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.Antanas Juknevicius and Aurelijus Petraitis crossed the finish line of the Dakar Rally in the 25th overall position. 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. Overall, Antanas Juknevicius has participated in the Dakar Rally 11 times,Antanas Juknevičius received a special assessment 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.In 2008 the rally was cancelled
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 RacingAntanas Juknevicius managed international teams 5 times over his career as "Astana" team as a general team manager.Juknevicius experience was made an impression for fans
In 2019, Antanas Juknevicius was officially granted status of Dakar Rally legend.
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.
YearClassVehiclePosition2003Cars Toyota52nd2004DNF2008Event cancelled2009Cars Oscar25th2014 Toyota Hilux 2016 IRS56th„DAKAR 2014" - 56th place of the absolute Dakar Rally rating201560th„DAKAR 2015" - 60th place of the absolute Dakar Rally rating201627th„DAKAR 2016" - 27th place of the absolute Dakar Rally rating201721st„DAKAR 2017" - 21st place of the absolute Dakar Rally rating201812th„DAKAR 2018" - 12th place of the absolute Dakar Rally rating201935th202020th202123rd202242nd
Career achievements Dakar Rally 2018 - 12th place overall Rally Kazakhstan 2017 – 6th place overall Rally Kazakhstan 2016 – 3rd place overall, 1st in T2 category 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 2006Oman Desert Challenge 2006 - 2nd place overall - 2nd place overall UAE Dubai Rally 2005 - 9th place overall
References
External links Official site