Lithuanian rally raid frontrunner Benediktas Vanagas has seized the lead in the FIA European Baja Cup despite a day of brutal terrain, near-misses, and a costly puncture.
Driving the heavy-hitting Toyota GR DKR Hilux EVO T1+ Ultimate, Vanagas and co-driver Aisvydas Paliukėnas survived over 300 kilometres of punishing Italian riverbeds to end Saturday on top of the European pack. Current Position: 1st (FIA European Baja Cup), 3rd (Overall Classification).
Puncture costs vital time in Stage 2
The afternoon session looked flawless for the Gurtam Toyota Gazoo Racing Baltics crew. Their rhythm was precise. Their pace was electric. Then, an accident struck.
A sharp rock pierced their tyre. The subsequent wheel-change cost the Lithuanians 90 seconds, allowing a key rival to slip ahead. Forced to chase, Vanagas spent the remaining kilometres blinded by thick plumes of dust kicked up ahead.
"The puncture was annoying," Vanagas admitted. "But looking at the pure statistics, we are fifth in the stage, third overall today, and leading the European Cup. Everything is going according to plan. We reset for tomorrow."
"Spine-jarring" near misses
Launching from 13th on the road in Stage 1, the crew immediately went on the attack.
Despite heavy dust, they went third-fastest overall. It was a brilliant fightback, but they narrowly avoided trouble.
"We had two very difficult situations where we thought it could be an early finito," the Dakar legend revealed. "We jarred our spines a bit, but otherwise, everything is fine."
A car-breaking challenge
The Italian Baja is notorious. It is compact, intense, and deeply unforgiving.
Out of the 675-kilometre total route, 432 kilometres are hard-core competitive stages. The shifting rocks of dry riverbeds easily shred tyres and shatter suspensions. Meanwhile, high-speed water crossings carry the constant threat of engine-killing hydrolock.
The high stakes explain the massive turnout. The event holds a prestigious quadruple status, scoring points for the FIA World and European Cups, alongside the Italian and Hungarian national championships.
The action concludes on Sunday in Pordenone, where the winners of this brutal European round will be crowned.
Source: Gurtam Toyota Gazoo Racing Baltics
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