I took my trusty Toyota Corolla 4WD wagon, a winter daily driver, to the Press Rally in Lithuania and finished last. Despite the Corolla's decent performance, we struggled against the competition, particularly the turbocharged Dacia Sandero Stepway and the Peugeot 306 GTI-6. The rally, held in the Baltic States, featured 15 autoslalom stages around Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia, attracting both professional drivers and media personnel. The event, organized by the Lithuanian Journalist Auto Club, has a rich history, dating back to its inception in 1995. The car classes range from press to sport, with engine size and vehicle type (EV or classic) further categorizing participants. The registration process involves paying fees and insurance, and the event demands a well-maintained vehicle with valid roadworthiness inspection. My previous experiences with the rally, dating back to 2017, were successful, but this time, I faced challenges with my brother as co-driver. The Corolla, a 2000 model with Toyota's Full-Time 4WD, performed admirably, but it lacked the power to keep up with the faster cars. The rally's stages, from the karting track in Anykščiai to the Nida airport runway, tested our driving skills and teamwork. Despite our efforts, we finished last in our class, but the experience was rewarding, and I'm already planning to participate again next year, eager to improve and bring a different car.
