Last-minute call: Benjamin Mazatis starts at the 24h Dubai
- Benjamin Mazatis will be competing in the 24 Hours of Dubai alongside Reiter Engineering.
- Short-term deployment at the prestigious 24-hour classic in the desert
The race is an absolute highlight for the start of the season and all the big
The names of the sports are represented year after year.
Directly from the winter wonderland of Bruckmühl, Benjamin Mazatis is heading to around 25 degrees Celsius and brilliant sunshine. The 20-year-old will compete with Reiter Engineering from January 10th to 12th in the prestigious 24 Hours of Dubai. He only received the offer to compete in this desert classic last Saturday and didn't hesitate for long. In the KTM XBow GT4, he will be fighting for victory in the SP2 class alongside Adam Galas, Jan Krabec, and Nicolai Elghanayan.
The participation closes a circle for Mazatis. In 2017, he contested his first race in the KTM X-Bow GT4 together with Reiter Engineering and at the same time the first and only 24-hour race of his career. Two successful years in the GT4 European Series Northern Cup and GT4 Central European Cup in the middle of the title fight followed. Now the joint collaboration ends where it began so positively in 2017 - ideally with a similarly strong performance.
In 2017, the Bruckmühl native had travelled to Dubai without any test drives and had gained all his driving experience in the KTM X-Bow GT4 during free practice sessions. The result was impressive: finishing second in his class, he crossed the finish line on his 19th birthday. Only an overnight repair stop had prevented him from fighting for victory. He is also hoping for a birthday present this time, as Mazatis will be turning 21 just two days after the chequered flag falls.
Benjamin Mazatis: „I'm really looking forward to competing in this year's 24h Dubai. The race is an absolute highlight at the start of the season and all the big names in the sport are represented year after year. When I got the call on Saturday evening, I was a bit surprised. But spontaneity is part of the racing driver's life and it didn't take long for me to accept. I would like to thank Reiter Engineering for their trust in me and my driving skills. It means so much to me to return to the place where our story together began so successfully two years ago. Now I can close this great and successful chapter of my career there before setting off on new and interesting challenges in 2019.“
Three questions for Benjamin Mazatis
You've decided on another season in the GT4 Series with Reiter Engineering. What was the deciding factor?
I felt at home in the GT4 Series from the very first lap and celebrated successes in my debut season. Nevertheless, it was important for me to recharge my batteries after this challenging year and make a well-informed decision about the future. I had various lucrative offers to consider – including a cockpit in the GT3 class. In in-depth discussions with Reiter Engineering, we ultimately found that we share the same goals and would like to continue working together. When the rumours about the re-establishment of the GT4 Series Central European Cup were confirmed, the plans to start there together became more concrete.
You've decided on another season in the GT4 Series with Reiter Engineering. What was the deciding factor?
I felt at home in the GT4 Series from the very first lap and celebrated successes in my debut season. Nevertheless, it was important for me to recharge my batteries after this challenging year and make a well-informed decision about the future. I had various lucrative offers to consider – including a cockpit in the GT3 class. In in-depth discussions with Reiter Engineering, we ultimately found that we share the same goals and would like to continue working together. When the rumours about the re-establishment of the GT4 Series Central European Cup were confirmed, the plans to start there together became more concrete.
What goals have you set yourself together with Reiter Engineering for 2018?
I feel very comfortable in the team and have really gotten used to the KTM X-Bow GT4. Accordingly, I wanted to continue with this car, even though numerous prestigious brands will now be entering. The same tracks as in the past season will be raced, with the exception of Most, on which we have already gathered a lot of data compared to the new competition. With this experience advantage and an updated car, we are going into the season stronger. Furthermore, I learned a lot driver-wise in 2017 and celebrated my first successes. My motivation is higher than ever and I see the championship as a realistic goal.
Beyond the GT4 Series, you also competed in various VLN events in 2017. Are similar endurance race entries planned for this season?
I believe every GT driver dreams of competing in some endurance classics. In 2017, I always tried to find the right balance between speed and safety. Endurance races are marathons where it's no use being far ahead of the rest on one lap and ending up in the gravel on the next. I always kept that in mind and handed the cars over to my teammates without any damage every time. Of course, I hope these performances have made an impression. If a good offer comes along, I will naturally consider it and see if it fits with my existing racing plans. However, the current focus is on the title in the GT4 Series.