It does not seem that long ago that the members of the N5 squad were still bathing in the mud baths of the Saaremaa Rally, and they are already starting the new 2024 season this weekend. Since winters in our region are difficult to predict and there are not so many suitable dates for rallies, the events usually follow each other from mid-January. Aluksnė, Aukštaitija, Arctic Lapland and Sarma are no exception. The 2024 season in the Baltic States will open in the north of Latvia, in Alūksne, where the first rounds of the Latvian and Estonian rally championships will take place. Numerous crews from Lithuania will travel to this winter festival, including a team from the N5. This weekend you will have the opportunity to follow Eugenijus Sladkevičius and Marius Kairys, who will be driving the same Škoda Fabia N5+ car.
Before the start, Eugenijus tested both himself and the car in Alūksne at the tests near Elektrėnai, which seem to have gone well, and the crew and car are fully prepared for the Latvian test.
Preparations are underway, we have been trying to adjust the shock absorbers and find the best settings. We have done about 50 sport kilometers, it seems that the confidence is returning and the car is working without any complaints, so I think everything will be fine. The weather is good so I think we will have a good weekend, of course we would like to have a good result. If everything works as it did in testing, everything will be fine
Eugenijus Sladkevičius
The Alūksnė Rally starts on Friday, January 19, with a 7.24-kilometer special stage at night, that will be driven twice. The main action takes place on Saturday, where the participants will complete a further 8 special stages with a total length of 77 kilometers. These 8 special stages are separated by three service zones, giving competitors the opportunity to repair their equipment every two stages. Eugenijus Sladkevičius with Marius Kairys has been given number 23. It will be the first time that Eugenijus will test the Latvian roads with snow and ice.
On Friday the first special stage will start at 18:52, on Saturday at 8:18.
| Nr. | Driver | Co-driver | Car | Team | Class | |||
| 23. |  | Eugenijus Sladkevičius | | Marius Kairys |  | Škoda Fabia N5+ | Samsonas Motorsport | LRC1 |