{"id":749,"date":"2023-01-12T21:54:27","date_gmt":"2023-01-12T19:54:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pgarage.wpress.lt\/lt-porsche-istorija\/"},"modified":"2024-08-14T17:57:40","modified_gmt":"2024-08-14T14:57:40","slug":"the-history-of-porsche-in-lithuania","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pgarage.wpress.lt\/en\/the-history-of-porsche-in-lithuania\/","title":{"rendered":"The history of PORSCHE in LT"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” full_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” bg_type=”image” parallax_style=”vcpb-vz-jquery” bg_image_new=”id^7139|url^https:\/\/pgarage.wpress.lt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1.png|caption^null|alt^null|title^1|description^null” bg_image_repeat=”no-repeat” parallax_content=”parallax_content_value” parallax_content_sense=”50″ css=”.vc_custom_1723647456924{margin-top: -50px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”The history of Porsche racing in Lithuania” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1676385296524{padding-bottom: 80px !important;}”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Vytautas Vensk\u016bnas<\/strong><\/p>\n

1000 km\u00a0race winner. Pioneer of endurance racing in Lithuania.<\/em><\/p>\n

When Stasys Brundza would leave his Porsche<\/em> somewhere in the city, a crowd of people used to gather to check it out. It was the same with Alfredas Kudla\u2019s Porsche<\/em>. Whenever he left the car in town, he\u2019d come back to find a crowd of people. When he tried to make his way through the crowd, he\u2019d hear: \u201cHold on, hold on \u2013 what do you think you\u2019re doing? We all want to see it.\u201d<\/p>\n

I was probably the first one in the former Soviet Union to start endurance racing. At the time, I was doing business with the Germans, and that\u2019s where I met a racing driver. One day he says to me, \u201cLet\u2019s go where real men drive.\u201d And we went to N\u00fcrburgring. He took me out in a BMW M3. The first lap was really scary for me \u2013 I could never be a co-driver.<\/p>\n

The first time I drove myself was maybe in 1995 \u2013 I took part in the N\u00fcrburgring 24 Hours. I thought the Porsches<\/em> were really good looking cars. I couldn\u2019t control myself and ended up asking the famous German racer Uwe Alzen to let me take it for a spin. Before letting me into the car, he warned, \u201cDrive carefully \u2013 this is no BMW. You have to drive; you have to think \u2013 only drive on the GP track.\u201d Everything went smoothly, without incidents, and I really liked it. I started dreaming about becoming a Porsche<\/em> driver and taking on a 24-hour race.<\/p>\n

I went to see Stasys Brundza and suggested we do a project: \u201cN\u00fcrburgring 24 Hours with Porsche<\/em>\u201d. Stasys heard me out in silence, and mentioned that it\u2019d been a while since he\u2019d raced; but he liked the idea and in 1998, we \u2013 a Lithuanian team \u2013 set out for the N\u00fcrburgring 24 Hours. Stasys Brundza, Aurelijus Sima\u0161ka, Marius Budrikis and I made up the team. We stood there lined up nicely next to our red 911 and waited for the start, feeling like real Europeans. We had practice sessions before the race, and I\u2019d ride shotgun because I was the only one who knew the track. Everyone drove well, but Brundza came across to me as a true driving god. He drove like he\u2019d been driving there his entire life. Everything went well. Dalius Steponavi\u010dius was an amazing team manager. At night we got into the top 10. However, we didn\u2019t manage to avoid accidents and took a long time repairing the car. The finish was impressive. On the last lap, we ran out of fuel on the straight just before the finish. Brundza pushed the car to the finish line. The whole world saw that image. We finished in 28th place. It was a really good result for the first time, and it was an unforgettable race. We felt great \u2013 after all, 200 cars had started.<\/p>\n

I think this race was what led to the 1000 km\u00a0race being held in Palanga. At first, Darius Jonu\u0161is was sceptical about my endurance racing. But one time he came to N\u00fcrburgring, checked out how everything was done, and before you know it, the 1000 km\u00a0race was held in Palanga.<\/p>\n

When it started, Jonu\u0161is suggested that we bring a Porsche<\/em> race car to Palanga. We managed to both bring it and win the race. Then we started the Porsche<\/em> winning streak that\u2019s still going to this day.<\/p>\n

Porsches<\/em> are a different car. Even the way they smell is different, unforgettable. And they handle differently \u2013 they were just born for motorsports. They don\u2019t need to be reworked \u2013 they just up and go. The engine is in the back, so you have to watch out for oversteer. Driving on wet surfaces is especially dangerous. These cars have to be tamed.<\/p>\n

In those days, only very experienced drivers would get into a Porsche<\/em>, because the cars didn\u2019t have any electronic assistance back then, not even ABS. If you braked too hard, you\u2019d burn out two or even all four tyres. I\u2019ve spun out more than once, I\u2019ve slid. You get through it and you feel this sweet taste in your mouth \u2013 you calm down and drive on. One time I was tempted to show off a little in front of the TV cameraman. He was standing on this one turn, completely bored, not even turning the camera, because everyone was driving sensibly, predictably. And then I came flying in and tried to drift through the turn. I got the cameraman\u2019s attention \u2013 he got some good footage as I grated the side of the car against the fencing.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve driven almost every Porsche<\/em> model there is, but the ones I like the most are the old ones, without any electronics. That\u2019s what those of us from the old generation are used to. When there are historic car races, it\u2019s the old drivers who win because the kids have a hard time controlling those beasts without electronics.<\/p>\n

Porsche<\/em> has always been known for durability. Its design is pretty simple, and can withstand a huge number of racing kilometres.<\/p>\n

My least successful adventure was in Palanga, when I put the Kauno Gr\u016bdai car against the fence \u2013 it broke down and its nose got bent a little. This was both mine and the mechanics\u2019 mistake. After refuelling, the brakes went \u2013 they just completely overheated while filling up. It happened again too, but that time I managed to pull the handbrake and limit the damage to a triple spin. That mistake didn\u2019t cost me much, but Aurelijus Sima\u0161ka had an incident in an Audi where he was seriously injured and crashed the car.<\/p>\n

When asked which Porsche he would choose, Vensk\u016bnas says, \u201cA Porsche 993. For me it\u2019s the best.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Audrius Gel\u017einis<\/strong><\/p>\n

Founder and owner of Juta Racing, endurance racing strategist. Jonas ended his kart career in 2006, so we had to decide what to race with next. Our friends and acquaintances led to us choosing Porsche<\/em>. That same year, we brought a car to Lithuania and won the 1000 km\u00a0race. Right after that, we started participating in Porsche Carrera Cup<\/em> Scandinavia. The Porsche<\/em> phase in our lives lasted from 2006 to 2021. During that time, Jonas won the 1000 km\u00a0race 10 times.<\/p>\n

In Scandinavia, Jonas made the podium, and his best finish was 5th place in the final standings. We already had more experience when we came to Porsche Carrera Cup<\/em> Great Britain. Jonas was more successful there. In 2013, he was in the running to win the championship and only lost in the last race, ending the season in second place. That was our best year.<\/p>\n

Jonas has won the 1000 km\u00a0race 10 times. Seven of which he won with a Porsche<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Jonas Gel\u017einis<\/strong><\/p>\n

Racing driver, 10-time 1000 km\u00a0race winner.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it comes to Porsche<\/em> handling, it\u2019s hard to lay it on thick,\u201d says Jonas Gel\u017einis, who has raced not only with Porsches<\/em>, but also with Spykers, Ferraris and BMWs<\/em>. \u201cThis is a GT class car, and they all handle about the same. You need to brake deep in the turn, load the front of the car so that it turns, and prepare for the best possible exit. The result depends a lot on the last step. Most beginners and intermediates make the same mistake \u2013 they enter the turn too quickly and exit it too slowly, losing the entire line. The rear-mounted engine loads the rear axle and allows for a very quick start at full capacity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Having won the 1000 km race 10 times, Jonas Gel\u017einis speaks modestly about his achievements: \u201cVery little depends on the driver alone. The entire team has to work reliably \u2013 from the pit crew members to the team manager. It\u2019s very important to have both a reliable team and a reliable car. Only then do drivers make it to the podium. I never thought I was the best \u2013 I\u2019m always trying to improve. During the race, I analyse the telemetry data and try to improve the results.\u201d<\/p>\n

About Porsche<\/em> models, Jonas says: \u201cI started my career with a 996. Then came the 997 and a few of its generations. Later I got to drive a few generations of the 991 and most recently \u2013 the 992. I\u2019d consider the 996 a collector\u2019s car. It\u2019s rubber, very close to standard \u2013 I wouldn\u2019t want to drive it on the track. The 997 was very sensitive, jittery, and had a short base. It\u2019s a formidable car for inexperienced drivers, but it has its charm. The 991 was much more refined and handled better. Porsche<\/em> has produced a lot of models, but the differences between them aren\u2019t obvious \u2013 the cars are improved little by little. That\u2019s how they managed to achieve such high reliability. If I had to choose today, I\u2019d prefer to drive one of the newer models. The newer, the better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jonas has also tried Porsche\u2019s<\/em> electric cars, but he thinks they won\u2019t be in races for at least another 10 years. According to him, hybrids will dominate racing in the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n

Robertas Kup\u010dikas<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of Lithuania\u2019s best circuit racing drivers. Every day he goes to a job that is the envy of all petrolheads. Robertas is an instructor at the Porsche Driving Academy.<\/em><\/p>\n

When Vytautas Vensk\u016bnas brought a 993 RSR to Lithuania, it looked special. And now it\u2019s just a classic car. Thanks to Vytautas, Porsche<\/em> triumphed in Lithuania. Since then, drivers who want to win races usually choose Porsches<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Statistically, Porsches<\/em> run the best on the Palanga circuit. This is confirmed by the fact that out of 22 races, 15 were won with Porsches<\/em>. In the past, only professionals could win with a Porsche<\/em>, but with the advent of the 991 model, handling has become much simpler and any amateur can drive fast with a bit of training.<\/p>\n

The difference with driving a Porsche<\/em> is that the front axle load is half that of the rear. The front of the car is very light, and the front wheels tend to slip when cornering. To avoid this, you need to brake in the turn itself, loading the front axle to keep the front wheels from slipping. Thanks to the rear-mounted engine and the rear-wheel drive, the car can start very quickly.<\/p>\n

WINNERS PODIUM<\/strong><\/p>\n

Drivers who won the Palanga 1006 km race with a Porsche<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

2000<\/p>\n

Vladas Laurinavi\u010dius, Eugenijus Tumalevi\u010dius, Vytautas Vensk\u016bnas \u2013 Porsche<\/em> Club Lithuania (Porsche 911)<\/em><\/p>\n

2001<\/p>\n

Vytautas Vensk\u016bnas, Alfredas Kudla \u2013 Automodus 5 (Porsche<\/em> 993 RSR<\/em>)<\/p>\n

2002<\/p>\n

Vladas Laurinavi\u010dius, Eugenijus Tumalevi\u010dius, Aurelijus Sima\u0161ka, Nikita Kondrachinas \u2013 Porsche Club Lithuania (Porsche<\/em> 993 Cup<\/em>)<\/p>\n

2003<\/p>\n

Alfredas Kudla, Vytautas Vensk\u016bnas \u2013 SK D. A. L (Porsche<\/em> Carrera GT3<\/em>)<\/p>\n

2005<\/p>\n

Egidijus Dap\u0161as, Nemunas Dagilis, Nerijus Dagilis \u2013 Oktanas-Snaig\u0117 (Porsche<\/em> 996 GT3<\/em>)<\/p>\n

2006<\/p>\n

Aurelijus Rusteika, Giedrius Tomas Jarmalavi\u010dius, Ar\u016bnas Bartusevi\u010dius, Jonas Gel\u017einis \u2013 Topo Centras (Porsche<\/em> 996 GT3<\/em>)<\/p>\n

2012<\/p>\n

Sun Moodley, Andrew Culbert, Manogh Maharaj (Republic of South Africa) \u2013 Oktanas Racing (Porsche<\/em> 911 GT3 Cup<\/em>)<\/p>\n

2013<\/p>\n

Nemunas Dagilis, Nerijus Dagilis, Benediktas Vanagas \u2013 General Financing-Autopaslauga (Porsche<\/em> 911 GT3<\/em>)<\/p>\n

2015<\/p>\n

Jonas Gel\u017einis, Ignas Gel\u017einis, Tautvydas Bar\u0161tys Jr. \u2013 Juta-KG Group (Porsche<\/em> Carrera GT3 Cup<\/em>)<\/p>\n

2016<\/p>\n

Jonas Gel\u017einis, Sebastiaan Bleekemolen (Holland), Benediktas Vanagas \u2013 General Financing by Pitlane (Porsche<\/em> 911 GT3 Cup<\/em>)<\/p>\n

2017<\/p>\n

Jonas Gel\u017einis, Ignas Gel\u017einis, Egidijus Valei\u0161a \u2013 Skuba Dream (Porsche<\/em> 911 GT3 Cup 997<\/em>)<\/p>\n

2018<\/p>\n

Robertas Kup\u010dikas, Nemunas Dagilis, Steve Vanbellingen (Belgium) \u2013 Palanga Spa Hotel by EMG Motorsport (Porsche<\/em> 911 GT3 Cup<\/em>)<\/p>\n

2019<\/p>\n

Julius Adomavi\u010dius, Ralf Aron (Estonia), Jonas Gel\u017einis, Ignas Gel\u017einis \u2013 Circle K Miles Plus Racing Team (Porsche<\/em> GT3 Cup<\/em>)<\/p>\n

2020<\/p>\n

Julius Adomavi\u010dius, Jonas Gel\u017einis, Ralf Aron (Estonia), Oskaras Brazaitis \u2013 Circle K Miles Plus Racing Team (Porsche<\/em> GT3 Cup 2<\/em>)<\/p>\n

2021<\/p>\n

Jonas Gel\u017einis, Ignas Gel\u017einis, Ralf Aron (Estonia), Julius Adomavi\u010dius \u2013 Circle K Miles Plus Racing Team (Porsche<\/em> GT3 Cup 2<\/em>)[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” full_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” bg_type=”image” parallax_style=”vcpb-vz-jquery” bg_image_new=”id^7139|url^https:\/\/pgarage.wpress.lt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1.png|caption^null|alt^null|title^1|description^null” bg_image_repeat=”no-repeat” parallax_content=”parallax_content_value” parallax_content_sense=”50″ css=”.vc_custom_1723647456924{margin-top: -50px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”The history of Porsche racing in Lithuania” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1676385296524{padding-bottom: 80px !important;}”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Vytautas Vensk\u016bnas 1000 km\u00a0race winner. Pioneer of endurance racing in Lithuania. When Stasys Brundza would leave his Porsche somewhere in the city, a crowd of people used to…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-749","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","description-off"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pgarage.wpress.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/749","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pgarage.wpress.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pgarage.wpress.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pgarage.wpress.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pgarage.wpress.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=749"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/pgarage.wpress.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/749\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7152,"href":"https:\/\/pgarage.wpress.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/749\/revisions\/7152"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pgarage.wpress.lt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=749"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}