On the new season's threshold |
- 10. 1. 2006, Hradec Králové -Last year, the company ČESKOSLOVENSKÝ MOTORSPORT, a. s. headquartering in Hradec Králové introduced the project called 'INTERNET EXPRES Prima Team'. The main objective of this project was to gather the experience of a number of top-class series, such as the World Touring Car Championship, the FIA GT World Championship, or the European Truck Racing Cup. The team's first-priority driver, Adam Lacko, had to cope with a tight program: in the course of the season, he had the opportunity to drive seven different vehicles. The general manager of the team, former racing driver and European Truck Racing Cup Champion Stanislav Matějovský, thinks highly of the experience gathered: 'We have fulfilled our plan one hundred percent. Despite the fact that we did not take part in the whole series abroad, we have gathered the wealth of experience. We have tried out this method and obtained the necessary grasp, knowledge and contacts. Owing to this, we have enhanced our skills and capabilities. The experience gained will be used to the maximum extent in the upcoming season. The preparatory works are already well under way.' The European Truck Racing Cup series is the main series among those undertaken by the ČESKOSLOVENSKÝ MOTORSPORT this year. Stanislav Matějovský explained: 'Truck races are on the great rise. The series should see the participation of five Mercedes trucks supported by the manufacturer and, furthermore, the same number of MAN trucks, two Buggyra trucks, and other truck makes. The field is expected to comprise up to forty trucks, and the top of the field will expand to include up to fifteen drivers. The participation in the whole Cup series (eight racing events altogether) is a great challenge for us.' Despite the last year's changed strategy, the INTERNET EXPRES Prima Team maintained its contact with the European Truck Racing Cup. Lacko with the Buggyra took part in three events. The general manager is planning: 'I believe that we will make use of our rich experience and Adam will be contesting the podium placings. We have already purchased a MAN truck and, at present, we are working on it in our workshops in Hradec Králové. We want to carry out the first testing in the middle of March.' Another major sphere of activities will include the most important domestic racing events: Division D4 of the Racing Car Circuit Championship of the Czech Republic and the Česká pojišťovna-Škoda Octavia Cup. Last year, the Hradec-Králové-based team triumphed at the races contested by their strong domestic rivals, and Stanislav Matějovský, on behalf of the team, took over the trophy of the best team of the Racing Car Circuit Championship of the Czech Republic. 'Our main goal is to defend the first place in the teams' standings. Jiří Skula will be contesting the 1400cc category, and the drivers and cars for the two-litre category will be determined within two weeks,' Matějovský said and went on to confirm that the same target, that is, the first place in the teams' standings, has been set for the ČP Škoda Octavia Cup as well. The three Octavia cars entered for this series are to be driven by Adam Lacko, Michal Matějovský and Filip Albrecht respectively. Stanislav Matějovský intends to make use of the experience gained in the World Championships and in the Championship of the Czech Republic in the commercial sphere. He explained: 'We are the only Czech team to have taken part in the races of the World Touring Car Championship and, naturally, we want to make use of the contacts and experience gathered. We are able to arrange and, subsequently, to provide for the participation in the World Championship races and in other top-class events. A number of customers took interest in our services in the past days. Owing to our large vehicle fleet and owing to our facilities we are able, in the 'turn-key' manner, to arrange a start in a series selected.' The team's complete program for this season will be presented at the traditional press conference in Hotel Ambassador in Prague in March. |
