Support at home track Most is something special, says Adam Kout

Adam Kout has a clear goal for his second year in TCR Eastern Europe – to improve his position in the final driver standings. In 2023, he secured one win and two additional podium finishes, landing him in third place overall. Moreover, his first victory came at the Autodrom Most, which motivates him to repeat that success in front of his home fans this year.

Adam, you’re in your second year racing in TCR Eastern Europe. How would you assess your experience in this series and with the Hyundai Janík Motorsport team so far?
I’m enjoying racing in TCR Eastern Europe with the Hyundai Elantra N TCR and I’m very grateful to be competing thanks to the ESET RaceStar project. Last year was mainly about gaining experience, but we were competitive and managed to achieve some good results. This year, we’ve built on that, and in most races, we’re fighting for top positions.

Did you set any specific goals for this season?
The goal for this year is to improve on last year’s third place. We have the speed, and I hope luck will be on our side too.

Last year, you won your first TCR Eastern Europe race in Most and in wet conditions. How do you remember that victory?
It was great to win at my home race in Most. It was my first race in the wet with a TCR car, and I was overjoyed. Plus, having my family, friends, and colleagues there to support me made it an intense experience.

How important is fan support to you?
I really appreciate the support, it’s an additional motivation that drives me forward. It’s even more special when we’re racing on home tracks.

How do you handle the pressure and expectations that come with motorsport and sports in general?
I don’t let the pressure get to me. Of course, there’s always a bit of nervousness before the start, but it disappears as soon as the engine starts and then I focus solely on the race.

Can you give us an idea of how you prepare for each race?
Physical preparation is basically year-round. I regularly run, hit the gym, cycle, and do ski mountaineering in the winter. Before race weekends, I review onboards and notes from last year’s races. It’s also crucial to switch my focus from work duties to concentrate fully on performance.

What advice would you give to young racers aspiring to get into motorsport?
If it’s their dream, they need to truly believe in it and train diligently. Then they can become really successful racers.