Emilija Gelazninkiene shares her thoughts on competing in up-coming Dakar Rally 2024 for the first time in T4 category. As the Lithuanian driver explains, not only has racing the world’s most iconic Rally been a life-long ambition, but turning goals into reality has been a process Emilija has embraced with strength of mind and determination.
Certainly, a career background in motorbikes, followed by meeting her husband whose Motorsport career in Off Road Rally meant sharing the same passion for racing prompted Emilija to spearhead her transition to race behind the wheel in Rallies and Cross Country Championships.
Admitting, the process was not entirely straight-forward, with many doubting her talent, skills, and knowledge competing against seasoned driver’s – male and female – Emilija proved results matter when podiums were gained – most recently in 2023 Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge T4 classification.
Taking on board all planning required to gain entry confirmation to race Dakar, Emilija along with husband Arunas Gelazninkas, put together strategies on how to realize objectives, backed by their established business of coaching rider’s at home, and more recently setting up a MX rider base in Dubai.
As Emilija explains: ‘I have already completed 6 Rally Raid races and 1 Cross Country race in Abu Dhabi’s empty quarter desert just one week ago. This year, we have established our Dakar Dubai by MX Ride base in the UAE, which means I am now inside the buggy every day, preparing for the Dakar alongside other riders and drivers who will be participating in DAKAR 2024. I believe that the key to the best preparation is to continue driving more and more’.
Unsurprisingly, Emilija completed Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge solo – a rare accomplishment – taking on board the challenge of driving and navigating on her own. Such power of conviction that her strength of mind can push through obstacles as vast as surfing the sand dunes of the Liwa desert, to making it across the finish line while feeling distinctly unwell, proves the 30 year old female driver has all capabilities of tackling the 46th edition of Dakar.
Emilija: ‘Despite the challenge of feeling unwell, my only goal was to finish the race, knowing that the Dakar would be even more demanding. Sitting alone in the buggy, it was just me and my thoughts. I made the decision to push through and reach the finish line, regardless of the obstacles. In the end, I achieved my first-ever podium finish in the buggy class, and I was the only female participant in the cars/buggies category’.
With count-down on for Dakar Rally 2024, Emilija and husband Arunas have completed daunting process of actioning plans to gain debut entry for racing T4 category – on board the Team’s Can-Am Maverick XRS Turbo vehicle from Prologue to Stages 1 -12 on the varied terrain of Saudi Arabia. So, what will Emilija focus on, from now to the start, and what will be her main principle of thought in preparation to race the world’s most grueling rally on the Motorsport calendar?
Emilija: ‘My co-driver is my husband, who has won the Dakar Malle Moto class twice. I believe he has enough experience to set a strategy for the race. The only thing I need to do is to be patient and understand that the Dakar Rally consists of 12 stages. Okay, I have one more task – to enjoy every moment of the Dakar Rally because it is the biggest dream of my life, and I’m finally doing it! I’m truly grateful to everyone who helped me get here’.
Dakar Rally 2024 January 5 – 19. Header photo: Emilija Gelazninkiene Image: Team.
Words: Sharon Cox.
that this is exactly her favorite part of this sport. “You never know what’s waiting for you 5 or 10 km away. No matter how well you plan your route, preparation, strategy, in a rally everything is determined by many details that you cannot predict.
ompetitions, and she does not need to rest from the multitude of engines. “Do I need to take my mind off the engines?” I don’t think so. I love it, I ride it every day.
One needs a cool head, the other needs a sense to enjoy the moment and not just think about how to outdo everyone. The main thing you would need in the rally, I think, is patience, because the Dakar Rally is two weeks, not one day.” “We go to our
In my case, the preparation has been going on for two years. It was not really the case that I stopped for a period of time, because if the weather conditions are bad in Lithuania, we come to Dubai and train here. There are no brakes and it’s easier for us to do it, you could say, because we have somewhere to come and we have somewhere to train.
Unfortunately, rides in the Gariūnai quarries or other quarries will not replace the desert, so you need to invest and prepare all the time,” she explained
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