This year Tomáš Erdélyi raced with his fastest car ever. Switching to BMW Z4 GT3 together with Šenkýř Motorsport was a big risk, but after only just a few kilometres it was clear that Erdélyi is a favourite for the GT3 Trophy category. And he ends the 2018 season as an ESET Sprint championship winner.
Your first ever season with a GT3 car went very well and you have won the GT3 Trophy in Sprint championship. Did you expect something like that before the season?
I didn’t have any ambitions in my first ever GT3 season. I just wanted to learn the GT3 cars and have fun on beautiful ESET circuits. I didn’t even dream that something like this could happen. Of course, it wouldn’t be possible without a top team like Šenkýř Motorsport.
You have been fighting mostly with Lubomír Jakubík throughout the whole season. In the Sprint and Endurance as well. Is he a tough competitor?
Lubomír is a mature and very experienced racing driver who participated in some world-class competitions and it was an honour to battle him. We had been switching on the top step of the podium until the final race and he still had a chance going into the final race, but then a big accident at the start decided it. However, it was a true gentleman racing and I really appreciate it. Big thanks to Lubomír and others for that.
Which win was the best one?
That‘s hard to tell, probably Slovakia Ring which was a big challenge for teams and drivers, because it was really so hot in the cars.
Which circuit suited you and your BMW the most?
I like all the circuits because every single one is somehow special. On the other hand, BMW Z4 likes more technical circuits like Hungaroring, where there is not such a huge emphasis on the engine.
What was the most difficult thing about switching to a GT3 car?
BMW Z4 GT3 is a very nice car, I really enjoyed its driving characteristics and its brakes. It’s also very strong in aerodynamics and because of that, it took me a while to build a confidence. I used to rely much more on the mechanical grip in the past, rather than aerodynamics, and the rear wing on Z4 works brilliantly.
Your GT3 premiere went very well, what plans do you have for the next year?
We have nothing confirmed right now, but we are in discussions with Robert Šenkýř and we are considering what to do in the future. Our number one priority is a fair-play championship.
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