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Salaquarda Clinches ESET Cup Sprint and Endurance titles
Salaquarda Clinches ESET Cup Sprint and Endurance titles
20.08.2023 (Slovakiaring) In a dramatic turn of events at the penultimate round of this year's ESET Cup, Filip Salaquarda secured both the sprint and endurance titles in the GT3 class. The ISR driver could celebrate despite facing challenges during the weekend at the Slovakia Ring.
In a dramatic turn of events at the penultimate round of this year's ESET Cup, Filip Salaquarda secured both the sprint and endurance titles in the GT3 class. The ISR driver could celebrate despite facing challenges during the weekend at the Slovakia Ring. "This season has been trouble-free for us until now. The car, with a few exceptions, performed perfectly," Salaquarda rejoiced after the conclusion of the Slovakian weekend. The Czech driver arrived in Orechová Poton with a promising position. Having secured seven wins out of eight sprint races and never tasting defeat in the endurance races, Salaquarda had a comfortable lead of 31 points over Libor Milota in the sprint classification and an impressive 44-point advantage in endurance. To clinch both titles in Slovakia, he needed to maintain a lead of at least 25 points in both categories by the end of the weekend. However, it quickly became apparent that this would not be an easy feat. The initial setback occurred during the qualifying session for the first sprint race. A combination of heavy traffic and red flags prevented Salaquarda from setting a timed lap on fresh tires. Consequently, he finished third in the GT3 class behind Zdeno Mikuláško and Libor Milota. However, due to Milota later receiving a penalty for overtaking under red flags, the ISR team pilot ultimately started the race in the second position. Salaquarda entered the race with the aim of surpassing Mikuláško and extending his winning streak. However, the ARC Bratislava driver, behind the wheel of a Lamborghini Huracán GT3, quickly increased the lead, and Salaquarda soon realized that settling for second place was the best option. He maintained that position until the race's conclusion. "The set-up we chose was too aggressive, and our rear tires wore out. I pushed hard while trying to catch Mikuláško, which caused the tires to overheat. It was a challenging race, especially in the intense heat," Salaquarda explained about the demanding opening race. Strange Celebrations Following the first sprint race, ISR decided to make adjustments to the Audi R8 LMS to improve its competitiveness for the evening endurance race. Initially, these changes seemed to pay off as Salaquarda maintained the lead after the race's start. However, an unforeseen electrical issue occurred early in the race. "We encountered an electrical problem with our car, and we started to slow down. Unfortunately, we couldn't continue in the race," Salaquarda described the moment that prematurely ended his endurance outing. Despite collecting no points after four consecutive victories, Salaquarda had reason to celebrate at the finish line. How was this possible? The answer is simple. For his main rival, Libor Milota, to maintain hope of winning the title at the season's final event in Brno, he had to win in Slovakia. However, this did not come to fruition. Milota finished second behind Jesse Krohn, allowing Salaquarda to celebrate the title. Furthermore, Salaquarda experienced another unconventional triumph on Sunday due to the Saturday mishap. He couldn't even participate in the second sprint race. Nonetheless, after his second-place finish on Saturday, all Salaquarda needed was for Milota not to win again. And once again, Milota's hopes were dashed. Salaquarda left Slovakia adorned with two championship titles. Following brief celebrations, ISR is now back in full swing, preparing the car for the final event of the season, scheduled for September 8th to 10th at the Masaryk Circuit in Brno. "We haven't discovered the exact issue yet. We've already sent the data to Audi, and the car is disassembled. There are many possibilities," Salaquarda stated.
Filip has won first & second sprint race and endurance race of ESET Cup at autodrom Most
Filip has won first & second sprint race and endurance race of ESET Cup at autodrom Most
06.08.2023 (Most) Salaquarda dominates ESET Cup - GT3 at Autodrom Most - The final race of the ESET GT at Autodrom Most brought no changes in the GT3 category. Filip Salaquarda converted his third weekend start into a third victory. The second ESET GT race boasted a special guest. The President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, took the passenger seat in the pace car and led the entire field to the race start. Jáchym Galáš and Dennis Waszek, both driving Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars, started from the front row. Behind them were Filip Salaquarda and Matěj Pavlíček, while Libor Milota and Jacek Zielonka started from the third row.
The final race of the ESET GT at Autodrom Most brought no changes in the GT3 category. Filip Salaquarda converted his third weekend start into a third victory. The second ESET GT race boasted a special guest. The President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, took the passenger seat in the pace car and led the entire field to the race start. Jáchym Galáš and Dennis Waszek, both driving Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars, started from the front row. Behind them were Filip Salaquarda and Matěj Pavlíček, while Libor Milota and Jacek Zielonka started from the third row. Galáš and Waszek braked side by side into the first corner, and it was Waszek who took the overall lead in the race ahead of Galáš, Salaquarda, Pavlíček, and Milota. In the first lap, Salaquarda moved ahead of Galáš and began to chase the race leader, Waszek. Although it was declared a wet race, the rain subsided, and the track gradually started to dry. Salaquarda overtook Waszek in the following laps and once again settled into the first position, a position he has effectively held since the beginning of the season. Filip Salaquarda once again emerged as the dominant winner in the GT3 category, followed by Libor Milota in second place and Petr Kačírek in third.
Salaquarda dominates endurance and sprints at Red Bull Ring in Austria
Salaquarda dominates endurance and sprints at Red Bull Ring in Austria
21.06.2023 (Redbullring) In an impressive display of skill and speed, Filip Salaquarda emerged as the dominant force during the third round of the ESET Cup held at the renowned Red Bull Ring in Austria. The ISR driver's exceptional performance saw him secure three resounding victories, establishing his authority in both the endurance and sprint categories. With the season now at its midpoint, Salaquarda appears poised to claim championship glory in both standings.
In an impressive display of skill and speed, Filip Salaquarda emerged as the dominant force during the third round of the ESET Cup held at the renowned Red Bull Ring in Austria. The ISR driver's exceptional performance saw him secure three resounding victories, establishing his authority in both the endurance and sprint categories. With the season now at its midpoint, Salaquarda appears poised to claim championship glory in both standings. During Saturday's endurance race, Salaquarda faced an early challenge as Piotr Wira, piloting a Mercedes, capitalized on his car's superior acceleration. Engaged in a fierce duel, Salaquarda and Wira battled for supremacy, with the Czech driver ultimately triumphing as they approached the third turn. Seizing control of the race, Salaquarda demonstrated unwavering composure and skill. Despite encountering slower cars and navigating their presence on the track, he remained undeterred, maintaining an impressive pace en route to a well-deserved victory. Salaquarda faced a challenging start to the Sunday sprints, finding himself in a slightly inferior position compared to the endurance race. While he began at the forefront of the GT3 class in both sprints, he had to settle for second place overall each time. Alexander Ober, piloting the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 in GTX class, outperformed Salaquarda in both qualifyings. However, Ober's early advantage quickly dissipated as Salaquarda swiftly overtook him in each race. The first sprint proved particularly arduous for drivers as the track retained damp patches following overnight rain. Despite the treacherous conditions, Salaquarda skillfully maneuvered his way to victory, capitalizing on a decisive moment at the start. "Then I just tried not to make a mistake and get the car to the finish," Salaquarda reflected, encapsulating the tension and strategic precision required to emerge triumphant. In the second sprint, conducted on a dry track, Salaquarda once again showcased his dominant performance. Navigating between two Lamborghinis, he deftly secured the lead after a brief spin in the first corner. From there, Salaquarda masterfully controlled the race, distancing himself from his competitors and further solidifying his claim to victory. As the Red Bull Ring event marked the culmination of the ESET Cup's first half, the ISR stable now enjoys a promising position heading into the remaining races. Salaquarda's exceptional record speaks for itself, having triumphed in five out of six sprint races and remained unbeaten in endurance events. With a 24-point lead over Libor Milota in the GT3 class sprint standings and a significant 32-point advantage over Piotr Wira in the endurance class, Salaquarda is not one to rest on his laurels. Looking ahead, Salaquarda acknowledges the challenges awaiting the GT category during the ESET Cup's upcoming three-month hiatus. The next round, scheduled for the weekend of 5-6, promises a different dynamic, featuring a more technical circuit where the balance of power is expected to shift. Salaquarda predicts a favorable outcome for GT3 cars, highlighting the potential disadvantage for BMW at the Most circuit due to its recent introduction and struggles in slower corners. With unwavering determination, Salaquarda and the ISR stable remain focused on their ultimate goal: clinching the championship titles. "We can never get ahead of ourselves. The second half of the season is still ahead of us," Salaquarda humbly acknowledged. Bolstered by a well-performing car and a dedicated team, Salaquarda aims to maintain his exceptional form, leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit of motorsport glory.
Filip Salaquarda leaves Hungaroring unbeaten
Filip Salaquarda leaves Hungaroring unbeaten
30.04.2023 (Hungaroring) - Filip Salaquarda from the I.S.R. team had a 100% successful weekend at Hungaroring. After Saturday’s victories in the first sprint and the endurance race, he added another win in the second sprint and takes home the maximum number of trophies from Hungary.
Unbeaten in Hungary - Filip Salaquarda competed in three races on the second weekend of the Eset Cup and was always faster than the competition. In the first 25-minute sprint of the Eastern European race series, the Czech finished 1.2 seconds ahead of BMW Junior Neil Verhagen. In the one-hour Endurance race, the Audi privateer in the R8 LMS even built up a one-minute lead over a rival in the Mercedes-AMG over the course of 32 laps. Team ISR Racing remained unbeaten in the second sprint as well: Salaquarda was 3.9 seconds faster than the Ligier LMP3 sports car of his best pursuer.
FILIP SALAQUARDA HAD NO RIVALS AND DOMINATED THE SECOND SPRINT
FILIP SALAQUARDA HAD NO RIVALS AND DOMINATED THE SECOND SPRINT
09.04.2023 (Oschersleben) - Czech driver Filip Salaquarda won the second sprint at the Oschersleben circuit and brought the I.S.R. Racing team their first sprint victory with the Audi R8 LMS GT3. Matěj Pavlíček became the GTC category winner for the first time in his career.
Filip Salaquarda started from pole position alongside Libor Milota with the Mercedes AMG GT3. Behind them were the Lamborghini Super Tropheo cars of Jáchym Galáš and Matěj Pavlíček in the GTC category. From the third row, Gregor Zsigo with BMW, who replaced the first sprint winner Neil Verhagen in the cockpit, and Dennis Waszek with Lamborghini, set off for the second race. After the red lights went out, Salaquarda comfortably held the lead, but there was contact between Milota and Galáš in the first turn. Although it was only a slight contact, both cars went into the spin and fell to the back of the starting grid. Salaquarda thus headed towards victory. Matěj Pavlíček and Dennis Waszek followed him with a gap, both fighting for the GTC category win. The battle for fourth and fifth place was between Piotr Wira and Miro Konopka, who were also competing for second and third place in the GT3 category. Galáš and Milota gradually worked their way forward. However, Milota was involved in another incident in the first turn. This time he tried to overtake Antonín Herbeck, but there was contact between the Mercedes and the Pagani, which left Herbeck sideways in the first turn. Soon after, the safety car had to come out on track. Five minutes before the end, the race resumed, but there were no changes in the positions. On the contrary, Milota received a pitlane penalty for the incident with Herbeck and fell to the back of the starting grid. Salaquarda became the winner of the race and the GT3 category, followed by Piotr Wira, Miro Konopka, Gregor Zsigo, and Libor Milota. Matěj Pavlíček from the Mičánek Motorsport team won the GTC category for the first time. Dennis Waszek finished second, Jáchym Galáš third, and Petr Brecka with Porsche 911 Cup fourth. Zénó Kovács won the GT4 category this time, followed by Bastian Hein, both with BMW M4 GT4.
I.S.R. RACING TEAM SPEND 2 DAYS OF TESTING ON SLOVAKIARING
I.S.R. RACING TEAM SPEND 2 DAYS OF TESTING ON SLOVAKIARING
02.04.2023 (Slovakiaring) - Despite the very windy weather, we completed 2 testing days, which calmed us in preparation for the upcoming race in Germany. We tested the new tires from Michelin, new aero packet, suspension settings and finally we simulated qualifying and racing mode as well. Everything points to a very promising season.
See you soon at races!
