Photo: Alfonsas Rakauskas Photography
Visaginas rally was held in Lithuania on Saturday, where several Latvian crews also took part in the start. Benas Šimkus (”Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX”) won the Lithuanian rally sprint, while Andris Spilva/Mārtiņš Krieviņš (“Subaru Impreza GT”) took the third place, despite a 20-second penalty. AWD in the Open class. It should be noted that Spilva/Krieviņš won the 2nd place in the historical competition in the rallies of Sarma and Alūksne.
About how Spilvas/Krieviņas fared in this rally, about it in this conversation.
Andri, congratulations on the excellent result in the Lithuanian rally!
Thank you. But to be honest, we did not expect such a result. This was more like a training competition for us, so before the start our goal was to enter slightly above the average among 80 crews, but in the end we got 15th place overall and 3rd place in the rally sprint. Yes, we could have been 14th, but we made a mistake in the rotor. Despite the fact that last year we won the 21st place in the Utena Rally together with Mari Kulša, this time we were given only the penultimate number for the first lap among all the rally sprint crews, so the first lap was quite difficult, because we had to drive on the spur. However, in spite of that, we were second overall in the rally sprint. We didn’t expect to be so high, because we saved the car quite a bit. In the second lap, when we were second, we realized that we had to give it a try. I patted the panel of the little car, said sorry and let’s go (laughs).
Photo: Šarūnas Misiūnas Photography
How were the roads, the track?
The roads were very unusual. Quite narrow. For us, the gravel tests in Nītaure were conducted along a wide road, but here it was like this goat trail. When we recorded the track, the surface was already soft. But we got used to it and everything was fine. Yes, there was a lack of top speed in a couple of places, because in some places we managed to develop only 175 km/h from the hill, but in general everything was good. As far as I looked at the onboard video, we lost quite a few seconds in a couple of places due to the final speed. However, I don’t have many such rallies where I reach top speed, so I don’t plan to invest in the car at the moment to make it go faster.
I see that you were the fastest in five of the ten speed stages in the rally sprint competition.
Yes, and that is the greatest satisfaction. Perhaps the biggest joy is not the cup, which I appreciate and am proud of, but the fact that I managed to show the fastest time in five speed stages. And what’s more interesting, in all these five stages I was ahead of the nearest follower by less than a second (0.17, 0.62, 0.22, 0.06 and 0.26). It was a great pleasure that our speed was quite high. I had to blow my cheeks.
Photo: Šarūnas Misiūnas Photography
This is your second rally season. How do you rate your performance?
I have concluded that the gravel is mine. I like this cover. On the other hand, I don’t feel so comfortable in winter, it’s a little scary. I don’t know why, but I can’t go fast in winter yet. Maybe it’s because I’ve only done four winter rallies. I feel more comfortable on gravel. In general, everything is fine. With every rally we drive safer, faster.
Despite the fact that this is only your second season in rallying, you have won several cups in your classes.
Yes, the cups are piled up at home. You know how I position myself? There are people with talent, such as Blumi, Sirmacis, who can get into any car and quickly adapt and set top times, but I am a bear who is just learning to ride a bike. But you can teach a bear to ride a bike (laughs). I like the fact that our cooperation with the helmsman is also getting better and the helmsman doesn’t repeat turns for me so often anymore. Because we are going in the right direction.
Mārtiņš Krieviņš (left) and Andris Spilva. Photo: LAF Rally Commission
What are your plans for the next season?
The plans are not completely clear yet. We will certainly drive the Cēsis Rally and something possible in Lithuania, because here the organizers are very responsive and are waiting for us to visit. They call themselves, ask what plans they have, how they can help. Pleasant. But we will see. The rally is not cheap, so at the same time I am looking for supporters who would be willing to support a little.
Photo: From a private archive
Can you say that rallying is your lifestyle now?
Yes, right now my lifestyle is subordinated to rallying. The house doesn’t have all the furniture yet, but the wife understands (laughs). I’ll put it all to rest soon, and then there will be time for the furniture as well (laughs). Although it must be said that we are dumb to this way of life, which is very exciting. I’m on this “rally needle” and I don’t know when I’ll get off. But if you look at Lithuania now, there are a lot of gray uncles around. Because it must be said that for now, in my 43 years, I do not see the end of all this. It will be necessary to gently tell the wife somehow (laughs).
Photo: From a private archive
Who would you like to thank for this lifestyle of yours?
I would definitely like to say a big thank you to our families and mechanics – Sergej and Jurčik. These men work in the name of enthusiasm, and a huge thank you to them for that! Their eyes shine for their work and for our results! Sergej asked me after the rally where I would put this cup, to which I replied that I would give it to you. I would also like to say a big thank you to Karl Nebar, who selflessly gives advice both on driving and on the preparation and improvement of equipment, even if it is necessary in the middle of the night. We call him the Subaru Rally Dad (smiles).
Sergej (left) and Yurchik (right). Photo: From a private archive
I see you often Youtube put your onboard videos.
When I started driving mini-rally with Agri, there weren’t many such onboard videos with Latvian shorthand publicly available. There was nothing to learn from. Therefore, I want to put youtube their onboards so that young aspirants have something to draw from. Yesterday, one rider called to ask for advice on what and how to write better. On the other hand, after these onboard videos, the veterans advise me how and what to improve. That way we can help each other and that’s cool!
