With the BRX Baltic Rallycross Championship entering the second half of the season, the battle in the Super1600 class is becoming increasingly intense. One of the drivers firmly in the title fight is Lithuania’s Valdas Miku\u017eis, who has already experienced racing on Europe’s biggest stage this season while continuing to fight for victories in both BRX and the Latvian-Lithuanian Rallycross Championship.<\/p>\n
Although Miku\u017eis made only one appearance in the FIA European Rallycross Championship this year, it became one of the defining moments of his career.<\/p>\n
“I only competed in one FIA European Rallycross Championship round in Latvia, but it was an incredible experience and a great opportunity to learn. I was driving a different car than I use in BRX and the Latvian-Lithuanian Championship, but the professionalism of the entire event showed me what competing at the highest level really looks like.”<\/p>\n
His expectations before the event were modest.<\/p>\n
“My goal was simply to finish inside the top ten, but I exceeded my own expectations by reaching the final and finishing fourth. That result is one of the biggest achievements of my racing career so far. It gave me a lot of confidence and motivation for the future.”<\/p>\n
Despite that success, his priorities for the remainder of 2026 are clear.<\/p>\n
“At the moment I don’t plan to compete in any more FIA Euro RX rounds this season. My main focus is on BRX and the Latvian-Lithuanian Rallycross Championship, where I want to perform consistently and fight for the best possible results.”<\/p>\n
Having experienced both championships, Miku\u017eis sees clear differences between the European and Baltic series.<\/p>\n
“The biggest difference is the number of competitors. FIA Euro RX has attracted a very large RX3 field this season, making the competition incredibly tough. In BRX and the Latvian-Lithuanian Championship it’s often much harder to fill the grid.”<\/p>\n
Still, he believes the level of competition in the Baltics should never be underestimated.<\/p>\n
“The drivers are still extremely competitive and motivated. Everyone wants to win. With continued investment and hard work, I’m sure these championships will continue to grow. Super1600 is a fantastic category, but it’s also an expensive one with highly developed cars.”<\/p>\n
Away from the racetrack, Miku\u017eis faces a challenge few of his rivals have.<\/p>\n
Currently serving as a volunteer in the military, balancing racing with military service leaves very little time for preparation.<\/p>\n
“Rallycross takes up a huge part of my life this season, even though my schedule is probably different from what many people imagine. I’m only released from military service for race weekends, so I don’t have much opportunity to test or train during the season.”<\/p>\n
As a result, every lap becomes even more valuable.<\/p>\n
“Most of my preparation happens just before each race. It’s not the ideal situation, but it has taught me to make the most of every opportunity. Every race weekend is valuable, and I try to learn as much as possible every time I get behind the wheel.”<\/p>\n
Balancing military life with competing in multiple championships demands discipline.<\/p>\n
“It requires good time management, commitment and discipline. I believe those qualities help me both on and off the track.”<\/p>\n
When asked about testing opportunities, the answer is simple.<\/p>\n
“Not much this season.”<\/p>\n
If there is one place Miku\u017eis always enjoys returning to, it’s his home circuit.<\/p>\n
“Of course, Vilky\u010diai is my favourite track.”<\/p>\n
Raassilla, however, also holds a special place among his favourite circuits.<\/p>\n
“Raassilla is one of my favourite circuits in Estonia. It’s a very technical, karting-style track where precision and consistency are extremely important. If you have good pace and make a strong start, a lot can be decided in the very first corners.”<\/p>\n
That technical nature is exactly what attracts him.<\/p>\n
“I enjoy that kind of racing because every lap requires full concentration. Even small mistakes can make a huge difference. It’s a circuit that rewards confident driving and good racecraft.”<\/p>\n
Although Miku\u017eis works closely with his team on setup decisions, the technical side is left to experienced professionals.<\/p>\n
“The car is prepared and developed by a professional team. I don’t work on the technical side myself. We discuss setup changes together, and I always provide feedback after testing and races, but the mechanics and engineers take care of the rest.”<\/p>\n
He believes that relationship is one of the keys to success.<\/p>\n
“Good communication between the driver and the team is essential if you want to keep improving throughout the season.”<\/p>\n
When asked to describe himself with a rallycross slogan, Miku\u017eis didn’t hesitate.<\/p>\n
“Driven by heritage. Racing for the future.”<\/p>\n
The words carry special meaning.<\/p>\n
His grandfather was a successful racing driver and remains his biggest inspiration.<\/p>\n
“He is the person who motivates me the most. I truly believe racing runs in our blood.”<\/p>\n
As the championship heads to Raassilla RX on 25 July, Valdas Miku\u017eis continues his pursuit of the Super1600 title\u2014combining military discipline, family tradition and growing international experience into one of the most compelling stories of the 2026 BRX season.<\/p>\n
BRX Baltikumi rallikrossi meistriv\u00f5istlused on j\u00f5udnud hooaja teise poolde ning Super1600 klassi tiitliheitlus muutub iga etapiga j\u00e4rjest p\u00f5nevamaks. \u00dcks peamisi tiitlisoosikuid on Leedu s\u00f5itja Valdas Miku\u017eis, kes on t\u00e4navu saanud maitsta ka Euroopa rallikrossi tipptaset, kuid keskendub n\u00fc\u00fcd t\u00e4ielikult BRX ja L\u00e4ti-Leedu meistriv\u00f5istlustele.<\/p>\n
Kuigi Miku\u017eis osales t\u00e4navu FIA Euroopa rallikrossi meistriv\u00f5istlustel vaid \u00fchel etapil, kujunes sellest tema senise karj\u00e4\u00e4ri \u00fcks t\u00e4htsamaid n\u00e4dalavahetusi.<\/p>\n
\u201eS\u00f5itsin t\u00e4navu vaid \u00fchel FIA Euroopa rallikrossi etapil L\u00e4tis, kuid see oli uskumatu kogemus ja suurep\u00e4rane v\u00f5imalus \u00f5ppida. Kasutasin seal teistsugust autot kui BRX-is ja L\u00e4ti-Leedu meistriv\u00f5istlustel, kuid kogu v\u00f5istluse professionaalsus n\u00e4itas v\u00e4ga h\u00e4sti, mida t\u00e4hendab v\u00f5istelda k\u00f5ige k\u00f5rgemal tasemel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Enne v\u00f5istlust olid eesm\u00e4rgid pigem tagasihoidlikud.<\/p>\n
\u201eMinu eesm\u00e4rk oli l\u00f5petada esik\u00fcmnes, kuid suutsin iseennast \u00fcllatada \u2013 p\u00e4\u00e4sesin finaali ja l\u00f5petasin neljandana. See tulemus on \u00fcks minu senise v\u00f5idus\u00f5itjakarj\u00e4\u00e4ri suurimaid saavutusi ning andis mulle palju enesekindlust ja motivatsiooni tulevikuks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vaatamata sellele edule on tema t\u00e4navused prioriteedid selged.<\/p>\n
\u201ePraegu ei plaani ma sel hooajal rohkem FIA Euroopa meistriv\u00f5istlustel osaleda. Minu p\u00f5hir\u00f5hk on BRX-il ja L\u00e4ti-Leedu rallikrossi meistriv\u00f5istlustel, kus soovin s\u00f5ita stabiilselt ning v\u00f5idelda parimate v\u00f5imalike tulemuste nimel.\u201d<\/p>\n
M\u00f5lemas sarjas v\u00f5istelnuna n\u00e4eb Miku\u017eis Euroopa ja Baltikumi meistriv\u00f5istlustel selgeid erinevusi.<\/p>\n
\u201eK\u00f5ige suurem erinevus on osalejate arv. FIA Euroopa meistriv\u00f5istlustel on RX3 klassis t\u00e4navu v\u00e4ga palju s\u00f5itjaid ning konkurents on erakordselt tihe. BRX-is ja L\u00e4ti-Leedu meistriv\u00f5istlustel on sageli keeruline isegi t\u00e4is stardirivi kokku saada.\u201d<\/p>\n
See ei t\u00e4henda aga, et Baltikumi tase oleks madal.<\/p>\n
\u201eS\u00f5itjate tase on endiselt v\u00e4ga k\u00f5rge. K\u00f5ik on motiveeritud, konkurentsiv\u00f5imelised ja tahavad tiitlit v\u00f5ita. Usun, et aja jooksul, investeeringute ja j\u00e4rjepideva t\u00f6\u00f6 tulemusel kasvavad ka need sarjad. Super1600 on v\u00e4ga p\u00f5nev klass, kuid samas ka kallis \u2013 autod on tehniliselt v\u00e4ga arenenud ning see teeb suuremate stardirivide tekkimise keerulisemaks.\u201d<\/p>\n
V\u00f5idus\u00f5idu k\u00f5rval seisab Miku\u017eis t\u00e4navu silmitsi veel \u00fche suure v\u00e4ljakutsega.<\/p>\n
Ta teenib vabatahtlikuna kaitsev\u00e4es ning peab rallikrossi \u00fchendama s\u00f5jav\u00e4elise teenistusega.<\/p>\n
\u201eRallikross v\u00f5tab sel hooajal suure osa minu elust, kuigi minu igap\u00e4evane rutiin on ilmselt hoopis teistsugune, kui paljud arvavad. Olen vabatahtlik kaitsev\u00e4es ning mind vabastatakse teenistusest peamiselt vaid v\u00f5istlusn\u00e4dalavahetusteks. Seet\u00f5ttu ei ole mul v\u00f5imalik hooaja jooksul palju testida ega treenida.\u201d<\/p>\n
See t\u00e4hendab, et iga rajale p\u00e4\u00e4semise v\u00f5imalus on eriti v\u00e4\u00e4rtuslik.<\/p>\n
\u201eSuurem osa ettevalmistusest toimub vahetult enne v\u00f5istlust. See pole ideaalne olukord, kuid on \u00f5petanud mind olemasolevat aega maksimaalselt \u00e4ra kasutama. Iga v\u00f5istlus annab v\u00f5imaluse \u00f5ppida ja areneda.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kahe nii n\u00f5udliku valdkonna \u00fchendamine n\u00f5uab distsipliini.<\/p>\n
\u201eSee n\u00f5uab v\u00e4ga head ajaplaneerimist, p\u00fchendumist ja distsipliini. Usun, et just need omadused aitavad mind nii rajal kui ka v\u00e4ljaspool seda.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kui palju j\u00e4\u00e4b aega testimiseks?<\/p>\n
\u201eAus vastus on \u2013 v\u00e4ga v\u00e4he.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kui r\u00e4\u00e4kida lemmikradadest, tuleb vastus kiiresti.<\/p>\n
\u201eLoomulikult on minu lemmik Vilky\u010diai rada.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ka Raassilla kuulub tema lemmikute hulka.<\/p>\n
\u201eRaassilla on \u00fcks minu lemmikradadest Eestis. See on v\u00e4ga tehniline, peaaegu kardiraja stiilis rada, kus t\u00e4psus ja stabiilsus on \u00e4\u00e4rmiselt olulised. Kui saad hea stardi ja leiad kohe \u00f5ige tempo, v\u00f5ib v\u00e4ga palju otsustuda juba esimestes kurvides.\u201d<\/p>\n
Just selline iseloom teebki Raassilla tema jaoks eriliseks.<\/p>\n
\u201eMulle meeldib selline v\u00f5idus\u00f5it, sest iga ring n\u00f5uab t\u00e4ielikku keskendumist ning isegi k\u00f5ige v\u00e4iksemad eksimused v\u00f5ivad palju maksma minna. See rada premeerib enesekindlat s\u00f5itu ja head v\u00f5idus\u00f5iduoskust.\u201d<\/p>\n
Auto tehnilise poole usaldab Miku\u017eis professionaalse meeskonna hoolde.<\/p>\n
\u201eAuto ettevalmistamise ja arendamise eest vastutab professionaalne meeskond. Mina ise tehnilise t\u00f6\u00f6ga ei tegele. Arutame koos seadistusi ning annan p\u00e4rast teste ja v\u00f5istlusi tagasisidet, kuid kogu tehnilise t\u00f6\u00f6 teevad mehaanikud ja insenerid.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tema hinnangul on just hea koost\u00f6\u00f6 edu alus.<\/p>\n
\u201eJuhi ja meeskonna vaheline suhtlus on v\u00e4ga oluline, kui soovid hooaja jooksul pidevalt paremaks saada.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kui palusime kirjeldada ennast \u00fche rallikrossi sloganiga, tuli vastus kiiresti.<\/p>\n
\u201eAjendatud p\u00e4randist. V\u00f5istlen tuleviku nimel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Selle lause taga peitub isiklik lugu.<\/p>\n
Tema vanaisa oli edukas v\u00f5idus\u00f5itja ning on t\u00e4naseni tema suurim eeskuju.<\/p>\n
\u201eJust tema on inimene, kes mind k\u00f5ige rohkem motiveerib. Ma t\u00f5esti usun, et v\u00f5idus\u00f5it voolab meie veres.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kui 25. juulil starditakse Raassilla RX rajal BRX hooaja neljandale etapile, j\u00e4tkab Valdas Miku\u017eis v\u00f5itlust Super1600 klassi meistritiitli nimel \u2013 \u00fchendades endas perekondliku v\u00f5idus\u00f5idup\u00e4randi, s\u00f5jav\u00e4elise distsipliini ja j\u00e4rjest kasvava rahvusvahelise kogemuse.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
With the BRX Baltic Rallycross Championship entering the second half of the season, the battle in the Super1600 class is becoming increasingly…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":39554,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[76],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39553","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-estrx-est"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/estrx.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39553","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/estrx.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/estrx.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/estrx.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/estrx.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39553"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/estrx.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39553\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39556,"href":"https:\/\/estrx.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39553\/revisions\/39556"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/estrx.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39554"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/estrx.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39553"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/estrx.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39553"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/estrx.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39553"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}