A navigator, or co-driver, is a crucial part of a racing team, and that connection extends beyond professional duties. “You spend a lot of time together, and naturally a human bond develops. We’re definitely more than just colleagues; we’re friends,” says veteran Dakar Rally competitor Benediktas Vanagas. “That connection has remained – Kuldaras has been and always will be part of the team, and it’s always great to see him.”
Kuldaras, recently returned to Lithuania, shared updates on his new professional role, his reflections on the Dakar Rally, and advice for his replacement as navigator.
– Let’s start with the most important thing. How is your health, and what’s the prognosis for the future?
– I’m feeling relatively strong internally right now, although doctors say the situation isn’t ideal. I still have metal structures inside my body, and it looks like they’ll be there permanently. It’s not a tragedy; I just need to learn to live with it and adapt.
– What have you been doing over the past year? You mentioned working with international organizations – how has that been going?
– When I realized I likely wouldn’t be able to compete professionally anymore, I still wanted to stay involved in the sport. I let my friends and colleagues around the world know, and soon received an offer to become a sports delegate for the FIA (International Automobile Federation) in the Middle East Rally Championship.
It all started with that. Over the past year, I’ve traveled extensively throughout the Middle East, beginning with the Saudi Arabia Rally, then working on rallies in Jordan and Lebanon.
After the Saudi Arabia Rally, I was invited to join the FIA working group organizing a WRC (World Rally Championship) event in Saudi Arabia, which took place in late November. So, in addition to three stages in the Middle East Championship, I visited Saudi Arabia four times as a member of the working group – both preparing for the event and during it.
In addition, I continued to work as a “scout” (gravel crew) – I attended the Monte Carlo Rally, but also worked in the Canary Islands, Central European Rally, and Japan. In fact, there’s been a lot of travel, perhaps even more than when I was racing myself.
– Do you enjoy this new pace?
– Some parts of it I enjoy, but I’ll admit the last trip to Saudi Arabia was a bit too much. It lasted too long, I was away from home for too long, and the work was very intense and tiring.
– Have you had a chance to review the route for the 2026 Dakar Rally? What are your thoughts on the changes – two marathon stages (refugee camp) and the fact that there won’t be dunes in the “empty quarter”?
– I’ve taken a look, but I haven’t gone into the regulations in great detail. However, I know the general picture. I see that the organizers have changed the concept again – they’re trying to make the route more complex and interesting. This will certainly be a challenge. While in Saudi Arabia, I spoke with friends on the Dakar organizational committee, and they confirmed that the course will definitely not be easy. That’s a fact.
– What advice would you give to the new navigator, Aisvydas Paliukėnas, based on your experience working with Benediktas?
– The most important thing is to stay strong. Honestly, I don’t know if there’s much advice needed. Aisvydas Paliukėnas and I are quite good friends. Our friendship began when we were both at the Dakar together – he was driving with Vladas Jurkevičius, and I was with Benediktas. We spent a lot of time together, and we were already discussing how to do certain things better back then. It’s not like I’m the only one giving him advice – sometimes he can advise me on things too.
This is a sport based on experience. We both have different experiences, so we can share them and learn from each other. We’ve stayed in touch throughout the season. I watched how they performed in the “Baja” series of races, and I was genuinely happy that Aisvydas took over my position. I hope they do very well.
Aisvydas is intelligent and a good navigator, so I think he’ll do great. Plus, he knows that if any questions or problems arise, he can always reach out, and I’ll always help.
15 Days Until Dakar
The Dakar Rally will take place from January 3-17, with the start and finish near the port city of Yanbu on the Red Sea coast. This year, B. Vanagas will start alongside navigator Aisvydas Paliukėnas with number 216. B. Vanagas is the Lithuanian who has started the most times and achieved the highest result in the car category at the Dakar.
