“We are still waiting for the biggest success of this season!”
Since becoming a Hyundai Motorsport customer at the start of the 2019 season, Slovenian driver Rok Turk has enjoyed almost unrivalled success in his home country. He dominated the domestic championship to win four consecutive titles with the i20 R5 and i20 N Rally, only missing out last year to another Hyundai Motorsport customer team. However, with co-driver Blanka Kacin, Turk has bounced back superbly this season – winning all three rounds of the Slovenian Championship held so far, as well as the Deltra Rally in neighbouring Croatia. This weekend (August 23-24) Turk and Kacin will aim to continue their winning record at the fourth event of the national series, Rally Dolina zelenega zlata.
You are a multiple national champion in Slovenia with the i20 R5 and i20 N Rally2. How do explain your success?
Above all, success lies in the dedication and support of the entire team and partners. Without all this and a good vehicle like we’ve had from the Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing department, all these achievements would be more difficult to achieve. Of course, from the very beginning Blanka and I are 100% focused on giving our maximum to racing.
After finishing second in the championship last year, how did this change your approach for this season?
We did not change our sporting approach, because last year, regardless of the situation, we won all the races we finished. The technical approach has changed, with an even greater emphasis on the inspection of components on the vehicle and the actual preparation of the vehicle for races.
How do you think the strengths of the Hyundai cars have helped you be successful on rallies?
Just like people, vehicles also have a character, and Hyundai Motorsport-built R5 and Rally2 cars have one that suits us very well and that is why we can achieve good results in this combination.
What has been your highlight of the season so far?
We are still waiting for the biggest success of this season! Of course, we have to be proud of all the victories in the races so far. In any case, the highlight of this season will be the biggest event in the championship, Rally Nova Gorica (September 27-29). Excellent racers from abroad also take part in this rally every year and the desire for a good result is very high.
And what has been your biggest challenge this year?
The biggest challenge was definitely changing the team before the season [to Slovenian team Servis Podlesnik Rally Sport]. It took a lot of work, learning, adaptation, testing to start the season as prepared and motivated as possible. The victory in all races for the national championship so far show that we are working in the right direction, and we can all be proud of the work we have put into the project so far.
There are still four rounds left in the season, what are your goals for the remaining events, and for the future beyond.
For the rest of the season, the approach will not change. we want to do our best in every race and reach the top places. Of course, we are slowly looking ahead with plans for the next season, which should remain on the sidelines a bit.
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