Hill climb: Reynard K01 for Robin Faustini
AMBITIONED YOUNGSTER Robin Faustini is now putting his money where his mouth is: The 20-year-old from Aargau will no longer be driving an old Formula 3000 in 2018 - he has purchased a Reynard K01, which is ideal for hillclimbing. He will use it to contest the entire Swiss hillclimb championship. Robin Faustini makes no secret of the fact that sooner or later he will have his say about the [...]
Robin Faustini makes no secret of the fact that sooner or later he wants to have his say on the title in the Swiss mountain racing championship. After just one year of apprenticeship with the old Reynard 92D F3000, the 20-year-old from Suhr is now already taking another step in this direction with the purchase of a more modern Reynard K01.
When the opportunity arose to purchase this racing car, which is ideal for hillclimbing, with a Mugen 3.0 V8 engine from the former Formula Nippon in Japan, Faustini jumped at the chance. You can hear the ambition in his words.
Robin Faustini: "On the one hand, I'm concerned about the safety that this newer car offers. On the other hand, I'm looking ahead, and I can't do that with an old Formula 3000."
First the performance, then clarity about origin
Where Robin got the K01, he does not want to make public yet, because he wants to show performance with it first. Some of the best mountain specialists from Europe achieved success with this model, such as Lionel Regal, who died in an accident in St-Ursanne in 2010, Ander Vilarino, Fausto Bormolini or most recently the Frenchman Geoffrey Schatz.
Robin Faustini: "With the 92D or 93D, I wouldn't have gotten much faster without taking risks. With the K01, I know where I can get to based on the data. Just the fact that I now have a sequential gearbox instead of an old H-shift gives me time."
The apparently also auto-technically gifted sanitary plumber has prepared the race car himself in his spare time. He has also found sponsors. His budget now allows him to buy new tires in between, after he went through 2017 with one set. He has also acquired a small semitrailer.
Premieres in Eschdorf and Hemberg
Next week Faustini undertakes a test day on a small, angular circuit in France, which is therefore relevant for the downhill atmosphere of a race car. The first race appearance is on May 5/6 in Eschdorf (LUX), before he uses it to race in Switzerland for the first time in Hemberg (June 9/10).
Robin Faustini: "I'll be competing in all the Swiss hillclimbs, including St-Ursanne-Les Rangiers. I practiced there with the Formula Renault in 2017. This fast track is ideal for a race car like the K01. That's why I'll be preparing especially well for it."
And what is his goal for the season?
Robin Faustini: "In principle, anything is possible with this car. But I'll have to get used to it first, so I'll take my time. I also only have two seasons of hillclimb experience under my belt. That's why I'm hoping for places in the top four and to come close to Marcel Steiner and Eric Berguerand in one or two races."
AutoSprintCH congratulates him on this project and wishes much success in an accident-free season!
