09/05/2024
Interview with Yuriy Protasov
- Yuriy, after rally cars, were there any difficulties with the transition from all-wheel drive to such a powerful Porsche with rear-wheel drive, which is, in fact, a big contrast?
Protasov:
For me it is not a question of the car being rear-wheel drive, but rather a transition to a Porsche car, which has its own particularities such as, for example, its engine. It is located behind the rear axle and the front of the vehicle is completely empty; To do this, to be able to drive it normally and obey the steering wheel, it is necessary to load the front axle. To do this, you need to develop your own specific driving skills of this car. And this applies more specifically to Porsche, and not to rear-wheel drive cars. This is, in fact, what I faced and I can't say that I have overcome it all, this is a new challenge and I am working on it, improving it, to continue. I think I still have room for improvement.
- And what conclusions were drawn after the first round? What do you need to work on?
Protasov:
The main thing is this specificity of the car, the fact that its front axle is completely unloaded, and the rear axle is overloaded, and you need to work with this - both with the balance of the car, and with the stabilizer stiffness settings, and in general and in the weight distribution of the car - its height, a lot still something to work on. I'm still far from perfect.
- Since you coordinated the first Porsche Sprint Challenge SE series in the Hadeca team, working with A. Dobik and already knowing the specifics of the championship, what are its differences from the current Iberica series?
Protasov:
- The organizers of the previous championship are the organizers of the Benelux series, and this level is quite high - both for pilots, and organizations, and the entire process as a whole, so it is difficult to compare these 2 championships. There were a lot more cars there, and only Porsches, so the organization there was a little better and clearer. Having driven through the current championship, it will be possible to give an adequate assessment.
- Are the rules different?
Protasov:
Its own regulations, let's put it this way. In this championship they are not exactly the same as in that one, but, in fact, this is the case in all championships. We thought that the Porsche Challenge always had the same requirements, but when we came to the pilot's briefing at the first stage, it turned out that each organizer has its own rules.
- What are your plans for this season?
Protasov:
To drive from start to finish, to do the maximum that we can.
- And win?
Protasov:
If we manage to win, it will be good. We will work on it. As the first steps showed, everything is possible!
