Benediktas Vanagas, who is passionate about the durable ThinkPad X1 Carbon: “I’m glad I’m going to the Dakar with Lenovo”

2022-10-14

A few months before the Dakar, which is set to bring the whole of Lithuania to their screens, and as the ThinkPad celebrates its 30th anniversary, Lenovo announces its return to the ranks of Benediktas Vanagas’ race team partners. For a decade, the racer has been a Lenovo ambassador, relying exclusively on the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Series laptops, which he has tested in the most extreme conditions.

In one of the world’s most dangerous races, the Dakar, you can’t do without a truly rugged, powerful and reliable piece of equipment, whether it’s a race car or a computer. What’s more, such equipment must not only be able to withstand extreme tests but also weigh as little as possible. That’s why Benediktas Vanagas, who is now heading to his eleventh Dakar, is loyal to the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon series. The racer has been using the durable ThinkPad series since his IBM days, so it would be hard to imagine a better ambassador.

“I always choose equipment that will last through any obstacle course. No matter whether it’s Dakar or everyday challenges. The ThinkPad has been tested to all military standards, so it’s safe to say that it would be no big deal to go on a reconnaissance mission with such a laptop. The best way to see the ThinkPad’s full potential over time is through my own tests – I’ve held the computer overnight at 20 degrees, I’ve stood on it, and I’ve done all the extreme driving,” says Benediktas, sharing his impressions of Lenovo’s computing equipment.

It’s not only the racer who is exclusively equipped with Lenovo laptops but also all the team members that surround Benediktas Vanagas every day and helps him prepare for the race.

“This partnership is time-tested. We have supported Benediktas’ challenges and contributed to other Team initiatives, but Dakar is Dakar. The extreme conditions, the surprises, and the challenges are key components of why we are on the road. Benedikt Vanag chooses a machine he trusts for his challenges, and our customers choose ThinkPad because they trust it. We hope that this partnership will help us to reach higher goals,” says Audrius Klimaitis, Lenovo Country Manager for the Baltic States.

The Dakar starts on the 31st of December this year in Saudi Arabia.
This time the Toyota Gazoo Racing Baltics team will be truly Baltic. Kuldar Sikk, an experienced motorsport wolf, will be in the driver’s seat.

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