Have you learnt what time it’s? It’s time for all Scandinavian efficiency automotive fans to pack their luggage and head to Gatebil – the primary summer season pageant at Rudskogen Motorsenter in Norway is lower than two weeks away now.
Earlier than that, although, is the different huge 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 standard, I arrived on Thursday from Stockholm and bought straight amongst the groups within the paddock to see what the occasion needed to supply.
Final yr, an insane heatwave hung round in the course of the occasion. This yr it was the rain that poured down late Thursday afternoon, and the forecast wasn’t a lot better for the 72 hours of madness forward. Since water and electronics aren’t a match made in heaven, I known as it a day on Thursday, put my digital camera away and ready for what was to come back.
At 8:00am on Friday, the odor of fried eggs intermixed with tire smoke and the sound of engines revving made any ideas of a doable storm entrance rolling by way of instantly disappear. The 2024 Gatebil Summer season Pageant was effectively and actually underway.
This yr noticed the return of Monster Vitality, with drifter Dmitriy Illiyk and Gymkhana GRiD world champion Luke Woodham in attendance. Each have 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 standard. 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 is not any! As soon as the monitor dried up and the Gatebil Drift Sequence execs headed out, Mantorp Park shortly grew to become engulfed in smoke.
Since I’m a one-man workforce, I by no means spent an excessive amount of time capturing in a single spot. Operating round Mantorp was the primary train I had accomplished in months and I can not say I loved any of it. My present stamina degree 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 instances.
Kai Roger Bakken from Staff KRB Racing Motorsport was again at Mantorp Park along 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 for those who look onerous sufficient you’ll discover many hidden gems right here.
Gatebil can also 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 films? This yr, the media workforce has one thing cool cooking. Pictured above are the professional drifters able to do some Oscar-worthy performing. I’m actually wanting ahead to seeing the consequence.
Friday’s essential occasion (other than the partying after all) 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 yr, Staff Sweden took dwelling the prize.
With that occasion accomplished, drivers and spectators have been desperate to get the night shenanigans going. I nonetheless have my essential Saturday and Sunday protection to share with you, so look out for that quickly.
Alen Haseta
Instagram: hazetaa
