Antanas Juknevičius
Personal information
NationalityLithuania Lithuanian
Born (1974-06-13) 13 June 1974
Height170 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Weight70 kg (154 lb)
Websitehttps://dakaras.lt
Sport
CountryLithuania
SportRally raid
TeamKREDA
Juknevicius at the 2018 Dakar Rally

Antanas Juknevičius (born 13 June 1974) is a Lithuanian rally driver. He is one of the most experienced and successful professional Rally-raid drivers in Lithuania. Juknevicius is the only driver from the Baltic states to participate in every single stage of the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies.

Career

Juknevičius debuted in his first Dakar Rally back in 2003 as a co-driver for Aurelijus Petraitis. In 2009, Antanas Juknevicius and Aurelijus Petraitis crossed the finish line of the Dakar Rally in the 25th position overall which at the time was his personal best result.[1] In 2018 Juknevicius improved his personal record by finishing the Dakar Rally in 12th position, after gaining four places during the penultimate stage of a rally.[2] Overall, Antanas Juknevicius has participated in the Dakar Rally 11 times,[3] 8 times as a driver and his first 3 rallies as a co-driver. This does not include the rally in 2008, where he was also at the start line but rally was cancelled.[4]

Juknevičius is also one of the few Dakar Rally participants who took part in this event in all three continents this rally marathon has been held over the years.

In addition to his racing career Juknevičius spent five years working for Astana Racing[5] as a general team manager.[6]

In 2019, Antanas Juknevicius was officially granted status of Dakar Rally legend.[7]

Dakar Rally

Juknevičius has reached the finish line in 11 out of 12 Dakar Rallies he has started at with his personal best result being 12th overall in 2018. Since the introduction of T1+ class in 2022 Juknevičius sought to upgrade to a T1+ vehicle for the 2023 Dakar Rally. After failing to secure one, he opted to skip the event.

Year Class Vehicle Position
2003 Cars Japan Toyota 52nd
2004 DNF
2008 Event cancelled
2009 Cars Latvia Oscar 25th
2014 Japan Toyota Hilux 2016 IRS 56th[8]
2015 60th[9]
2016 27th[10]
2017 21st[11]
2018 12th[12]
2019 35th[13]
2020 20th
2021 23rd
2022 42nd

Career achievements

  • Dakar Rally 2018 - 12th place overall
  • Rally Kazakhstan 2017 – 6th place overall[14]
  • Rally Kazakhstan 2016 – 3rd place overall, 1st in T2 category[15]
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2011 – 6th place overall
  • Dakar series / Silk Way Rally 2009 – 10th place overall
  • Libya Desert Challenge 2008 - 1st place overall
  • BAJA (LT) 2007 - 1st place overall
  • BAJA (LV) 2007 - 2nd place overall
  • BAJA (BY) 2006 - 1st place overall
  • Optic Tunis 2006 - 8th place overall
  • PHARAONS Rally Egypt 2006 - 7th place overall
  • 24 Heures de FRANCE 2006 - 4th place overall
  • Oman Desert Challenge 2006[16] - 2nd place overall
  • UAE Dubai Rally 2005 - 9th place overall

References

  1. ↑ Antanas Juknevicius and Aurelijus Petraitis crossed the finish line of the Dakar Rally in the 25th overall position.
  2. ↑ "Antanas Juknevičius Lietuvai padovanojo įspūdingą Dakaro rekordą". 20 January 2018.
  3. ↑ Antanas Juknevičius received a special assessment
  4. ↑ In 2008 the rally was cancelled
  5. ↑ Antanas Juknevicius managed international teams 5 times over his career as "Astana" team
  6. ↑ Juknevicius experience was made an impression for fans
  7. ↑ "Antanas Juknevicius was officially granted status of Dakar Rally legend". 15min. 27 November 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  8. ↑ „DAKAR 2014" - 56th place of the absolute Dakar Rally rating
  9. ↑ „DAKAR 2015" - 60th place of the absolute Dakar Rally rating
  10. ↑ „DAKAR 2016" - 27th place of the absolute Dakar Rally rating
  11. ↑ „DAKAR 2017" - 21st place of the absolute Dakar Rally rating
  12. ↑ „DAKAR 2018" - 12th place of the absolute Dakar Rally rating
  13. ↑ "Official Dakar rankings - bike - quad - car - SxS - truck". www.dakar.com. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  14. ↑ "FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies – standings". 26 May 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  15. ↑ "Rally Kazakhstan 2016 – 3rd place overall". Archived from the original on 19 August 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  16. ↑ Oman Desert Challenge 2006 - 2nd place overall
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