Returning to Utena after seven years, the “Samsonas Rally Utena” will not only be the final event of the Lithuanian automobile rally championship but will also be a real celebration for rally fans. Less than a week before the rally, the organizers opened the cards and announced what additional entertainment fans of rally can expect here.
This year organisers of “Samsonas Rally Utena” has put a lot of effort to make a return of rally to Utena after a break of many years a cult and surpass all the previous events. Organisers have already talked about the sports side, exclusive, legendary Special Stages and their combinations in previous reports, so now it’s time to review what additional entertainment awaits those who decide to spend this autumn weekend in Utena.
The audience will have the opportunity not only to enjoy competitions on the best Special Stages in the region or night Special Stage on the streets of Utena city. Free concerts for Utena residents and guests of the city will also create a festive atmosphere here.
On September 30 (Friday) from 9:30 p.m. the band “Begėdžiai” will perform on the big outdoor stage near the Utena Cultural Center. On October 1(Saturday) “Samsonas Rally Utena” competition will be crowned by a concert of Donatas Montvydas and the band at the same place. It is scheduled to start at 10:00 p.m. Concerts on both days will be free for spectators, regardless of whether they have purchased a rally ticket.
And that’s not all. There will be additional entertainment for those who are more interested in the rally, which is organised in a partnership with Utena district municipality, than concert programs. Another surprise is already being shipped to Utena from the Netherlands – exclusive rally simulators. They are brought here by Kevin Abbring, the founder of “Motorsport in Motion” who together with his father Edwin will start as a zero crew in this competition.
Interesting that these simulators are not just a sports seat mounted on a frame with a steering wheel connected to a computer and monitor. These simulators are used to train and improve the skills of professional drivers, and anyone willing to experience the conditions under which the world’s motorsport elite train will have such a chance in Utena.
“These simulators are aimed for advanced drivers and are designed to improve their skills. It is basically a simulator for circuit racing, rally cross and rally disciplines. When changing car settings in this simulator – brake balance, stabilizer work, other parameters, an advanced driver clearly feels how the car’s control changes. So, everything happens like in real training, only time and resources are saved here. Later, those car settings that were most suitable in the simulator are transferred to the real car. The driver’s driving style on a specific track is also analyzed and the best settings are also searched for a specific situation”, said Kevin Abbring.
“Motorsport in Motion” rally simulators can be tested in Utena during the event both by spectators and by the participants of “Samsonas Rally Utena” in their spare time. This entertainment like concerts will also be free of charge.
Tickets to the “Samsonas Rally Utena” competition will cost 10 euros. They will be available at the entrances to the Special Stages. Pre-sale of tickets is already open at the Utena center of creative industries “Taurapilis”, Aušros st. 47. The event is free of charge for children under 12 years old (incl.).
