A first for the ADAC GT Masters: Nordpass by Juta Racing is the first racing team from Lithuania to join the title hunt. Lithuanian drivers Jonas Karklys (33) and Jonas Gelžinis (35) will be racing with an Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II in their first season together. Karklys is moving to the ADAC GT Masters after two years in the ADAC TCR Germany. The pair will celebrate their race debut at the “Festival of Dreams” on 10th June, at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg. TV partner Sport1 will broadcast all twelve races of the season in full on free TV.

“There is a really good feeling throughout the environment of the ADAC race series, as the overall package is spot on, in terms of organisation and the proximity to the fans. The Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II is uncharted territory for me, as I have previously only competed with front-wheel drive cars. So, now I have to get used to the rear-wheel drive system in the Audi. However, my familiarity with the circuits from the ADAC TCR Germany will be helpful, as I already know a lot of the tracks from the ADAC GT Masters 2023 ,” says Karklys. He has spent the last two years racing in the ADAC touring car series and has celebrated a number of podium finishes.

Karklys and his team-mate Gelžinis make up the first Lithuanian driving duo in the established ADAC GT3 series. “It is an honour for Jonas and for me to be representing the colours of Lithuania. It is brilliant to be competing in such a strong championship. I view the ADAC GT Masters as one of the best GT3 formats in the world,” explains Karklys. He is particularly looking forward to the spectacular DTM event from 7th to 9th July in Nuremberg: “I haven’t yet raced at the Norisring, so I am really looking forward to the street circuit there.”