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The three-day and three-night American Spirit 2026 festival has come to an end, along with one of the event’s most anticipated competitions — Best of Show by Signeda.
This year, the festival set a new record, with an incredible 419 crews gathering at Druskininkai Airfield. Among hundreds of exceptional American cars and motorcycles, the jury faced the difficult task of selecting the very best vehicles in each category.
A Renewed Best of Show Jury
This year, the vehicles were evaluated by a renewed jury consisting of three highly experienced automotive specialists:
Gintaras Tamulevičius from Old School Garage — a long-standing member of the Best of Show jury, well known to regular American Spirit participants.
Julius Puidokas from RetroNILL — a collector of historic cars, an expert in unique vehicles and a true automotive enthusiast.
Mindaugas Sokas from SMG Garage — a professional classic-car restorer with extensive knowledge of restoration work, technical solutions and vehicle authenticity.
Throughout all three days of the festival, the jury inspected the participants’ vehicles, spoke with their owners, discussed their findings and compared numerous exceptional machines. After many hours of intensive work, the best of the best were finally revealed.
Best of Show by Signeda Winners
Best Classic — Gintautas Bobraitis — 1935 Plymouth PJ
Best Oldies — Charles Evans — 1968 AMC AMX
Best Young — Rolandas Liuksas — 2007 Ford Mustang Shelby GT
Best Modern — Jovilė Paulauskienė — 2022 Ford Mustang Mach 1
Best Muscle — Valerij Zacharevič — 2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
Best Van — Artūras Novikovas — 1994 Chevrolet G20 Gladiator
Best Truck — Andris Vasins — 1975 Ford Ranchero
Best 4x4 — Amit Keret — 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Best Special Interest — Alvydas Mandeika — 1985 Chevrolet M1009
Best Cabrio — Tadas Medelinskas — 1975 Chevrolet
Best Rod — Egidijus Jasiūnas — 1923 Ford T Hot Rod
Best Motorcycle — Gintaras Sotas — 1984 Harley-Davidson FLH Shovelhead
Best Sport — Smiltė Valutytė — 2000 Junior Dragster
Ugliest — Tomas Michniovas — 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
Project in Progress — Mantas Ulevičius — 1974 Dodge Challenger
Best of the Best — Charles Evans and His 1968 AMC AMX
The most prestigious title of the evening, Best of the Best, was awarded to Charles Evans and his exceptional 1968 AMC AMX.
Representing Vilnius and the V8 Club, Charles arrived at the festival with a classic car powered by an eight-cylinder engine with a displacement of approximately six litres. His AMC AMX received recognition from the jury twice: first as the winner of the Best Oldies category and later as the overall best car of the entire American Spirit 2026 festival.
The AMC AMX is a distinctive model in the history of classic American motoring, originally produced by the American Motors Corporation. Its unmistakable character, sporty proportions and powerful V8 engine made it one of the most fascinating American cars of its era.
There was also a fitting coincidence: Charles’ festival participant number was 1968, matching the year in which his car was manufactured.
Charles Evans proved that a true Best of the Best vehicle requires more than a shining body and a powerful engine. It must combine history, individuality, character and the dedication of its owner.
Our warmest congratulations to Charles Evans on his well-deserved victory and the most prestigious American Spirit 2026 Best of Show by Signeda title!
We also congratulate all category winners and thank every participant who presented their car or motorcycle for the jury’s evaluation. Your vehicles, their stories and your dedication are what create the true spirit of the American Spirit festival.
We would also like to thank Signeda for presenting and supporting the Best of Show competition, as well as the members of the jury for their responsible and challenging work.
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This year, the festival welcomed an incredible 419 crews! Last year, we had 364, which means we surpassed the previous record by 55 crews. 🔥
🌍 Participants came to Druskininkai from 7 countries:
🇱🇹 Lithuania – 357 crews
🇱🇻 Latvia – 40 crews
🇵🇱 Poland – 12 crews
🇪🇪 Estonia – 7 crews
🇫🇮 Finland – 1 crew
🇳🇴 Norway – 1 crew
🇮🇪 Ireland – 1 crew
👥 In total, 733 people were registered as part of the participating crews.
🚘 The most popular car brands were:
🥇 Ford – 98 vehicles
🥈 Dodge – 93 vehicles
🥉 Chevrolet – 87 vehicles
🏆 The most popular brand and model combinations were:
1️⃣ Ford Mustang – 61
2️⃣ Dodge Challenger – 44
3️⃣ Chevrolet Camaro – 30
Over the three days of the festival, American Spirit welcomed more than 6,000 visitors!
A heartfelt thank you to every participant, club member, partner, volunteer and visitor who became part of this record. Together, we created three unforgettable days filled with exceptional vehicles, powerful engines, friendship and the true American Spirit atmosphere! 🇺🇸❤️
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🏆 This year, the “Best of Show” judging panel has been renewed!
The panel will continue to feature its long-time member, well known to everyone — Gintaras Tamulevičius from “Old School Garage”! 🇱🇹⚡
He will be joined by two true automotive professionals:
🚘 Julius Puidokas — “RetroNILL”, a collector of historic vehicles and a true oldtimer enthusiast.
🔧 Mindaugas Sokas — “SMG Garage”, a professional vehicle restorer.
A renewed judging panel may also bring a fresh and interesting perspective! For participants, this is not only a chance to compete for the title of the best car, but also a great opportunity to present their vehicle and speak with people who truly understand cars, their history and restoration.
🤝 The “Best of Show” competition is presented by Signeda, one of Lithuania’s best-known suppliers of automotive parts and body components.
What is “Best of Show”?
It is a competition to select the most beautiful, interesting and best-prepared cars at the festival. The judging panel will assess the overall appearance of each vehicle, its condition, originality, quality of workmanship, uniqueness and attention to detail.
All category winners will receive prizes, while the owner of the “Best of the Best” car will receive a €500 Signeda voucher! 🔥
Do you have a car you are proud of? Don’t miss your chance — take part, present it to the judging panel and show it to the entire American Spirit audience!
👉 More information and registration:
https://americanspirit.lt/index.php/lt/dalyviams/best-of-show
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All three days, in the tent near registration, you'll be able to grab official American Spirit festival merch – t-shirts, mugs, watches, teddy bears, stickers, and more!
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Great news for all style lovers – throughout the whole festival, a real Barber Corner will be open!
And it's not just a corner – two professional teams from Vilnius and Kaunas are ready to take care of both participants' and visitors' hair and beards:
✂️ Elizaro Artelė (Vilnius)
✂️ Modish Barbers (Kaunas)
👉 This time, everyone will truly look stylish and American!
🥊 Friday, July 31, 19:30 – Barber Battle: a challenge like you've never seen before!
Elizaro Artelė will go head-to-head with Modish Barbers – but this time, not at a regular chair in a calm tent. We're putting the barbers in pickup trucks, and they'll have to create a brand-new look for their guest in the time it takes the truck to drive across the whole festival grounds!
No stillness, no stable surface – just speed, adrenaline, and pure skill.
Have you ever imagined getting your look transformed inside a moving pickup truck?
This time, it's happening. Which barber team will work with the most precision and the coolest nerves, even while the ground is shaking beneath them?
👤 Want to become a model for this challenge?
If you're not afraid of a change of image and you're ready to feel the real Barber Battle adrenaline – sign up in the Barber Corner zone and become part of the show!
🏆 The winning barber team will be awarded by our partner – Cascada Professional
Cascada Professional – the leading beauty products brand in Lithuania. Professional tools and equipment for beauty salons.
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Well, here we are — online registration is officially closed, and the numbers speak for themselves: 375 cars and motorcycles are already lined up for their spot at the festival. That means our community keeps growing: last year we had 363 crews, nearly 50 of whom registered right on event days, showing up spontaneously. So if you haven't registered yet — don't worry, the tradition continues this year too: you'll be able to register right at the festival.
After going through all the entries, we gathered a few facts we simply have to share:
How many countries are joining? This year we'll see participants from at least 7-8 different countries — mostly from Lithuania, of course, but a good number are coming from Latvia, and crews have also registered from Poland, Estonia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Norway. The American car community clearly knows no borders.
Which brands dominate? Three titans reign here:
- Dodge – 86 cars
- Ford – 84 cars
- Chevrolet – 69 cars
Followed by Jeep (26), Cadillac (18), and Chrysler (15).
Elders and youngsters. The oldest officially registered car is a 1932 Ford Model B, brought by Maciej Reimus — a true 94-year-old veteran! And if we're talking about the most striking vintage showpiece, it's undoubtedly the 1923 Ford T, converted into a hot rod (Egidijus Jasiūnas). Meanwhile, the youngest member of the lineup is a 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee — fresh off the showroom floor.
By the way, we'll have a real 113 oldtimers (30 years or older) this year — nearly a third of all participants!
Going through the names revealed something fun too — the most common participant name is Darius (12 times!), closely followed by Marius and Tomas. So if someone shouts "Darius!" at the festival and several people turn around at once — don't be surprised, it's statistically inevitable.
And if we count everyone planning to come along with their crews — friends, family, fellow travelers — that adds up to more than 660 people. A true celebration of the American way of life!
Didn't manage to register? No problem!
Registration on event days will happen right at the festival venue — come with your car or motorcycle and join the community live. As last year showed, about 50 crews did exactly that!
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Online registration closed!
A total of 375 cars and motorcycles have registered!
If you're planning to attend but haven't registered yet, you can register on the event days. Terms of participation here https://americanspirit.lt/index.php/en/for-participants/participation-conditions
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If you think the best adventures only happen in movies – think again. "American Spirit Beer Run" proves otherwise every single year! It's a kind of mini "Cannonball Run" through the most beautiful roads of Dzūkija, bringing together travel, teamwork, thrill, and genuinely good vibes.
Along the route, you'll be treated not only to stunning views of Dzūkija through your car window, but also to unexpected, fun challenges that call for cleverness, quick thinking, and – of course – team spirit. At the Tarzania adventure park, you'll tackle active team-building challenges that require a bit of courage and agility. Later, at a Dzūkija beer restaurant, participants will face tasty trials – tastings and flavor-recognition challenges that any beer lover will enjoy.
"Beer Run" is a chance to spend time with people who also love adventure, a good laugh, and friendly competition. No special experience or preparation needed – this is a maximally tourist-friendly format, open to everyone, where good vibes matter far more than the result.
Forming your team is simple – your crew size is limited only by the seating capacity of your car as an American Spirit 2026 participant. So invite along anyone who can fit in the car with you! The only technical requirement is that at least one team member has a phone with Viber installed, since that's how tasks will be sent and discussed.
And most importantly – this adventure isn't about speed! It's not about who crosses the finish line first, but who completes the tasks in the most creative and original way. So relax, enjoy the ride, and let your imagination run free.
How to join?
📅 Thursday, July 30, 2026
🕓 16:00–18:00
📍 Gather at the American Spirit stage
No pre-registration needed – just show up at 16:00 by the stage, and we'll start together!
The whole adventure takes approximately 2–3 hours, and tasks will be given to participants in both Lithuanian and English, so anyone can join – no matter where you're from. No special equipment needed – just good vibes, a willingness to enjoy the roads and company of Dzūkija, and at least one team member with Viber on their phone.
So if you want to feel the true spirit of American freedom in the heart of Dzūkija – "Beer Run" is waiting for you! 🇺🇸🍻
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The goal is to determine the friendliest and most active car club.
REGISTRATION
Any club wishing to participate in the championship must register by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than July 24.
The application must include:
- the club name;
- the name of the person responsible for coordinating the club’s participation in the championship;
- the responsible person’s phone number.
Important! If fewer than 3 clubs register, the championship will be cancelled.
Club requirements
- The club must have a name and an emblem.
- At least 4 club members and the club president must participate.
- The club does not have to be officially registered and may also be an informal association.
Participation in the individual stages will be coordinated between Aleksandras Palivonas (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone +370 636 56 856) and the appointed club representative.
The best club will be determined by the total number of points collected during all stages, including bonus points awarded for participation in additional activities.
The official awards ceremony will take place on August 1 at 7:30 PM.
STAGES AND POINTS SYSTEM
STAGE 1 – Tire Change Relay
Date: July 30
Time: 8:30 PM
Location: Burnout Area, Aerodrome
Participants: at least 4 club members
Each club participates using a vehicle of its choice.
Task
The first two team members run to the vehicle, remove the front wheel on the driver’s side, and carry it back to the starting line, where the other two team members are waiting.
The second pair then carries the wheel back to the vehicle and reinstalls it. Finally, the vehicle is lowered, and the team members return to the finish line.
The time is measured from the start until the final team members cross the finish line.
Important: Before the start, all wheel bolts will be checked and must be properly tightened. If the bolts can be easily loosened by hand during the inspection, the team will be required to tighten them properly.
A vehicle is defined as an officially registered Category B vehicle with valid registration plates.
- 100 points – fastest club;
- 50 points – second-fastest club.
EXTRA STAGE – “CLUB DJ BATTLE”
Date: July 30
Time: 10:00 PM
Location: Main festival tent
Participants: each club appoints one representative – a DJ
TASK
During the “Club DJ Battle”, the clubs’ DJs will compete to see who can best energise the crowd and create a true party atmosphere.
Each DJ will perform their own prepared programme. The estimated duration of each performance is 30 minutes.
The number and duration of the sets may change depending on the number of clubs participating in the championship. The total duration of all performances will be up to 3 hours.
The performance order will be determined by drawing lots during Stage 1.
The final number and duration of the sets will be announced on July 25.
TECHNICAL SETUP
The organisers will provide:
- a sound system;
- an audio mixer;
- a microphone;
- a computer running Windows with Winamp installed and a crossfade function;
- active access to YouTube.
DJs may use the organisers’ computer or connect their own equipment, including:
- a laptop;
- a DJ controller;
- a phone;
- another audio playback device.
A 3.5 mm mini-jack audio connection will be available. DJs wishing to use another type of connection must bring their own suitable cable or adapter.
The audio mixer has 6.3 mm jack inputs.
DJs may also use their own lighting equipment, smoke machines or other stage effects.
Additional support performances may also be organised, for example:
- dancers;
- go-go dancers;
- a club support team;
- other show elements.
JUDGING
The entire “Club DJ Battle” will be judged by:
- DJ Cabano, with 42 years of experience hosting disco events;
- Olegas “Crazy Nova” Dmitrijevcevas, leader of “Drag Manjak”, the 2025 “Club Battle” championship-winning club.
The judging panel will evaluate:
- the DJ’s ability to energise the crowd;
- audience participation;
- the ability to keep people dancing and having fun;
- the overall atmosphere and energy of the performance.
Technical DJ skills, such as complex mixing, will not be the main judging criterion.
The most important things are a great vibe, energy and a happy crowd!
Each judge will independently award:
- 100 points – to the DJ who creates the best atmosphere;
- 50 points – to the DJ who creates the second-best atmosphere.
BONUS POINTS FOR THE CLUB
By joint decision of both judges, the following will also be awarded:
- 150 points – to the club whose members participate most actively and provide the strongest support throughout the entire “Club DJ Battle”.
IMPORTANT
We strongly request that no Russian music be included in the programme.
STAGE 2 – Presidents’ Battle “Accurate Hands”
Date: July 31
Time: 12:00 PM
Location: Burnout Area
Participants: one representative from each club – the club president or an appointed substitute
The club president must roll a tire from the beginning of the Burnout Area toward a 1-metre-wide gate located at the opposite end of the area.
Each participant is given one practice roll and three scored rolls. Only successful rolls through the gate are counted.
After all presidents have completed their attempts, the two participants with the highest scores will be selected. More than two participants may advance if the results are tied.
A second round and, if necessary, additional rounds will then be held until the most accurate participant is determined.
- 100 points – most accurate club;
- 50 points – second-best result.
STAGE 3 – Burger Cooking Competition
Date: July 31
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: BBQ Alley
Participants: up to 4 cooks from each club plus the club president
The club president does not participate in the cooking but evaluates the burgers prepared by competing clubs.
By 2:00 PM, the team must be fully prepared and must bring:
- a grill;
- charcoal or charcoal briquettes;
- all necessary tools;
- all required ingredients.
Important: All ingredients must be unprocessed. The only exceptions are minced meat and sauces, which may be prepared in advance but must be stored in non-transparent containers.
Each team must have enough ingredients to prepare the same number of burgers as the number of clubs participating in the championship.
Burger preparation begins at 2:00 PM, starting from the moment the fuel is lit. Burgers must be submitted for judging no later than 2:50 PM.
Burgers submitted after the deadline will not be judged.
Main judge
Kristupas Krivickas, organiser of the 4th Lithuanian BBQ and Grill Championship “Ugnis šneka, dūmas šnibžda 2026”.
Judging criteria:
- presentation;
- level of doneness;
- juiciness;
- taste.
- 100 points – best burger;
- 50 points – second-best burger.
Club presidents’ judging
Each club president evaluates the burgers prepared by competing clubs. Presidents may not evaluate their own club’s burger.
- 100 points – best burger;
- 50 points – second-best burger.
STAGE 4 – Club Presentation
Date: August 1
Time: 3:15 PM
Location: Main Stage Area
Participants: all club members – the more, the better – and up to 3 vehicles
Task
Present your club creatively by telling the audience about its activities, members and goals.
The club will also be required to answer three questions from the event host.
The presentations will be judged by the Best of Show judging panel.
- 100 points – most original club;
- 50 points – second-most original club.
BONUS POINTS
Club parking area decoration
Points may be awarded for the best-decorated club parking area.
Each club president awards 100 points to another club which, in their opinion, has created the best-decorated parking area.
Presidents may not vote for their own club.
Participation in additional activities
- “Burnout” – 50 points;
- “Beer Run” – 50 points;
- “Me and My Car” – 50 points;
- Team Football – 100 points;
- Club representative in the “Pin-Up” Competition – 150 points;
- Participation in the “Stars and Stripes” Party – 200 points;
- “Teddy Bear Parade” – 50 points.
Participation in additional activities will be recorded on a special card.
The card will be issued to the team representative and must be returned to Aleksandras Palivonas before the beginning of Stage 3.
PENALTIES AND RULES
A team may be disqualified for unfriendly or disrespectful behaviour toward other participants or event organisers.
The final results will be considered official and may not be appealed.
The championship is organised for one reason only – so that everyone can have fun and enjoy a friendly time together! 🚗🔥
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🔥 Whose suspension is the toughest? This year, we’re going to find out!
Together with Jeep Spirit, we are launching a brand-new challenge — the “Jeep Articulation” Suspension Battle!
What is suspension articulation? It is a vehicle suspension’s ability to allow the wheels to move up and down independently while maintaining the best possible contact between all four wheels and the ground.
For this challenge, Jeep Spirit will build a special articulation ramp. Each participant will drive one front wheel as high up the ramp as possible, while we watch how far the vehicle can climb before one of the other three wheels lifts off the ground!
🏁 We will compete in two categories:
🔸 JEEP / 4×4 – off-road vehicles and SUVs
🔸 STOCK – other standard vehicles
📅 Friday, July 31, 2026
🕐 1:00 PM
📍 Burnout Area
Any registered American Spirit 2026 participant may take part. No advance registration is required — vehicles will enter the challenge on a first-come, first-served basis.
🏆 The participants with the best results will receive prizes provided by Jeep Spirit immediately after the competition!
Show everyone what your vehicle’s suspension can really do! 🚙💪
