightly slippery surface, but it must be admitted that the luck factor was also at work here. It’s similar to winter, but a little better, it didn’t slip so much. It’s a good thing that the driver didn’t do another lap before the final, then it would have been much wetter and the car would have been harder to control. At the end of the day, the emotions and feelings are very good, because this is my first victory in autocross, I have finally achieved this result,” the winner of the VAZ classic is happy about his first victory in autocross, Jānis Balodis.
The best in the third stage of the Latvian autocross championship and cup:
mini bagiji
1. Ažuolas Dungveckis (Lithuania) 2. Jēkabs Linde 3. Klāvs Žvagins
Junior Xtreme buggies
1. Matas Zavarskis (Lithuania) 2. Markuss Utēns 3. Jānis Kozlovskis
Xtreme bagiji
1. Mikus Neško 2. Roberts Rumbenieks 3. Keivo Koivs (Estonia)
B1600 baggi
1. Edgars Sieverts 2. Modris Lešinskis 3. Dins Kolosovskis
VAZ classic
1. Jānis Balodis 2. Raitis Gusevs 3. Ivo Žilde
1600
1.Girts Kuzmanis 2.Andis Kļava 3.Justs Grencis
2000 super
1. Ritvars Kārkliņš 2. Ivo Gabrāns 3. Miks Gabrāns
Open 2500
1. Ints Jershovs 2. Aigars Bajars 3. Jānis Gustans
B6000 baggi
1. Martins Talvs (Estonia) 2. Dinars Ramats 3. Ots Kevai (Estonia)
The next, fourth, stage of the Latvian autocross championship and cup will take place on the legendary ‘Mūsa Raceland’ track, in Bauska, on August 13.
Kuzmanis wins the reverse:
Information prepared by:
Zane Lielkāja / AX Latvia
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