24.10.2003 AFTER MONZA MENX REFLECT WITH SATISFACTION ON THEIR DEBUT SEASON IN THE FIA GT SERIES

The first season of the Czech team MENX in the FIA GT championship bring a great result for Robert Pergl who finished inside the top 10 drivers of the N-GT class. He was helped by Jarek Janiš, Tomáš Enge and Yannick Schroeder who shared the car in various races during the season.

There were mixed emotions in the team after the last race of the season at Monza because Robert Pergl had to retire on lap three. However, the feeling of disappointment was soon replaced and there were smiles, as the Czech team had showed professional and consistent performance for the whole season, which was its first in the prestigious sports car championship. Pergl’s 10^th place in the final standings of the N-GT represents a great reward. Their Ferrari 360 Modena was prepared solely by the group of Czech mechanics and the car was one of the most reliable in the field and others competitors saw that.

Robert Pergl: “Of course, I had different idea how to finish the season. Unfortunately, I made a small mistake and spun off. The car was okay but the rear wheels stuck in the gravel and the track marshals did not allow me to continue. Italy is probably not our lucky country. But on the other hand, I managed to fulfil my aim to finish in the top 10 of the championship and this is a great success for me. I am proud that I have raced with the best sports car drivers in the world. I would like to say a big thank you to the whole team. They did an amazing job and we showed that we can prepare the car at the highest level. I am a bit disappointed now because of the retirement from the race but I think that it will soon change into delight from our performances during the whole year.”

Jarek Janiš: “I drove only in the warm up today and the car felt good. It is shame that I was not able to get behind the wheel in the race but it is part of motorsport. I think that I met expectations in my starts and contributed to Robert’s great result in the final classification. I have had a perfect relationship with the team. There is a great atmosphere inside and I have been happy to be part of it. Spa was the high point of the season, we all have marvellous memories.”

Ivo Horn, technical director: “We are understandably disappointed due to retirement, especially as some problems hit many favourites and we had a chance to score a good result. Anyway, to be wise after the event is very easy and there is no sense to talk about if. We always share success and disappointment as a team and I guess that we can be satisfied with our participation. Even though we were rookies, we have not damaged the name of the Czech motorsport that is for sure. We had one of the most reliable cars and all drivers always worked 100% for the team. Robert finished in the top 10 and it is a sensational result, which will be probably fully appreciated only after some time.”