X-BOW News

FACTORY DRIVER REINHARD KOFLER TAKES 2nd PLACE!

EXCITING X-BOW BATTLE RACES AT THE RED BULL RING!

KTM GTX CONCEPT EQUALS SPEED OF GT3 VEHICLES!

GRIESEMANN/KOFLER/VOLTE VICTORIOUS IN THE 6H RACE!

Marco Polo Motorsports put on a commanding performance this weekend in the GT4 America triple header race weekend at Sonoma Raceway.

20 drivers signed up for the season’s first races at the Slovakiaring, 18 started on Friday for the free practice. This was a respectable field, given the difficult circumstances. It was already evident in first-race qualifying that the quality of drivers this season is extremely high. The time differences were very close, the lap times, compared to last year, very fast, all of which promised grea

After months of waiting, time has come for the X-BOW BATTLE to resume: The KTM one-make racing series will start at the Slovakiaring this weekend, doing the first of a total of three events of the 2020 season.

It created quite some excitement during the third round of the “Nürburgring Long Distance Series”, when the favorite to win the class, Reinhard Kofler, was “shot down” on the Grand Prix track on the very first lap. KTM works driver Kofler, who shares the car with German driver Georg Griesemann at the Nürburgring, was not amused afterwards – just like his driver colleague.

• The first production lot of 20 vehicles will be built this year and is already sold out
• GT homologation almost completed, the car will set new standards in vehicle safety
• New steering wheel, new operating concept, state-of-the-art camera mirror concept

Despite the lockdown and the difficult circumstances, KTM Sportcar GmbH and development partner Reiter Engineering are able to meet the schedule for the start of the series production of the KTM X-BOW GTX. "We will have the first car on its wheels in August," says Hubert Trunkenpolz, CMO KTM AG. “This is an enormously important milestone for us – and proof of how hard the entire team at KTM and at Reiter Engineering has worked in the past weeks and months. Series production will start as planned in September and the first customer vehicles can be delivered in October”, says Trunkenpolz.

In addition to the extraordinary, exclusive look of the full carbon super sports car, the impressive performance data – around 500 hp in the case of the "basic version" KTM X-BOW GTX meet a dry weight of just 1,000 kilograms – and the outstanding safety concept with a combination of a homologated GT roll cage and homologated monocoque, there is now also a new interior and operating concept that’s looking spectacular already in the first renderings and promises a completely new driving experience.

"We have a completely redesigned steering wheel with an integrated display and operation of all important functions including adjustable traction control and adjustable ABS”, Hans Reiter is explaining details of the driver's view from the cockpit perspective. “The new ventilation concept with optional, electric air conditioning ensures that the driver stays cool even on hot track days or racing days. Instead of conventional exterior mirrors, we are using a state-of-the-art camera mirror system that sets standards in terms of drag and overall view. And finally, we can present the full carbon competition seat, developed together with our partner Recaro, which on the one hand raises the safety standard of the KTM X-BOW GTX to an even higher level, but on the other hand also offers great ergonomics as it can be adjusted to every driver thanks to individual paddings”, says Reiter.

After the first half of the race, the KTM GTX prototype was ahead of seven GT3 vehicles

KTM works driver Reinhard Kofler temporarily in the overall lead at the NLS season start. In the exciting progress of the race, the trio Brodmerkel/Mönch/Still takes first win of year.

Thanks to a special safety concept, the “Nürburgring Long Distance Series” (NLS, formerly VLN) is one of the very first racing series in the world, but certainly the first German racing series, to start operating again.

2020 RACING SEASON FINALLY GETS UNDERWAY!

• The KTM X-BOW GT4 with Kofler and Janits to race once more for Reiter Engineering
• The season primarily made possible by partners RMN Ingolstadt & EnergieDirect
• The goal is to fight to defend the title in what is currently the strongest GT4 League

Last year, the premiere year of the ADAC GT4 Germany, it was the Reiter Engineering “Felbermayr” KTM X-BOW GT4, driven by Mads Siljehaug and Eike Angermayr, which gave Austria and the KTM Sportcar GmbH the title. Now, there will be at least one KTM X-BOW GT4 that will fight to defend the title in what is the world’s strongest GT4 league. As was the case last season with the Felbermayr vehicle, it is again Reiter Engineering who will operate the car. Team boss Hans Reiter is optimistic that once again, the team can deliver a good season. "Last year, we saw that the KTM X-BOW GT4 is a strong competitor for the vehicles of the premium manufacturers, and in the end, we were able to take the title for KTM. I am convinced that we can do it again in 2020, and I already promise that we will do everything we can to ensure Reini and Florian are supported in the best possible way, both technically and organizationally. I also believe that with these two, we have a strong driver combination able to match any existing competition, both qualitatively and quantitatively.”

Two sponsor partners have played a big part this season in the realization of this project.  On the one hand, the German real estate developer RMN Ingolstadt, and on the other, the Austrian energy supplier EnergieDirect, are supporting Reinhard Kofler and Florian Janits, and the team in their ambitious project. To this is added True Racing, under which the team is registered for the ADAC GT4 Germany. KTM factory driver Reinhard Kofler underlines that without these partners, it would not have been possible to compete in the current season. "In my rather long career in motorsports, I've learned it is necessary to have a combination of the right partners in order to be successful. That is also the case for this project, and I very much look forward to a great and challenging season. The past weeks and months were not easy. Now it is high time that we are again racing. We have a good package, and the goal must certainly be that we fight for the title again!” His teammate Florian Janits agrees: "On the one hand, it is a really cool thing for me, as an Austrian, to have an Austrian team colleague, and be racing in an Austrian car. And on the other, I also believe that we have good possibilities to be up among the front runners. Naturally, the competition is very strong. But after the first test drive with the KTM X-BOW GT4, I am very thrilled about the potential of the car. Now it's up to Reini and me to make the best out of it, and above all, to deliver strong races to give something back to those who support us, like EnergieDirect or Storage24, because they make it possible for us to compete. The title should also stay with KTM, and that's what we'll be fighting for this year."

• 25 units already available in 2020, delivery to start in autumn this year
• Both models to be hand-crafted at the state-of-the-art factory in Graz
• SRO confirms participation in “GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup” is now possible
• Prices for the KTM X-BOW GT2 and the basic GTX version also fixed

Following enthusiastic reactions to KTM Sportcar GmbH’s announcement that they, with the KTM X-BOW GT2, wanted to enter the SRO’s new GT2 class as third manufacturer, further details on KTM’s latest lightweight sports car are now available. The racing car, developed together with Reiter Engineering, is being manufactured in the GT2 version, and also a basic KTM X-BOW GTX model for a wide range of GT racing series, (both long-distance and sprint racing). The models are now being introduced onto the market and will be available direct from the KTM Sportcar GmbH or their nominated partners.

Pre-sales are to begin immediately, and the prices are now established. KTM board member Hubert Trunkenpolz: “We took a close look at the competitive environment, and thanks to our experience in designing lightweight vehicles, we were able to make several cost optimizations. This made it possible to come up with an extremely interesting price – 294,000 euros (net) for the KTM X-BOW GT2 and 230,000 euros (net) for the KTM X-BOW GTX. Here, it is important to bear in mind that these vehicles have a power-to-weight ratio that is normally only available in the supercar segment. At the same time, the car sets absolute standards in matters of efficiency, and perhaps most importantly, also safety. It is also sensational news that, given the successful homologation of our car by the SRO, makes it eligible to start in the absolute top league of GT racing, the ‘GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup’. That makes us particularly happy.”

Michael Wölfling, General Manager of KTM Sportcar GmbH adds: “With a vehicle weight of around 1,000 kg and an output of over 500hp (GTX) and 600hp (GT2) respectively, we don’t have to shy away from comparisons. Thanks to the light weight of the car and of the efficient, state-of-the-art Audi 5-cylinder engine, this means minimal abrasive wear. Further to that, our safety concept combines the best of both worlds. On the one hand, we have a homologated GT roll cage, and on the other, also a homologated monocoque. We will also offer the so-called “Advanced Seat’, which is available on request and offers even more comfort. We have also modified the canopy and the roll cage to allow for more headroom.”

The new KTM X-BOW GTX and the KTM X-BOW GT2 have now become very big cars. With 2.850 mm, they have the longest wheelbases in the GT segment. And with a total length of 4.700 mm and a width of 2.040 mm, the external dimensions also do justice to KISKA’s spectacular design and the vehicle’s technological sophistication. Pre-orders are now being accepted, and deliveries of the first 25 vehicles (GTX and GT2) are planned for autumn this year.

• KTM X-BOW GTX lightweight sportscar to debut later this year
• Five-cylinder Audi power unit produces more than 600hp
• KTM’s proven carbon monocoque keeps weight at around 1,000 kg
• KTM intends to become third manufacturer in SRO’s new GT2 racing class

Performance and purism, united in a unique, extreme design, and armed for adventures on the most legendary race tracks in the world. With the new KTM X-BOW GTX, KTM Sportcar GmbH will show just where Austria's only car manufacturer and Europe's largest motorcycle manufacturer is heading. It is the next logical chapter in the exciting story that KTM CEO Stefan Pierer began with the introduction of the KTM X-BOW over 12 years ago. Since then, more than 1,300 cars have been produced in Graz, in one of the most modern low-volume manufacturing facilities, and subsequently sold all over the world. With the KTM X-BOW GTX, the story now reaches new heights with a new benchmark for lightweight racing cars.

KTM board member Hubert Trunkenpolz, responsible for the interests of KTM Sportcar GmbH comments: "We transfer KTM’s essential brand elements – extreme, performance and purity – together with KTM’s core areas of expertise, which include state-of-the-art motorsports technology, extremely lightweight construction and the highest quality components, in a racing car that clearly reflects the signs of the times. In motorsport, it is necessary to focus development on a superior power-to-weight ratio to be even faster with economical, more efficient small volume engines. The knowledge acquired from this process must then also be incorporated into the series development.”

With a basic weight (before BoP) of around 1,000 kg, and peak power of over 600hp produced by the legendary Audi 2.5-liter, five-cylinder engine, the KTM X-BOW GTX, as a GT2 racer, will be a real benchmark in the lightweight racing car segment. This also represents a power-to-weight ratio of less than 2.0 kg per horsepower! “Thanks to the proven cooperation with Audi Sport, we have been able to draw on their latest five-cylinder engine, the 2.5-liter TFSi. The KTM X-BOW GTX also sets standards in matters of safety. We are the first manufacturer to combine a homologated monocoque with a homologated GT cage, and, on request, also with a homologated advanced seat. Following the worldwide success of the KTM X-BOW GT4, and as reigning champion of the ADAC GT4 Germany, we are now taking the next step with our new racing car, and we will soon be competing in a higher class of racing”, says Trunkenpolz.

Alongside the design team from KISKA, Bavarian-based Reiter Engineering GmbH is once again the development partner. General Manager Hans Reiter outlines the anticipated deployment of the future car: “The first 20 cars will be available this year. Subject to the final homologation by the SRO, it then could be entered in all GT2 racing series’, whereby KTM will become, alongside Audi and Porsche, the third manufacturer in this arena to offer such a racing car. Furthermore, the new KTM X-BOW GTX, with a power output of around 500hp, should be eligible to compete in various racing series’ governed by GT regulations. These include the Creventic 24H Series, GT Open, DMV-GTC or the Nürburgring Langstrecken series, depending on homologation. KTM is also planning a one-make Cup series with the car from 2021. I am absolutely convinced that we have exciting times ahead of us and that the KTM X-BOW GTX and the KTM X-BOW GT2 will be enthusiastically received by customers and teams around the world.”

An announcement regarding technical details and prices will soon be made, and a KTM X-BOW GT2 is expected to race for the first time as part of an SRO event in autumn this year.

• MPM veteran Nicolai Elghanayan will join forces with Reiter works driver Mads Siljehaug
• The Muellerized managed team upgrades its KTM X-BOW GT4 to the new EVO version

The opening event of the 2020 Pirelli GT4 America championship kicks off in less than a month, and Marco Polo Motorsports has big plans in store for the upcoming season. The KTM X-BOW team, managed by Muellerized, has just announced the expansion to the SprintX championship of GT4 America, running the two-driver format with MPM veteran Nicolai Elghanayan and Reiter Engineering Works Driver Mads Siljehaug in 2020.

“Marco Polo Motorsports is thrilled to get this season started,” said Team Owner Jeff Elghanayan. “We’re proud to welcome Mads Siljehaug to the program to co-drive with Nicolai in our newly updated 2020 spec KTM XBOW GT4 EVO. With all of our partners returning for the upcoming season, the combination of our supporting sponsors, drivers, cars and crew will bring a competitive package to the series.” The team previously ran in the GT4 America Sprint series, with Nicolai Elghanayan as the sole driver of the No. 71 KTM X-BOW racing car. An unfortunate shoulder injury off track forced Elghanayan and the team to sideline the racing efforts halfway through the 2019 season. In his two partial seasons, the young racer has earned two wins and eight top-five finishes in GT4 America.

“I’m happy we’re able to announce that Mads Siljehaug and I will be teaming up to compete in GT4 America SprintX for 2020,” said Nicolai Elghanayan. “Mads and I drove together at the Zandvoort GT4 European Series race and we really hit it off landing the first podium for the team that year. Mads is a phenomenal driver who won the ADAC GT4 championship last year. I think our similar driving styles and familiarity with the KTM will bring about great success in the new 2020 KTM X-BOW GT4 in hopes of securing a championship.”

Reiter Engineering Works Driver Mads Siljehaug joined the ranks of GT racing in 2016, where he still races today. Last season, Siljehaug raced in the GT4 European series, earning one podium and two pole positions. He also participated in the ADAC GT4 Germany championship, where he clinched the championship title with two victories and four podiums. “This opportunity is a milestone for my carrier,” said Siljehaug. “I am honored to get this chance and trust from Marco Polo Motorsports, and I’m highly motivated to give my best on and off track with the goal of bringing the championship to the team.”

Muellerized will return to support the effort, run by third generation champion racer John Mueller, who’s serving the sixth consecutive season as the chief engineer and race strategist for Marco Polo Motorsports. "With the improvements made to the 2020 KTM X-BOW GT4 EVO by our teammates at Reiter Engineering, we look forward to seeing how this season plays out, but I’m sure we’re having the best possible car”, said Mueller.

•  Sensational final weekend for KTM at the ADAC GT4 Germany on the Sachsenring
• Eike Angermayr & Mads Siljehaug take the drivers’ title for Felbermayr-Reiter
• Customer team RTR-Projects win second race with Jan Krabec & Lenny Marioneck
• Junior duo Marcel Marchewicz/Yves Volte on the podium in their very first race

The title fight in the ADAC GT4 Germany had developed into a nail biter in recent races. Going into the grand finale on the Sachsenring there were three teams in with a chance of picking up the title in the ADAC GT4 Germany: the BMW duo Marius Zug/Gabriele Piana, the Mercedes team Hamza and Jusuf Owega and the Austrian-Norwegian pair Eike Angermayr and Mads Siljehaug with their Felbermayr-Reiter KTM X-BOW GT4.

For the couple racing in the legendary Felbermayr colors, it was clear that the first race on the Sachsenring was all about putting off the final decision until race two on Sunday. With an 18-point deficit, it would have been fatal at this stage to finish behind the leading duo Zug/Piana. And on the racing circuit close to Chemnitz, both KTM and Reiter Engineering were undoubtedly expecting to stay in the running, because the spectacular MotoGP circuit, with its many tight corners and extremely demanding undulations, was one that was going to suit the agile, lightweight KTM X-BOW GT4.

Mads Siljehaug finished eighth in a difficult qualifying as the track dried out, while Marius Zug had to start from 21st place in the penultimate race of the season. After a turbulent start, both Felbermayr-Reiter drivers got right into the fight and delivered a superb finish to take the victory. Meanwhile, True Racing driver Reinhard Kofler made contact with BMW driver Gabriela Piana when he tried to overtake him, with both of them losing a few places.

The other two KTM driver pairs also delivered excellent performances. The youngster duo Marcel Marchewicz, winner of the X-BOW Rookies Challenge, and his German countryman Yves Volte drove to third place in a near-perfect race. They then moved up a step on the podium after the second-placed Porsche was disqualified. The Czech Customer Team RTR-Projects saw their two drivers Jan Krabec and Lenny Marioneck finally finish in fifth and fourth place respectively.

So as hoped, the title was finally decided in the last race of the season. Before Sunday's race, just three points separated Eike Angermayr and Mads Siljehaug from the title win. The KTM GT4 teams already showed their strength in qualifying. Lenny Marioneck picked up pole position for RTR Projects, youngster Yves Volte put his Austrian racer on the grid at second, and Reini Kofler put in the fourth fastest qualification time. Eike Angermayr secured seventh starting position to put him right next to championship rival Gabriele Piana.

Another hectic start phase followed. The first start was canceled, followed by a restart after another lap behind the safety car. There were some collisions, among others between Reini Kofler and Eike Angermayr. While Kofler went into a spin, Angermayr drove on to remain within striking distance of BMW driver Piana right up to the pit stop. Then, just after the scheduled pit stop when the drivers changed and Siljehaug took the wheel of the Felbermayr/Reiter Engineering KTM X-BOW GT4, the Reiter team saw something unbelievable: Championship contender Gabriele Piana had to take his BMW M4 GT4 back to the pits, apparently with a technical defect.

It was a real test of nerves from that moment on, with Mads Siljehaug at the wheel of the KTM X-BOW GT4. He almost got tangled up in a spectacular three-way fight, but the young Norwegian managed to stay out of trouble and went on to finish in seventh place, one position behind True Racing driver Laura Kraihamer – thus securing the first-ever ADAC GT4 Germany title for him, Eike Angermayr, Felbermayr/Reiter Engineering, and the KTM Sportcar GmbH. The day of celebrations was complete with the sensational race victory for Jan Krabec/Lenny Marioneck in the RTR Projects KTM X-BOW.

Quotes from the finale of the ADAC GT4 Germany on the Sachsenring

Hans Reiter: “I believe today we have to be incredibly proud of our drivers, and of every single team member who contributed to us winning this title. We didn’t just win the title against outstanding teams and drivers, but also against two noble English sportscar brands, and the assembled premium German car manufacturers. The fact that the comparatively small vehicle manufacturer from Austria and the Bavarian private racing team have succeeded in taking the title is simply extraordinary.”

Hubert Trunkenpolz, KTM Board Member: “Congratulations to Eike Angermayr and Mads Siljehaug, and to Reiter Engineering for winning the ADAC GT4 championship title. That is a special moment and a fantastic result. It makes us very, very proud and shows what the KTM X-BOW GT4 is capable of. A big thank you and many congratulations naturally to all the other KTM X-BOW GT4 drivers, and to all the employees of KTM Sportcar GmbH, who with their commitment, made this success possible.”

Eike Angermayr: “We did it! It was unbelievable to be part of this team, and this season’s success. Mads was a perfect teammate, and together we were able to take the title for Felbermayr, Reiter Engineering, and KTM.”

Mads Siljehaug: "What a feeling, I'm overjoyed. It was a good consistent year with Eike, we drove some great races, but this weekend was the absolute highlight. My thanks go to Horst Felbermayr, Hans Reiter, KTM and the whole team. This success would not have been possible without their generous support and their hard work. We had a fantastic car for the whole season."

Jan Krabec: “Unbelievable! Lenny and I make a perfect duo, and right from the beginning, it all went well. His performance in today's qualifying was excellent. The 30 minutes of my stint was the longest 30 minutes of my life. That, in the end, it was enough for the victory is the result of RTR Projects continuous hard work. So thank you to the team for the perfect support!"

Lenny Marioneck: "What a weekend! RTR Projects worked perfectly, and Jan drove a very strong second stint to take the win. I’m quite satisfied with my race, especially as I have been out of the car for so long. Congratulations to Mads and Eike, I'm glad they were able to win the title."

Marcel Marchewicz: "I'm very happy with the weekend. Thanks to Reiter Engineering, and to Yves, they all did a super job. Unbelievable that we were able to finish second in our first ADAC GT4 Germany race, it is such a good and hard-fought racing series. Unfortunately, we made some mistakes today and got a drive-through penalty. Without them, we could have done a lot better.

Yves Volte: “After our great qualifying we should have done a lot better in race two, but unfortunately I made a mistake at the beginning. Sorry to the team, and Marcel. But of course, I am still pleased with our second place."