Czech Pilot Jiří Forman Notches Up First in History Success in Rotax Eurochallenge Final Round

The final round of this year's Rotax Eurochallenge series in Salbris, France, brought a Czech racing driver, Jiří Forman, immense success since the checkerboard flag waved him coming fourth! Moreover, the success resulted in eight place Jiří took in total in this year's ROTAX EUROCHALLENGE, category Senior Max.

The semi-final round had not indicated such a result at all. Jiří Forman started well and was keeping on sixth place, although the team's decision to drive on tyres used in heats turned out rash. Unlike rivals who had chosen new tyres, Jiří was driving on tyres that had already covered sixty laps. Despite the hard fight, he was gradually losing to come finally tenth, that means the starting lineup position on the outside line spot, and the hazardous zone. "I tried to override our team Protrain manager's decision just before the start, but he did not yield. It was a pity, as driving on the olds tyres killed my chance of getting ahead. I regret it more bitterly, since yesterday I was sure I could be faster than my rivals," complained the Czech driver after the semi-final.

The start of the final drive came out well, and Jiří Forman was driving around the end of the first ten at the end of the first lap. He was slowly moving ahead, got to the fourth position just behind the leading trio. Greatly fighting, he tried to overtake on every single bend an English driver Scott driving on the third position, but Scott managed to defend his position. Yet Jiří Forman's place is the best result Czech racing drivers have ever achieved in this category. "It's a real shame about that team's error in the semi-final. It is always difficult to get ahead out of the ten in the start. I knew I would be able to defeat any rival, and the times per one lap in the final drive clearly proved I could be on the podium here in France. But I feel happy I am the first Czech pilot to be among the first ten in the European series Rotax, and the eight place brings me a feeling of satisfaction after not too good beginning of this season," closed Jiří Forman.