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<\/p>\n\n\u201cOur main focus this year will be racing in the GT2 European Series,\u201d says team boss Tom\u00e1\u0161 Miniberger, outlining RTR\u2019s headline programme for the season. But the team\u2019s approach will look quite different compared to last year. \u201cRather than running a single car, we\u2019re planning to field two or three on a regular basis \u2013 two KTMs and one Mercedes,\u201d he reveals. <\/p>\n\n
The most high-profile name on the driver roster is Ma\u0165o Homola. The 30-year-old Slovak has made his mark mainly in touring cars \u2013 winning back-to-back TCR Eastern Europe titles in the past two seasons. Beyond that, he\u2019s tasted success in major international series like WTCR, TCR Europe, and the ETCC. More recently, he\u2019s begun to gain experience behind the wheel of KTM GT specials. <\/p>\n\n
In 2024, Homola spent most of his time racing the KTM X-Bow GTX. He shared the car with Viktor Mr\u00e1z in the ESET Cup, helping him clinch the endurance championship title in the GTX class. In the final round at Brno, the pair competed with RTR Projects in GT2 machinery. Homola also entered three rounds of the GT2 European Series with the Brno-based team, with impressive results. In six races, he secured five podiums in the Pro-Am category, and even claimed an overall win at Le Castellet alongside Jan Krabec. <\/p>\n\n
This year, Homola won\u2019t only be competing for RTR Projects as a driver \u2013 he\u2019ll also be acting as a coach. \u201cMy job will be twofold: to drive at a high level, and to support the other drivers. I\u2019ll be working to pass on my knowledge and help them move forward in their careers as much as possible,\u201d he explains. <\/p>\n\n
The second X-Bow GT2 will be shared by Tom\u00e1\u0161 Miniberger and Viktor Mr\u00e1z. This Czech-Slovak pairing will be targeting success in the Iron Cup \u2013 a category reserved for crews with a combined age of over 100. <\/p>\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re a good match on track, but above all, we\u2019re mates. We\u2019ve got similar pace. For Viktor, this will be his first full season at this level, while I\u2019m not as sharp as I used to be,\u201d says Miniberger with a smile. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to enjoying the experience \u2013 and hopefully we\u2019ll grab a few podiums along the way.\u201d <\/p>\n\n
Over the winter, the team left nothing to chance. They tested intensively at Paul Ricard in France, Misano in Italy, and also at Spanish circuits in Barcelona and Valencia. <\/p>\n\n
\u201cThese might\u2019ve been our most productive test sessions ever,\u201d Miniberger reflects. \u201cIt felt like proper pre-season training. We chose tracks that we\u2019ll be racing on later this year. We even ended up sharing the circuit with Valentino Rossi \u2013 which added a special buzz. And thanks to Ma\u0165o, we\u2019ve really stepped up our game.\u201d <\/p>\n\n
The drivers also had to adapt to tweaks introduced as part of the Balance of Performance system, aimed at levelling the playing field across different manufacturers. <\/p>\n\n
\u201cThe car\u2019s gained weight and lost a bit of turbo pressure. From my point of view, it feels a bit different \u2013 but not dramatically. It\u2019s still a KTM \u2013 stiff, with good handling characteristics. It\u2019s relatively light \u2013 several hundred kilos less than the competition \u2013 and it\u2019s nimble, responsive in the corners, and solid under braking,\u201d Miniberger explains. ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/motormix.cz\/site\/assets\/files\/6031\/476377340_1198796438922357_7605820400542111543_n.jpg\")
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The KTM X-Bow has historically been one of the most successful cars in the GT2 European Series. RTR Projects know that from experience. In 2023, the team celebrated a title win in the AM category with Jan Krabec. Last year, Martin Koch and Reinhard Kofler were crowned Pro-Am champions in the same car. <\/p>\n\n
RTR Projects won\u2019t be relying solely on KTM machinery this year. A customer-entered Mercedes-AMG GT2 joins the line-up, to be driven by team regular Petr Lisa and newcomer Ond\u0159ej Rokos. The pair already shared a car last year in the ESET Cup \u2013 at that time a KTM X-Bow GTX. <\/p>\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve grown up on the KTMs, which are technically very close to GT3 cars. It\u2019s been a steep learning curve for our engineers and mechanics. So running a customer car is a logical next step,\u201d says Miniberger. He also adds that the team is open to future collaborations with more customers. \u201cThis certainly won\u2019t be our last customer car. We want to be a partner for people looking to race and improve. We\u2019re happy to offer full race and training support.\u201d <\/p>\n\n
Both Lisa and Rokos used the pre-season testing period to familiarise themselves with the new car. \u201cFrom a driving perspective, it\u2019s a completely different story,\u201d says Rokos. \u201cYou follow a different line, the top speed and power delivery are completely new to me. For my development, switching to the Mercedes is definitely a move in the right direction. But we\u2019ve still got a lot of work to do.\u201d <\/p>\n\n
Lisa has similar impressions. \u201cIt\u2019s very different to the KTM \u2013 mainly because of the weight and driving style. I\u2019d say the KTM is lighter and more agile. The Mercedes, on the other hand, is more predictable and playful,\u201d he explains. \u201cWe\u2019ll still be learning the car throughout the season. I think that\u2019s going to be the main theme this year.\u201d ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/motormix.cz\/site\/assets\/files\/6031\/483724108_1205982421537092_4650645252753919834_n.jpg\")
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In addition to the GT2 European Series, RTR Projects will also be appearing in selected rounds of the Central European GT Cup Series \u2013 previously known as the ESET Cup. There\u2019s also a one-off return to a series that\u2019s close to their hearts. <\/p>\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll be doing a 12-hour endurance race in the 24H Series at Le Castellet. It\u2019s the championship where we started out. We\u2019ve got a soft spot for it, and we\u2019ve missed it a bit. Plus, Paul Ricard is a beautiful circuit,\u201d says Miniberger. <\/p>\n\n
Fittingly, it\u2019s also at Paul Ricard where the team will get their 2025 season underway. The GT2 European Series kicks off there on the weekend of 11\u201313 April. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
RTR Projects are kicking off the 2025 season with a host of significant changes, marking a bold new era for the Czech-based racing outfit. The team\u2019s garage has expanded to include a customer Mercedes, seasoned driver Ma\u0165o Homola joins full-time, and all team cars will sport a striking new black-and-red livery. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2416,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[37],"class_list":["post-2418","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-news"],"acf":{"photo_gallery":{"photogallery":[[]]}},"yoast_head":"\n