Slovene Nik Štefančič is always one of the favourite drivers for winning in Twingo Cup. He has been racing in this championship since 2019 and won the title last year. The reigning champion therefore has only one goal – to repeat last year’s success and become the first Twingo Cup driver to win twice in a row.
Tell as about your career in motorsport. How it all started, where you have been racing and what is your biggest success?
My dad bought me my first go-kart when I was 6 years old and I would usually drive it on some empty car parks on the weekends. My first year of competitive karting was at a national level in 2013. I wasn’t anywhere near others of my age in terms of talent, but I was determined to work on it. Then I stuck in karting for a bit, highlights were maybe finishing 3rd in Junior category in CEZ in 2017 and 2018, and also winning the national championship in 2018 amongst juniors. Then I made the switch to Twingo Cup in 2019 and the rest is history.
Let´s talk about the opening round of the Twingo Cup in ESET Cup. You were contender for the win in both races, but the victory didn´t come. What happened?
Yeah, in my opinion it was quite a strange weekend. I knew from practice sessions that I had the pace to win at least one race, the problem is that the end result isn’t what I wanted. It just shows that motorsport isn’t just about outright pace, it’s also about luck. In first I had a little miscommunication with a lapped backmarker, but he apologised to me after the race, explaining it was his first race. And in second race it was just the timing of the safety car that ruined my chances of the victory.
You and the opponents were fighting basically from start to finish. What´s the best strategy in Twingo Cup. Be caution and fight by the end of the race or is it better to “go for it” in every opportunity?
The reason why we don’t see first driver get away from the group is because the cars produce a lot of drag. It means that the slipstream is super effective, and the cars behind you can easily catch up on the straight. When I was at the front, trying to protect my position, I found my tires overheating and losing grip at the end of the race. That’s why my strategy for the past few years was staying at the back of the leading group and trying to move forward on the last 2-3 laps. It has bit me in the past multiple times, with a pre-mature end to the race, either because of the safety car or red flag.
What is a best advice you got about racing with those small cars?
I don’t think it’s a lot different to other cars with engine and drive at the back. It’s true that I haven’t race with many other cars, but the approach is still the same. Try and get the back end loose to get the front to turn, drift a little through the whole corner and try to get on throttle as soon as possible.
You have a lot of experience with Twingo Cup. What brings you back to Twingo Cup and didn´t you consider move to the higher level?
I had wishes about moving to higher level of car racing, but I don’t it will ever happen due to financial reasons. Ever since the start of my career the only sponsor that I ever had were my parents. They have helped me through karting and now in car racing. I must not forget to thank my team Lema racing, who have helped my family get through races in Twingo Cup with some discounts in exchange for help on race and non-race weekends.
So what are your goals for this season and are you going to race elsewhere?
The plan is really simple: be the first ever back to back Twingo Cup champion. Sure, the first weekend wasn’t a great start to the season, but I can work with it.
Tell as about your career in motorsport. How it all started, where you have been racing and what is your biggest success?
My dad bought me my first go-kart when I was 6 years old and I would usually drive it on some empty car parks on the weekends. My first year of competitive karting was at a national level in 2013. I wasn’t anywhere near others of my age in terms of talent, but I was determined to work on it. Then I stuck in karting for a bit, highlights were maybe finishing 3rd in Junior category in CEZ in 2017 and 2018, and also winning the national championship in 2018 amongst juniors. Then I made the switch to Twingo Cup in 2019 and the rest is history.