„Saule 2009“ - the third event of FIA NEZ Rally Nationscup

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„Saulė 2009“ - the third event of FIA NEZ Rally Nationscup 2009

On 11-12 July 2009 the third round of the Lithuanian rally championship will take place in northern Lithuania, the region of Šiauliai. Rally “Saulė 2009” is also the third event of the FIA North European Zone (NEZ) Rally Nationscup 2009. Also known as Samogitia rally (“Žemaitijos ralis”) this gravel event will attract the strongest Lithuanian rally crews and crowds of rally fans, not to mention the guests from the other countries.

Samogitian gravel roads are known for being fast and demanding for the drivers. The routes of “Saulė” rally contain roads of mixed complexity: ranging from wide and fast parts to very narrow and twisty sections. Consequently, “Saulė” is one of the most difficult and technically demanding events in the calendar of the Lithuanian rally championship.

Interestingly enough, year to year Lithuanian rally champions find it hard to finish this event on the podium. Last year V.Švedas – the Lithuanian rally champion of 2008 – rolled his N4 EVO IX on a twisty section. Back in 2007 R.Lipeikis – the multifold winner of the Lithuanian rally championship famous for his stability – has also been defeated by the “Saulė” rally. After a big jump his A8 EVO VIII dived on the nose which caused radiator damage and eliminated the racer from the further competition.

Rally “Saulė 2009” starts on Saturday 11th July in the city of Šiauliai. For the beginning, only two identical 4.6km long special stages on tarmac will happen that day. However, the main part of the event will take place the next day. On Sunday 12th July the action will continue on the country roads around Kelmė (about 40km from Šiauliai) where the drivers will have 105.5km in 10 gravel stages to race.


More information including entry forms and other documentation can be found in:

Lithuanian automobile sport federation (LASF): http://www.lasf.lt/index.php/lt
Organizer’s website (ASC “Slikas”): http://www.slikas.lt
FIA NEZ website: http://www.fia-nez.eu

Accommodation info: http://tic.siauliai.lt/en . 1 Euro = 3.45 Litas. This information can be also found in the Appendix No.7 of the event documentation.

An interactive map of Lithuania: http://www.maps.lt

“Saulė 2009” rally results LIVE: http://www.rally-live.lt


Photos from the past events can be found at:
Year 2008: http://www.fotoreporteris.com/ralis_ralis%20saule%2020080621/index.html
Year 2007: http://www.fotoreporteris.com/ralis_saule_2007/index.html