The participants of the “Around Lithuania” rally will shake Gargždus as well

On June 17-19, the traditional rally “Around Lithuania” will rumble through the country’s roads, the participants of which will fight for the most honorable trophy in the collection of every athlete – the President’s Cup.

The origins of this, the oldest motor sports competition in the country, date back to 1931, when on July 24 A convoy of 14 cars and 12 motorcycles from Kaunas started the first marathon race around Lithuania. It is no coincidence that the Lithuanian Motor Sports Federation considers this date to be the official start of motor sports in the country.

However, this year only the 31st President’s Cup will be awarded to the winners of this rally.

After all, only three such rallies were held in pre-war Lithuania, and when the country lost its independence, the activity of the organizer of the race, the Lithuanian Automobile Club, also ceased.

After it was revived in 1996, after exactly 65 years had passed since the start of the first such race, the famous “Around Lithuania” rallies began to be organized again.

In keeping with the long-standing tradition, the rally “Around Lietuva” starts in Kaunas, at Town Hall Square, from which the first crew will set off on the track at 9:30 a.m. on June 17.

Competing in stage competitions, the rally participants will pass through Kačerginė, Kėdainius, Raseinius, Tauragė, Šilalė and Šilutė and reach Gargždus on the evening of the first day of the rally, where another race awaits them on the gravel track at the end of Kuršlaukis street.

The first car of the rally participants will start here on June 17. in the evening – 6:15 p.m.

The winners of this event will be awarded the cup of Klaipėda District Mayor Broniaus Markauskas.

Athletes won’t stay awake for long in Gargždai, because in an hour the last stage of the day will be waiting for them in the city of Kretinga.

In total, the routes of this year’s rally “Around Lithuania” will stretch 1130 km.

The rally will finish on Sunday, June 19 at 3 p.m. In Vilnius, in front of the presidency, on S. Daukantas Square.

Juozas MAŽEIKIS

Head of the press center of the “Around Lithuania” rally