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The TCR Eastern Europe team Hyundai Janík Motorsport, which secured both the drivers‘ and teams‘ championships last year, will start another season with a slightly changed lineup. The third driver, joining reigning champion Maťo Homola and last year’s third-place finisher Adam Kout, will be Czech debutant Jiří Zbožínek. As in the previous season, the drivers will compete in Hyundai Elantra N cars.
The team lineup for the upcoming season will be very similar to the last one. Maťo Homola, a steady force in Janík Motorsport, will be entering his fourth year. Having achieved fantastic results and clinching the championship in the last TCR Eastern Europe season, he said, „As the 2023 champion, I cannot aim for less than winning again in the 2024 season. However, we know the competition is awake and we must continue to work hard as it won’t be easy. I believe that together with Hyundai Janík Motorsport, we have everything it takes to make this season very successful again.“
Adam Kout will be entering his second season with the Hyundai Elantra N, after his debut last season in the TCR Eastern Europe series. Utilizing his experience from formula and karting series, he performed well in 2023, claiming victory in the home race at Most and finishing third in the final standings. „I believe that this year, the competition will increase and the championship’s starting field will expand, making for a season of thrilling races and battles on the circuits. And, of course, my goal for this year is to improve on last year’s third place in the overall drivers‘ standings and to help defend our position as the top team.“
The team welcomes a newcomer, Jiří Zbožínek, a 20-year-old driver who competed in the Clio Cup series last season. „I’m very much looking forward to my first season in the TCR Eastern Europe series, expecting strong competition. I also expect that I will do well in the top team of Janík Motorsport.“
Václav Janík, the team owner and driver, expressed his support, „This will be our third year competing in TCR Eastern Europe, and it will be very difficult to defend our titles from 2023, as everything came together well for us last year. The competition, however, is tough and large, but we will try our best. We are glad that Maťo and Adam are staying with us, and of course, newcomer Jiří will compete as a junior. He will mainly be learning with the Hyundai Elantra N and gaining experience.“
The TCR Eastern Europe series this year kicks off at the end of April on the new Balaton Park circuit in Hungary. The drivers will have the chance to earn points across six race weekends, and the Hyundai Janík Motorsport team’s goal is undoubtedly to defend their top team status.
