Have you learnt what time it’s? It’s time for all Scandinavian efficiency automotive fans to pack their baggage and head to Gatebil – the principle summer season pageant at Rudskogen Motorsenter in Norway is lower than two weeks away now.
Earlier than that, although, is the different massive Gatebil occasion held at Mantorp Park in Sweden. The Gatebil Summer season Pageant – cease two within the five-event Gatebil 2024 season – is the place I discovered myself the weekend earlier than final.
As normal, I arrived on Thursday from Stockholm and received straight amongst the groups within the paddock to see what the occasion needed to provide.
Final 12 months, an insane heatwave hung round through the occasion. This 12 months it was the rain that poured down late Thursday afternoon, and the forecast wasn’t significantly better for the 72 hours of madness forward. Since water and electronics aren’t a match made in heaven, I referred to as it a day on Thursday, put my digital camera away and ready for what was to return.
At 8:00am on Friday, the scent of fried eggs intermixed with tire smoke and the sound of engines revving made any ideas of a potential storm entrance rolling by instantly disappear. The 2024 Gatebil Summer season Pageant was properly and really underway.
This 12 months noticed the return of Monster Vitality, with drifter Dmitriy Illiyk and Gymkhana GRiD world champion Luke Woodham in attendance. Each had been driving S-chassis automobiles and able to tear issues up.
As automobiles rolled into pit lane, it felt just like the occasion was a lot quieter than normal. Granted, it was nonetheless early on Friday morning, however maybe many spectators noticed the climate report and determined Saturday was sufficient. Or perhaps the hype for this Scandinavian automotive phenomenon is coming to an finish?
I can safely say the reply to the latter isn’t any! As soon as the monitor dried up and the Gatebil Drift Sequence execs headed out, Mantorp Park shortly turned engulfed in smoke.
Since I’m a one-man staff, I by no means spent an excessive amount of time taking pictures in a single spot. Operating round Mantorp was the primary train I had carried out in months and I can not say I loved any of it. My present stamina stage is horrible.
The dry monitor additionally happy the Gatebil Excessive time assault opponents. They wasted no time pushing their automobiles to the restrict – and past in some circumstances.
Kai Roger Bakken from Group KRB Racing Motorsport was again at Mantorp Park together with his iconic Lotus Esprit. Gatebil wouldn’t be Gatebil with out Kai’s bonkers creations.
Whereas the wild on-track motion and loopy occasion environment are what most individuals flock to Gatebil for, there’s a lot extra to those occasions. Even the paddock is an fascinating place to go to, and if you happen to look arduous sufficient you’ll discover many hidden gems right here.
Gatebil can be a automotive present. Thursday is the occasion setup day, however due to the dangerous climate, it was nonetheless coming collectively on Friday. The Present Backyard was filling up properly, and I returned on Saturday to test it out in additional element. I even shot a highlight right here, so look out for that within the coming weeks.
Do you bear in mind the Gatebil after motion pictures? This 12 months, the media staff has one thing cool cooking. Pictured above are the professional drifters able to do some Oscar-worthy appearing. I’m actually wanting ahead to seeing the consequence.
Friday’s principal occasion (aside from the partying in fact) is the night drift battle between Sweden and Norway within the Nordkampen Showdown (Struggle of the North).
This can be a pleasant competitors, however some spectators deal with it like a premier league derby match.
It’s enjoyable to see two nations go face to face, however there can solely be one winner. This 12 months, Group Sweden took house the prize.
With that occasion carried out, drivers and spectators had been desperate to get the night shenanigans going. I nonetheless have my principal Saturday and Sunday protection to share with you, so look out for that quickly.
Alen Haseta
Instagram: hazetaa
