The Lithuanian audience is introduced to the Lithuanian racing documentary series "Rusteika pushing like hell - GT2 European series", in which the director Dominykas Stelmokas captures the unique moments of Aurelius Rusteika and the Speed Factory team: the incredibly successful, and at the same time dramatic performance of the Lithuanian driver at the most famous tracks in Europe: the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, the Hockenheimring, the Misano World Circuit, the Spa Franscorchamps, Paul Ricard.
F1 on track in a GT2 limited edition car
Aurelijus Rusteika's name was well-known in Lithuania even before his participation in GT2 racing. He is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and passionate racing enthusiast who discovered speed almost twenty years ago and has since become a familiar face in races such as the 1000 km. It was his love of motorsport and his desire to try something new that led Rusteik to a start that not many people would dare to think about: he took to the track in a Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport in the European GT2 race for gentleman racers.
"There was not a single person who came here for the first time, like me. I may have achieved something in Lithuania, but at European level I am a complete beginner, so it was a utopia that we were going to win something. However, when I left I said that I would be very ashamed if I came last, so my goal in this competition was to try to make a difference", says Rusteika, adding that the challenge was not only for him, but also for the car he was driving. "The miracle is that this car is ready for sport, with a factory conversion of a production car", says the racer.
The emotional challenge of making your debut on such a track among world-famous drivers is also highlighted by the film's director Dominykas Stelmokas.
"In making this documentary, I realised that in motorsport at this level, you don't just have to have the desire and the experience: you have to have a unique personality. It was Aurelius's courage to participate, to not be afraid to make mistakes, despite his late debut in this class, that was highlighted by more than one participant", says the film's director D. Stelmokas. The drama of this challenge to oneself is reflected and gradually unfolds in the five-part series, which captures the intense moments of preparation, launch, success and dramatic struggle. "Aurelijus once again shows his sensitivity and stubbornness - not only in business, but also in sport", says the creator about the emotional action line of "Rusteika pushing like hell".
Lithuanian "Drive to survive"
Director D. Stelmokas is happy to have achieved what was so lacking on Lithuanian screens - capturing motorsport life at the highest level. "Even before Rusteika's idea, I watched the famous Formula 1- Drive to survive series.". I thought how fun it would be to create something like this for Lithuanians too. Dominykas smiles and stresses that the task was not easy.
"It is a double celebration for motorsport fans: firstly, for the very fact of Lithuanian participation and success in such a high-profile race, and secondly, for the fact that it is captured in a top-quality, gripping documentary series", says Gediminas Jaunius, Chief Producer of Creative House ELITAZ.
Vitalija Kibildė, Head of Telia Television, whose content library PLAY will show the series, promises more news when presenting the first Lithuanian sports documentary series: "Telia TV's successful cooperation with ELITAZ, which began with bold steps in the field of music, opens up new creative spaces - together we are entering the genre of Lithuanian sports documentaries. We are delighted to be the first to present a unique and successful documentary that captures not only the perseverance of our compatriots, but also their true success."
The documentary series "Rusteika pushing like hell - GT2 European series", produced by the ELITAZ team, is now available to watch in Telia TV's PLAY content library.