#throwbackthursday: Almost perfect weekend

#throwbackthursday: Almost perfect weekend

The third round of the season was hosted by the Poznan circuit in Poland, and it was no surprise to see a number of local drivers there. Among them was Robin Rogalski in the Audi R8 GT3 EVO2 of the Seyffarth team. It was Rogalski’s first time ever at the start of the ESET Cup race. “Racing in the ESET Cup will be an interesting experience for me. The competitors are very good drivers and I respect each of them. It’s my first time back in a car since my forearm surgery, so the race will be special for me,” Rogalski said at the time, adding that he doesn’t really know the circuit in Poznań very well: “I’ve only raced here once about six years ago in a Kia Picanto, which is a completely different car to the Audi.”

However, Rogalski is a top driver and behind the wheel of the new Audi GT3, he showed that he is one of the hot favourites for the win. He started the first sprint from the front row alongside compatriot Marcin Jedlinski and pushed his way to the front on lap four. He slowly built up a lead, but his chances of winning were dashed by a drive-through penalty for overtaking under yellow flags. Hopes for the victory were over. Third place was just a bitter end to the opening sprint.

In the afternoon, endurance awaited for the competitors. Rogalski got back in the car and, after starting from third place, managed the one-hour race to perfection. He took the lead immediately after the start and was steadily pulling away from his pursuers. He deservedly won and took his first scalp from his home circuit.

On Sunday, the Polish driver took part in the second sprint. The Seyffarth Motorsport driver started from pole position and completely dominated the 25-minute sprint in high temperatures. Rogalski was the only driver in the starting field to reach the fastest time to the one minute and thirty second mark. This ended his short journey in the ESET Cup – capped off by three TOP3 finishes, including two first places.