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For Erik Janiš and Filip Salaquarda, Spa marks the first step of a steep learning courve. So far they mostly have raced machinery ranging various single-seaters. However, currently sports cars´ endurance races and especially Le Mans Series offers strong and experienced opposition, so Erik Janiš and Filip Salaquarda have got the opportunity to experience the Le Mans Series action. 

As Erik Janiš raced at Spa with GT3 class Lamborghini Gallardo, Filip Salaquarda would make his debut at the wheel of Gran Turismo car. However both drivers really look forward to their first race with Lamborghini. Especially when they cooperate with so much experienced driver like Peter Kox. The Dutch driver has got experience with Belgian track as well as Lamborghini by Reiter Engineering. With IPB Spartak Racing entry he has competed in the last season of Le Mans Series and continued this year. In the LMS opening round at Barcelona circuit, Peter Kox coupled with the team mate Roman Rusinov won the GT1 class.

Erik Janiš: „I have just little experience with GT1 class cars. Some time ago I did a few laps with one of these cars. However, I raced in FIA GT3 series and in several endurance races of Czech Touring Car Championship – which could be my small advantage compared to Filip. Nevertheless, even for me everything will be new. However, we will cooperate with highly professional team and drive the top car, so it will be great  experience. I am curious about the car, which is really powerful. I suppose, we can achieve good result.“

Filip Salaquarda: „I will make my debut in Gran Turismo car this weekend. But I like Spa very much and I´m looking forward to Belgium. Before the race we will test the car at Nürburgring, though 1000 kilometres of Spa will be very challenging for me. For example I have realized that from the GT car´s cockpit is much worse view than from any single-seater. Also Murcielago hasn´t got any back mirrors, instead of them in the cockpit there is a camera scanning what happens behind the car and also a display.“

Peter Kox: „Spa is almost my home track, I live close to it. I knew the track very well and it counts to my favourite ones. I achieved to win 24 hours of Spa two times: once in overall ranking and once in diesel-cars ranking. I suppose, the track would suit also to our Lamborghini Murcielago and we would have a chance to win. Although I have two new team mates and little bit know just Erik, I´m convinced we would achieve good result.“

Igor Salaquarda, manager: „A few days ago we recieved very interesting offer from manufacturer Lamborghini. Filip and Erik have got the opportunity to try out the top GT1 car. 1000 kilometres of Spa would show, if they would familiarize with it. Currently sports cars´ endurance races experienced very positive period, next year will be held the first edition of GT1 World Championship – so we are considering if to go this way with our team and drivers. We will see after the race at Spa.“

Antonín Charouz, manager of Erik Janiš: „We recieved an interesting offer and decided to give Erik and Filip a chance to try out something new. We will see, how they suceed at Spa. According to their result we will take the decision how to go on.“

1000 KM SPA - SCHEDULE:

Entry list to find HERE
Results to find HERE

1000 KM SPA in TV (Sunday 10th May):

FOTOGALERIE:
Foto: BPA/Petr Frýba
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LE MANS SERIES 2009:

08/03-09/03		Le Castellet (tests)
03/04-05/04		1000 km Barcelona
25/04-26/04		Le Mans (tests)
08/05-10/05		1000 km Spa-Francorchamps
31/07-02/08		1000 km Algarve
21/08-23/08		1000 km Nürburgring
11/09-13/09		1000 km Silverstone