Foto: BaTCC
After the summer break, on August 12 and 14, the Baltic Motorway Championship (BaTCC) will resume with the third stage on the Estonian “Porsche Ring” track, where the most engaging battles are expected in the “BMW 325 CUP” and “NEZ Porsche Sprint Challenge” classes.
The races in Estonia will be the third stage of the Baltic and Latvian Championship, the fifth stage of the North European “Porsche GT3 CUP” series, as well as the fourth stage of the “ABC Race” series. It is predicted that around 150 participants in different test classes will participate in the race.
Andis Meilands, organizer of the BaTCC championship: “It is always a great pleasure for both the race organizers and the participants to return to the modern Porsche Ring track in Pärnu, where this race marks the midpoint of the season, which will be followed by two more races, but the battle for championship titles in several classes will really begin right here. Since the competition will be stages of the Baltic, as well as Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian national championships, we expect a large number of participants in all classes. We are actively working and hope that there will be many teams in the six-hour endurance race as well. We hope for sunny weather – see you in Pärnu!”.
The busy agenda, the large number of participants and several qualifying classes also make for three races on Friday, when the first pre-finals of the BTC/V1600, the NEZ Porsche Sprint Challenge and the BMW 325 CUP will take place.
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The competition will be watched live on the “Baltic Touring Car Championship” Facebook and Youtube accounts.
In the Baltic six-hour endurance race, the “LV Racing” team will experience the baptism of fire in the competition mode with its new “TCR” class vehicle – the second generation Audi “RS3 LMS TCR”, the competitors will be several Estonian, Lithuanian and Finnish teams in this class.
The North European “Porsche Sprint Challenge” series is experiencing a real boom, in which 22 different participants with different generations of Porsche “GT3 CUP” cars have already entered the starting line this season. So far, there are no Latvian athletes in the championship. The first place after four stages is taken by the Frenchman Thomas Padovani, the second by the Estonian Tomas Kangro, and the third by Tommi Haru from Finland. It is predicted that 16-18 racers will take part in the Pärnu race in this class.
The most exciting battles for the fans are traditionally expected in the “BMW 325 CUP” competition, where “LV Racing” pilot Valters Zviedris is in the leading position of the shared championship with 152 points. Last year’s champion Karolis Jovaiš from Lithuania has the same number of points. Krišjānis Oskerko is third in the overall standings with 130 points. In the “Masters” ranking, the first place is currently held by Matīs Mežaks with 88 points, the second by Toms Bērziņš with 37. In the “Rookie” or beginners’ rating, Krišjānis Oskerko has a convincing leadership position, while the third is currently Jānis Łebelis with 31 points.
This year, the “BMW 325 CUP” also has a team rating, in which the points won by the two pilots of the team are counted together. The first three places after two stages of the competition for Latvian teams. First “Spins/Rode Racing”, second “LV Racing”, and third place “Foxtail Racing”.
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In the “V1600” class, where cars with engines up to 1600 ccm compete, the first two places were taken by Finnish athletes – Matias Nuoramo and Benjamin Silvestersons. The closest follower is Ernests Eglītis from Latvia with 33 points. Raivis Meiland is currently the first in the BMW 116 Trophy, with Elvi Turanas and Artūras Brunavas behind him.
Atis Veismanis is third overall in the “BTC2” class with 48 points. The leader of the championship, Simo Linds, with 88 points, is quite far behind, but anything can still happen in the remaining three stages. A large increase in the number of participants is expected in the class, as several young athletes from Lithuania and Estonia have confirmed their participation.
In the “TCR” class, the hopes of the Latvian fans are connected with the pilot of the “LV Racing” team Ivars Valleras, who leads the championship with 80 points, the second Kasparas Vaškelis with 50 points, and the third Kestutis Stasionis with 36.
Great competition and intense competition are also expected in the two-hour “Nankang Endurance Academy” race, where 25-30 teams will compete in different classes. In the “BMW 325 CUP” standings, after two victories in two races, the “Jūrmala/Papa’s racing team” is the undisputed leader. The closest competitors are four Estonian teams. “LV Racing” – currently in seventh place.
In the historical formula “Mondial” class, Raitis Mūrnieks and Indulis Rukuts will try to regain the leadership at the head of the championship, who is ahead of Estonian Taavi Kroon by four points.
Around 15 athletes are expected at the start in the “ABC Race” class of the highway. Jānis Hāns leads the championship with 117 points, Artūrs Danilevskis is second, and Daniels Ungurs is third.
In the Nations Cup ranking, Lithuania is in the lead with 370 points, Estonia 263, Latvia 248, Finland 155.
It will be possible to buy tickets for the competition at the track. Price – 20 EUR. Admission to both days with access to the member’s park.
The list of participants can be found here.
Information prepared by:
Andis Meilands
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