Klaus Angerhofer and Hubert Trunkenpolz clinched their first double podium haul of the season, and their best Fanatec GT2 European Series finish to date, with third and second-place finishes at the Red Bull Ring last month.
The True Racing by Reiter Engineering duo earned their first visit to the rostrum by converting their Am class pole position into a third-place finish for race one in Austria. Even more impressive was their charge from 10th on the grid to earn second in class and fourth overall in race two in the #17 KTM X-BOW.
Currently lying third in the Am title fight, already equalling their 2021 championship ranking, we caught up with the Austrian pairing ahead of round three at Misano next weekend.
You recorded your first podiums of the season and your best GT2 finish to date with second at the Red Bull Ring, how did that feel?
Klaus Angerhofer (KA): “It was exciting to be on the podium at our home race. It was also very positive that so many people we know came to support us. That makes it even better.”
Hubert Trunkenpolz (HT): “It felt great to get a podium at our home race. We had a lot, almost one hundred friends and family members there watching the race, so we had a very good time and celebrated on the podium.”
This is your second year competing in the Am class, what attracts you to the series?
KA: “Basically, it's for gentleman drivers and that's exactly the character you feel. The series is simply fun. Firstly, there are many good gentlemen drivers in the series with whom you can compete, in alongside some professionals, and secondly, there are no young riders who are fighting for championships or have the dream of becoming professional racers, so the racing is much more respectful. But nevertheless, everyone remains ambitious.”
HT: “It’s a good combination of drivers and the race tracks where we are racing are really fantastic ones, like Imola, Spa-Francorchamps, Circuit Paul Ricard and of course the Red Bull Ring is awesome. The environment is great and the organisation is professional. The cars are challenging and fast, but also help amateurs drive better. We are hoping more cars will join the championship, but we are very happy racing in the series.”
You finished third in the Am title fight last year, scoring four podiums in the KTM X-BOW. With two podiums already secured, what do you hope to achieve this season?
KA: “Our goal is to defend third place. In Misano, we will see what we can achieve. And then we might redefine our goals.”
HT: “Clearly, we want to repeat overall third place that we achieved last year, that’s of course the target. As we are already in third place, we want to fight for second place. We will see in the next two races where we really are.”
Misano is up next, you finished third in race one last year. Can you repeat your podium form in Italy?
KA: “We definitely want to be on the podium!”
HT: “We love Misano, it’s a great track. It’s going to be hot, so a lot will also depend on the fitness of the drivers. For sure, we want to fight for the podium in both races. We will give it all we have, as always.”
Angerhofer and Trunkenpolz will continue their Fanatec GT2 European Series campaign at Misano next weekend, 1-2 July.