Benediktas Vanagas and co-driver Aisvydas Paliukėnas delivered their strongest performance of the rally so far, securing 14th place in Stage 3. The "Gurtam Toyota Gazoo Racing Baltics" crew navigated the grueling 421 km route to AlUla in 4:19:46, finishing just 15 minutes behind the stage leader.
Tactical Resilience
The day was defined by high-stakes tire management. After suffering a puncture at the 90-kilometer mark, the crew was forced to modulate their pace, knowing they had only one spare wheel remaining for the vast majority of the stage. After a cautious middle section, Vanagas increased the pressure in the final sectors to reclaim lost time.
Recent heavy rains had erased visible tracks, making navigation through the canyons and rocky plateaus exceptionally difficult. Paliukėnas was credited with a near-flawless performance despite the "extreme" conditions.
The Long Game
Vanagas remains pragmatic regarding the "Ultimate T1+" category's depth, noting that the top 30 drivers all possess top-10 pace. "I know how the rally marathon algorithm works," Vanagas remarked, emphasizing that early aggression often yields to consistency in the overall standings.
Looking Ahead: The Marathon Begins
Tomorrow, the field enters the first leg of a marathon stage.. Stage 4 cosists of a 451 km timed special (526 km total). Crews will spend the night in a "refuge stage" in the desert without their primary bivouac support teams.
Source: Gurtam Toyota Gazoo Racing Baltics
Photo: Vytautas Pilkauskas. MM Photo.
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