NEWS &
PRESS RELEASES

"The Alytus event left a really strong impression – the pit zone was close to the track, you could interact directly with spectators. Their numbers were surprising: over the weekend it seemed like there were around 10,000. That atmosphere and that vibe worked its magic – my drift team, seeing the footage and photos, didn't hesitate long and registered for Klaipėda Drift Fest." – Rustams Dzurabajevs, Latvian pilot

International Start: 30 Pilots from Five Countries

• Lithuania – 15 pilots
• Latvia – 9 pilots
• United Kingdom – 3 pilots
• Estonia – 2 pilots
• Poland – 1 pilot

"Registration is practically complete – this shows the event has attracted truly great interest." – Kastytis Alekna, event organiser representative

Although Lithuanian and Latvian pilots dominate by numbers – some are already jokingly calling it a Latvia-Lithuania drift battle – Klaipėda Drift Fest is something entirely different. It is a team skills and collective performance show where pilots aim for the smoothest, most stylish driving – not to overtake a rival, but to complement each other.

Notable First: Separate Women's Team

Among this year's Klaipėda Drift Fest participants are two women pilots. The organisers have decided to form a separate women's team and are looking for a third pilot to join the entry list.

Show Off Exhibition: 18 Spots Remaining

Alongside pilot registration, the Show Off car exhibition is also filling up. Of 30 planned participant spots, 12 are already taken. Show Off is a car exposition and showcase aimed at both motorsport enthusiasts and the general public. Those wishing to participate are invited to register.

Children's Programme and Family Zone

Klaipėda Drift Fest is an event for the whole family. Partner Rubino Vaikai has prepared a special children's programme for both days:

• June 27: 14:00–15:00 – racer relays, speed challenges and team games; 15:00–16:00 – Glitter Station and temporary racing-themed tattoos.
• June 28: 14:00–15:00 – racer relays and active games; 15:00–16:00 – free coloured candy floss for all guests.

Event Information

Event	Klaipėda Drift Fest 2026
Dates	June 27–28, 2026
Location	Dubysos st. 10, Klaipėda (next to Švyturys Arena)
Pilots	30 from 5 countries (2 spots remaining)
Show Off	12/30 taken (18 spots remaining)
Drift Taxi	Both days
Organiser	VšĮ Ichibanas / DriftArena.lt

The decision to move to a team show format was driven directly by the Alytus Drift Fest 2026 experience. When three or four cars were on track simultaneously, spectator reaction was fundamentally different from traditional tandem runs. The organisers decided not only to keep this format but to scale it to international level.

Two-Day Programme

• Saturday, June 27 – Drift Dūzgės: pilots are randomly paired and run together for the first time. This is not a competition – it is a synchronisation stage. On the same day: Show Off car exhibition and Drift Taxi.
• Sunday, June 28 – International Drift Team Show: pilots are joined into three-person teams from different countries. Three cars on track simultaneously – three styles, one team. Synchronicity, creativity and show quality are judged. Event opening at 14:00 with a participant parade.

Drift Taxi – Both Days Non-Stop

Drift Taxi remains one of the most important elements of the event. Spectators will be able to sit next to their favourite pilot or an international guest and experience drift from the passenger seat – all day long on both days.

New Venue – Klaipėda

Klaipėda Drift Fest takes place in a brand-new location – the car park by Švyturys Arena, Dubysos street side. The venue was chosen for its large area, good visibility and convenient access in the city centre. For families with children – a separate children's entertainment zone. Partner Aštrus Smūgis arrives with an active entertainment zone for adults.

Event Information

Event	Klaipėda Drift Fest 2026
Dates	June 27–28, 2026
Location	By Švyturys Arena, Dubysos st. side, Klaipėda
Saturday	Drift Dūzgės · Show Off · Drift Taxi
Sunday	International Drift Team Show · Show Off · Drift Taxi
Opening	14:00 participant parade
Admission	Paid · Children under 12 FREE
Organiser	Capital.com Racing Team

At Alytus Drift Fest 2026, taking place on Saturday May 23, a completely new entertainment drift format will be introduced – UDTC (Unknown Drift Team Challenge). The concept is simple yet intriguing: arriving pilots do not register as teams. Teams are formed only at the briefing, in front of spectators, by drawing lots. Depending on participant numbers, teams will have 3 or 4 pilots each.

Immediately after drawing lots, each team has only a few minutes to come up with their team name. From that moment the contest begins – across five different rounds, each testing a different quality of pilots and teams.

Five Rounds – Five Different Challenges

• Team drift – teams run the track together and are judged as one unit; the results of this round also serve as qualification for the final.
• Kiss the Wall – each pilot individually makes three runs as close as possible to a temporary wall, and their best result contributes to the team score.
• Show programme – teams have two minutes to present their performance; anything goes – flags, extra cars, people, any creative idea.
• Car pushing straight – pilots and spectators chosen by the pilots push cars along the straight to the finish; any spectator present can end up on track alongside a pilot.
• Team duels – Top 8 elimination final where teams battle in 2+2 consecutive runs.

Spectators – Not Just Observers

One of UDTC's core principles is maximum spectator involvement. In the car-pushing round each pilot selects both the driver's seat and the pusher's position from the spectators themselves. This means any spectator present can become a real participant in the event. Throughout the event day a Drift Taxi zone also operates – the chance to ride alongside a pilot as a passenger.

Participants and Registration

Maximum participant count – 32 pilots. Priority in registration is given to pilots who have achieved better results in LDČ (Lithuanian Drift Championship) competitions. In the event of exceptionally high interest, the organiser reserves the right to increase the participant count to 48 pilots.

"The UDTC format was born from a desire to create an event where everyone – pilot or spectator – feels part of it, not just an observer."

Event Information

Event	Alytus Drift Fest 2026
Date	May 23, 2026 (Saturday)
Format	UDTC – Unknown Drift Team Challenge
Team formation	3 or 4 pilots / team (by draw)
Max. participants	32 pilots (up to 48 with high demand)
Rounds	5 (Team drift, Kiss the Wall, Show, Car pushing, Duels)
Drift Taxi	Throughout the event