Lithuanian rally driver Benediktas Vanagas has made a name for himself in the world of motorsports since beginning his racing career in 1997. Besides 11 Dakar starts, Vanagas' impressive record includes racing Group N, R5, and WRC cars, as well as endurance racing with Porsche.
In 2015, Vanagas became a Toyota brand ambassador, and in 2019, Toyota Baltics introduced the Toyota Hilux Benediktas Vanagas Limited Edition. Alongside his racing career, Vanagas also serves in the Lithuanian Armed Forces, demonstrating his dedication to his country.
Vanagas first started in the Dakar Rally in 2013 and has participated all events since then. His best finish came in 2019, securing an impressive 11th place – missing out on the top 10 by a mere 5 seconds!
The 2023 Dakar Rally wasn’t really nice to Vanagas and his co-driver, Estonia’ Kuldar Sikk, as they had to withdraw early due to an accident.
🎙”Looking forward to Baja Extremadura. Actually, it's my first time there. So I don't know anything about this Baja. Anyhow, my season started with a brain concussion in the Dakar. So only one month ago I could start exercising and preparing for my racing season. Our current plan is to do the European Cup for Bajas. So Spain is the first event with a huge amount of, or maybe not huge, but with a big competition from Portuguese and Spanish drivers. Also, coming fast guys here to race. So we are looking forward and actually really want to race very much. After the Dakar, we were helping a little bit Toyota Gazoo Racing, giving a car to Joao Ramos, who won the first event of the Portuguese championship. Also, our Hilux had to fly to Qatar to help Nasser. He won in Qatar Baja. So the car is now back to Overdrive in Europe. And actually it's moving already to Portugal where we are going to have some tests before the event and we are looking forward to the race.”
Text: Rita Kónya
Interview: Sveta Amelichkina
Photos: InBank Team Pitlane
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