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Petr Čížek had a busy winter break between TCR Eastern Europe seasons. He decided to take his own path and founded his own team 76 Racing, which is now preparing for its debut at Grobnik, where the 2026 season gets underway.

Čížek has been racing in the TCR Eastern Europe championship for many years, but this season will feel different for him. “Our team will be called 76 Racing. The car remains the same, a Cupra VZ, and our long-term ambitions haven’t changed. We want to enjoy good racing, and if we manage to add a trophy here and there, it will be a bonus. Above all, we want to stay out of trouble on the track,” says Čížek, who will be the team’s sole driver, although the door remains open for potential expansion.

“Of course, we have the capacity to run a second car, but we’re not actively looking for another driver. To be honest, we want to focus entirely on ourselves,” he explains.

The opening round of the TCR Eastern Europe season at Grobnik will mark the first step in this new chapter for Čížek and his team.

“It’s an old-school circuit, and I’ve always liked its layout, so I’m glad it has returned to the TCR Eastern Europe calendar. It’s also a good venue to start the season, as there’s a higher chance of nice weather,” Čížek smiles, before adding with a touch of humor when asked whether he feels better prepared than last year:

“I’m not… I’m lazy, and unless someone pushes me to do some sport, I’ll just stay at home. But seriously, I’ve been active all my life, so in a way the preparation happens all year round. I go to the gym, play hockeyball and floorball, work in the garden, and last but not least, spend time with my daughters.”

Čížek has scored a number of podium finishes in TCR Eastern Europe, but a race win has so far eluded him, despite coming close on several occasions. He remains realistic about his chances for 2026.

“It gets harder every year. I’m getting older and more young drivers are coming through karting. I’m a realist. I only started racing ten years ago without any prior experience, so the fact that I reach the podium a few times each season is a small miracle. Every year, every race, I want to snatch that top spot from the younger guys, but I haven’t managed it yet. Maybe this will be the year. I always hope so, but we’ll see the reality perhaps already at Grobnik.”

The highly anticipated debut of 76 Racing at Grobnik is now less than two weeks away and Čížek, together with his team, feels ready for the challenge ahead.

“We’ve learned a lot about the car and this season we should start translating that knowledge onto the track. Whether I’ve improved and by how much, we’ll see in the lap times at each circuit. The team around me has created the best possible conditions, and now it’s up to me to deliver on the asphalt.”

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