Jáchym Galáš from Mičánek Motorsport team became the champion of the GTC category in his first season. The Lamborghini Super Trofeo suited him perfectly, as he demonstrated with seven victories. However, the path to the title was not as easy as it might seem at first glance.
First and foremost, what led to the decision to transition from touring cars to sports cars?
Last year, I was more or less done with TCR races, and when the opportunity to drive a Lamborghini came up, I was immediately on board. It represented a challenge for me and a further step forward in my career.
The transition to a completely different racing car must have been difficult. How long did it take for you to adapt to the new concept?
The first half of the season was demanding for me because I was still learning the car. Previously, I was used to a front-wheel-drive car with the engine in the front and no traction control. And suddenly, I switched to a completely different machine with rear-wheel drive, a mid-engine, and traction control. Initially, I didn’t know how to handle the Lamborghini and drove it as if it were a TCR car. I was gentle on the throttle and so on. I had habits that I had to get rid of. Nevertheless, I managed to overcome it, and in the first half of the season, I won four races.
And in the second half of the season, were you already well-adjusted?
During the entire summer break, I did nothing else but train on the simulator. I knew that I had been winning races so far thanks to the experience that Matěj didn’t have yet. From the second half of the year, my goal was simply to be faster than Matěj. However, neither of us won the first race after the summer break; Dennis Waszek did. He used to be a tough competitor because he was very good at strategic thinking during races. For example, he never let himself be caught behind the safety car when I tried to create a gap during a restart.
In Slovakia, both you and Matěj won, and then it was time for the final race in Brno, where you dominated. What was the key to your superiority?
I’ve always liked Brno, and I’ve always done well here. At the same time, it’s challenging because of the track’s width, which can be deceiving. For example, you might feel like you didn’t quite hit the corner, but as soon as you exit it, you realize that you didn’t hit it at all. Brno is also my home race; it’s the season finale, and I was going for the title, so I wanted to win here at all costs. And I succeeded; I won both qualifying sessions and both races.
You and Matěj dominated the GTC category. Did your relationship change throughout the year? After all, it was the two of you aiming for the title.
On the track, we were rivals, but off the track, we were friends. Of course, we always had to keep in mind that we were teammates, and there shouldn’t be any collisions between us. That’s the kind of relationship we had throughout the season.
What are your long-term plans in the world of GT cars?
Considering that Mičánek Motorsport also competes in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo championship, I can focus on that long-term plan as well. What I mean is that I’m in a team with which I could race there…
