A thrilling weekend at Aizkraukle’s new track for the second stage of the LSC Latvia RC races!

On May 25th, Aizkraukle hosted the exciting second stage of the LSC Latvia RC races. Enthusiastic participants from across the Baltics gathered, including scouts from Estonia, eager to experience Aizkraukle’s brand-new track. This unique track features the “astro” surface, previously used for smaller RC car races, but for the first time hosting 1/5 and 1/6 scale model competitions.

The artificial grass "astro" surface ensures the track remains in perfect condition throughout the races, preventing any grooves and allowing drivers to perfect their trajectories. Spectators enjoyed a cleaner racing environment without the usual dust clouds.
Large-scale RC cars bring both power and precision, making the races incredibly thrilling. These models are significantly larger and more complex, demanding skilled handling and meticulous preparation. The excitement isn’t just for participants but also for spectators who eagerly follow every maneuver and outcome.

The races promised excitement in all categories – from 2WD Baja to 2WD and 4WD. Special attention was on the 2WD group, where last season’s 2WD Baja winner, Mārcis Tilners, stepped up to the more powerful 2WD group. This move heightened the competition, with many contenders vying for the top spot. Mārcis admitted,

"The races were tough; I struggled with brake issues and a complicated car configuration. Despite these challenges, I managed to adapt the chassis, but there’s still work to be done on the engine tuning."

He finished a commendable 5th place in his 2WD debut, just behind Jānis Zariņš, a previous EFRA European Championship participant. Jānis also found the new "astro" surface challenging, ultimately finishing fourth after a start-line error.
The 2WD Baja group was equally thrilling. Rain before the final made the track unpredictable, leading to hydroplaning. The stage winner, Jānis Krūtainis, said,

"It was my first time on artificial turf, and it was surprisingly good. The old engine’s lower power helped avoid excessive skidding. Winning was lucky, as my closest rival, Raitis Amatnieks, ran out of fuel a minute before the finish, securing second place."

 In the 4WD group, Māris Kazaks won with a two-lap lead. His RC Rots team also competed in the 2WD group, narrowly defeating Dainius Mikelėnas by 9 seconds. Māris stated, 

"Aizkraukle’s new track is a significant challenge both for driving and technically. Both 2WD and 4WD models need thorough testing and adjustment to fully utilize the track's strengths. It’s unlike anything I’ve seen in Latvia, pushing us to adapt. The new
track approaches European professional standards, but much work is still needed on the infrastructure."

All participants acknowledged the new track as a pivotal development for the sport and thanked the enthusiasts who prepared such a high-level track and event in a short time.

Special thanks to “RC Rots team”, SIA “REA forest”, SIA “Auto Kada”, SIA “Mūsu Lodzenieks”, SIA “Elksnis”, and individuals like Aigars and Irīna Elkšņi, Dinārs Kāgans, Dainis Kazāks, Māris Kazāks, Aigars Indersons, Māris Stiprais, Jānis Laimiņš, Jevgenijs Kuhalskis, and their dedicated children Ritvars Elksnis, Emīls and Gustavs Kāgani, and Ernests and Edvards Stiprie.

Get Ready for June 8th in Aizkraukle, at Enerģētiķu iela 6, where qualifications start at 11:00 AM and finals at 5:00 PM. Don’t forget to mark your calendars!

This was just the second of seven stages. For more information on large-scale RC cars and the race calendar, visit baja5b.lv If you are from Latvia, Lithuania or Surrounding Countries and would like to take part in an event.