Autoracing Club Bratislava: Difference between revisions

| current series = [[24H Series]]<br>[[ESET V4 Cup]] Series / FIA CEZ<br>[[Asian Le Mans Series]]<br>Carbonia Cup<br>Ultimate Cup Series

[[FIA GT Championship]]<br>[[American Le Mans Series]]<br>[[Le Mans Series]]<br>{{nowrap|[[Blancpain Endurance Series]]}}<br>[[Lamborghini Super Trofeo]]<br>[[International GT Open]]<br>[[TCR Eastern Europe Trophy]]<br>[[FIA World Endurance Championship]]<br>[[Le Mans Virtual Series]]

| current drivers= {{flagicon|SVK}} [[Miro Konôpka]]<br>{{flagicon|SVK}} Maťo Konôpka<br>'''24H Series:'''<br>{{flagicon|SVK}} Zdeno Mikuláško<br>{{flagicon|POLSVK}} AndrzejAdam Lewandowski<br>'''Asian Le Mans Series:'''<br>{{flagicon|CHI}} [[Nico Pino]]<br>{{flagicon|HUN}} [[László Tóth (racing driver)|László Tóth]]Konôpka

| website = {{URL|http://www.arcbratislava.sk|arcbratislava.sk}}

| Image = Miro Konôpka at the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans (cropped).jpg

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| Description = [[Miro Konôpka]] has been driving for the team since its inception, but had also competed individually for other teams, most notably at [[24 Hours of Le Mans]] events (pictured in [[2010 24 Hours of Le Mans|2010]] as part of [[Team Felbermayr-Proton]]).

'''Autoracing Club Bratislava''', also known as '''ARC Bratislava''', is an [[auto racing]] team based in [[Slovakia]]. The team is led by [[Miro Konôpka]], who has been driving for the team since its inception. ARC Bratislava are currently known for competing in the [[Asian Le Mans Series]] and also the [[FIA World Endurance Championship]], where they lasted for two seasons in the LMP2 Pro-Am class, joining the series in [[2021 FIA World Endurance Championship|2021]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/features/wec-reveals-33-car-season-entry-for-2021/|title=WEC Reveals 33-Car Season Entry for 2021|last=Lloyd|first=Daniel|date=21 January 2021|work=sportscar365.com|publisher=John Dagys Media|access-date=7 February 2021}}</ref> The team has competed in various [[FIA]], [[Automobile Club de l'Ouest|ACO]] or [[Stéphane Ratel Organisation|SRO]]-sanctioned championships throughout its existence, using various [[Le Mans Prototype|prototypes]] or [[GT racing|GT]] cars.

ARC Bratislava also compete inon the local scene, most notably in the [[ESET V4 Cup|ESET Cup Series]] (part of the FIA Central European Zone Championship), where Konôpka is a three-time overall champion.<ref name="ESETV4">{{cite web|url=http://www.eset-v4.com/results/?lang=en|title=Results – ESET V4 Cup|publisher=ESET V4 Cup|access-date=18 November 2019}}</ref> TheAs of 2024, the team has two full-time entries in the ESET Cup, with Miro Konôpka using the [[Ligier JS P320]] and a [[Lamborghini Huracán#Huracán GT3 Evo (2019–2022)|Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo]], while Miro's younger son Adam competes exclusively with an older spec of the [[Lamborghini Huracán#Huracán GT3 (2015–2019)|Huracán GT3]]. Adam also competes semi-regularly in another local, mostly amateur series called the Carbonia Cup with the same car.

ARC Bratislava have been active on the [[esports]] scene as well, recentlycompeting joiningin the new [[Le Mans Virtual Series]] in both seasons of this championship between 2021 and 2023.<ref name="LeMansVirtual2021">{{cite web|url=https://traxion.gg/teams-announced-for-2021-2022-le-mans-virtual-series/|title=Teams announced for 2021-2022 Le Mans Virtual Series|first=Justin|last=Melillo|work=Traxion|publisher=[[Motorsport Games]]|date=7 September 2021|access-date=12 September 2021}}</ref>

ARC Bratislava have been one of the mainstay teams of the series since the [[2015–16 Asian Le Mans Series|2015–16 season]]. As of the [[20232023–24 Asian Le Mans Series|20232023–24 season]], the team is part of the [[LMP2]] class.

In early 2016, the ARC bought a used [[Ginetta-Juno P3-15]]. After an unsuccessful registration for the [[2016 European Le Mans Series]], it was then decided that ARC Bratislava would use this car in the [[2016–17 Asian Le Mans Series|2016–17 Asian Le Mans season]] instead as part of the LMP3 class.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/02/09/arc-bratislava-to-campaign-ex-lanan-ginetta-in-asian-le-mans-series.html|title=ARC Bratislava To Campaign ex Lanan Ginetta in Asian Le Mans Series|last=Goodwin|first=Graham|work=Dailysportscar|date=9 February 2016|access-date=21 August 2021}}</ref> The team eventually entered two cars for the 2016–17 season. Konôpka, Darren Burke, Mike Simpson, [[Konstantīns Calko]] and Neale Muston were the five drivers to alternate between the two cars over the season. Car no. 4 enjoyed more success as it secured [[Ginetta]]'s first Asian Le Mans Series podium in Fuji.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ginetta.com/news/ginetta-on-the-podium-in-japan-with-ginetta-lmp3|title=Ginetta On The Podium In Japan With Ginetta LMP3|publisher=Ginetta Cars|date=6 December 2016|access-date=21 August 2021|archive-date=21 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821120751/https://www.ginetta.com/news/ginetta-on-the-podium-in-japan-with-ginetta-lmp3|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the next race at [[Buriram International Circuit|Buriram]], the same car won its class. The car finished second overall in the LMP3 Teams Championship with these two podiums and 63 points. Car no. 7 finished fifth with 46 points and one second place from Buriram, where ARC Bratislava scored their first 1-2 finish.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asianlemansseries.com/results/20162017/files/20162017-teams-classification.pdf|title=ASIAN LE MANS SERIES FINAL TEAM CLASSIFICATION|publisher=Asian Le Mans Series|access-date=21 August 2021}}</ref> ARC Bratislava then made a one-off return to the LMP3 class with their Ginetta at the 2019 4 Hours of [[Sepang International Circuit|Sepang]]. Simpson and Muston finished fifteenth overall and ninth in the class.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asianlemansseries.com/results/20182019/files/round4/Asian%20Le%20Mans%20Series%20-%20Race.pdf|title=4H of Sepang - Asian Le Mans Series 2018-2019|publisher=Asian Le Mans Series|access-date=21 August 2021}}</ref>

For [[2023 Asian Le Mans Series|2023]], the team would finally be able to enter their sole [[Oreca 07]], which was previously used for the World Endurance Championship. With LMP2 Am no longer being a category, Miro Konôpka opted to bring two young professional drivers in [[Nico Pino]] and [[László Tóth (racing driver)|László Tóth]], the latter of which would also be making his endurance racing debut.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://alms.alkamelsystems.com/Results/02_2023/01_Dubai%20Autodrome/00_Event%20Info/Provisional%20Entry%20List.pdf|title=2023 ASIAN LE MANS SERIES PROVISIONAL ENTRY LIST|publisher=Asian Le Mans Series|access-date=10 February 2023|archive-date=10 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210171745/http://alms.alkamelsystems.com/Results/02_2023/01_Dubai%20Autodrome/00_Event%20Info/Provisional%20Entry%20List.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> ARC Bratislava scored 18 points over the season and finished in last place in LMP2, which was ninth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://alms.alkamelsystems.com/Results/02_2023/02_Yas%20Marina/11_Asian%20Le%20Mans%20Series/zz_Championships/2023_ALMS_LMP2_TEAMS_TROPHY_AFTER_ABUDHABI_RACE2.pdf|title=2023 - ASIAN LE MANS SERIES TROPHY - LMP2 TEAMS - Abu Dhabi - After Race 2|publisher=Asian Le Mans Series|access-date=22 November 2023}}</ref> Asian Le Mans Series would resume in December with the [[2023–24 Asian Le Mans Series|2023–24 season]]. The returning [[Mathias Beche]] (who was driving for the team during the [[2022 FIA World Endurance Championship]]) and [[Jonas Ried]] featured as Konôpka's new teammates.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asianlemansseries.com/pdf/race-line-ups/Provisional%20Entry%20List_With%20Drivers_22%20November.pdf|title=2023-2024 ASIAN LE MANS SERIES PROVISIONAL ENTRY LIST - 4H OF SEPANG|publisher=Asian Le Mans Series|access-date=22 November 2023}}</ref> The team finished eleventh out of thirteen teams in the championship, scoring points in four rounds out of five.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://alms.alkamelsystems.com/Results/03_2023-2024/03_Yas%20Marina/16_Asian%20Le%20Mans%20Series/zz_Championships/2023-2024_ALMS_LMP2_TEAMS_TROPHY_AFTER_ABU_DHABI_RACE.pdf|title=2023-2024 - ASIAN LE MANS SERIES TROPHY - LMP2 TEAMS - Abu Dhabi - After Race 2|publisher=Asian Le Mans Series|access-date=12 February 2024}}</ref>

ARC Bratislava first appeared on a provisional entry for the [[2017 24 Hours of Le Mans]] in February 2017 and the team was listed with an [[Oreca 07]].<ref>{{cite tweet |user=24hoursoflemans |number=827192599832358912 |date=2 February 2017 |title=Here it is, the very long-awaited entry list for the @24hoursoflemans ! }}</ref> Konôpka however then claimed that ARC were planning to use the [[Ligier JS P217]] instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/lemans/lemans24/arc-bratislava-confirms-ligier-js-p217-for-24h-le-mans/|title=ARC Bratislava Confirms Ligier JS P217 for 24H Le Mans|last=Dagys|first=John|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media, LLC|date=7 February 2017|access-date=20 August 2021}}</ref> Calko and Rik Breukers were later announced as Konôpka's teammates.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/breukers-to-join-calko-konopka-in-arc-ligier-at-24h-le-mans/|title=Breukers to Join Calko, Konopka in ARC Ligier at 24H Le Mans|last=Kilshaw|first=Jake|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media, LLC|date=16 March 2017|access-date=20 August 2021}}</ref> ARC Bratislava finished 45th overall in their debut after completing 314 laps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/Results/07_2017/03_LE%20MANS/171_FIA%20WEC/201706171500_Race/24_Hour%2024/05_Classification_Race_Hour%2024.PDF|title=FIA WEC 85º Edition des 24 Heures du Mans Race - Final Classification|publisher=FIA WEC|access-date=20 August 2021}}</ref> This was enough for 19th place in the LMP2 class.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/Results/07_2017/03_LE%20MANS/171_FIA%20WEC/201706171500_Race/24_Hour%2024/05_ClassificationByClass_Race.PDF|title=FIA WEC 85º Edition des 24 Heures du Mans Race - Final Classification by Class|publisher=FIA WEC|access-date=20 August 2021}}</ref> The team then secured an automatic entry for the [[2019 24 Hours of Le Mans|2019 edition]] of the race by winning the LMP2 Am trophy in the [[2018–19 Asian Le Mans Series]]. For ARC's second Le Mans attempt, Konôpka surrounded himself with two Le Mans rookies in Henning Enqvist and [[Konstantin Tereshchenko]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lemans.org/en/news/24-hours-of-le-mans-arc-bratislava-lmp2/51711|title=24 Hours of Le Mans - ARC Bratislava (LMP2)|work=lemans.org|date=2 June 2019|access-date=19 November 2019|archive-date=27 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827104505/https://www.lemans.org/en/news/24-hours-of-le-mans-arc-bratislava-lmp2/51711|url-status=dead}}</ref> After multiple accidents, the team retired from the race after completing 160 laps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/Results/08_2018-2019/08_LE%20MANS/276_FIA%20WEC/201906151500_Race/Hour%2024/05_Classification_Race_Hour%2024-editado.pdf|title=FIA WEC 87º Edition des 24 Heures du Mans Race - Final Classification|publisher=FIA WEC|access-date=20 August 2021|archive-date=18 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818145626/http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/Results/08_2018-2019/08_LE%20MANS/276_FIA%20WEC/201906151500_Race/Hour%2024/05_Classification_Race_Hour%2024-editado.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Konôpka, a bronze-rated driver, secured a full-time entry for his team in WEC after a new LMP2 Pro-Am subclass was created, which mandates a bronze-rated driver in the teams' lineups and thus creating more opportunity for such drivers and teams in the series by giving them a separate championship in addition to being included in overall LMP2 standings. Despite its general uncompetitiveness, ARC Bratislava started the season with the [[Ligier JS P217]] as the only team on the grid. [[Oliver Webb]] was signed to the team as its main driver, having experience in the series from [[Le Mans Prototype|LMP1]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/webb-arc-bratislava-ligier-lmp2/6237779/|title=Webb returns to WEC with ARC Bratislava LMP2 team|last=Thukral|first=Rachit|work=[[Motorsport.com]]|publisher=[[Motorsport Network]]|date=13 April 2021|access-date=20 August 2021}}</ref> Webb could not attend the [[2021 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps|season opener]] in Spa however, which prompted Konôpka to use Darren Burke instead. The final seat was given to another British driver in Tom Jackson.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fiawec.com/en/news/arc-bratislava-announces-2021-driver-line-up/7015|title=ARC Bratislava announces 2021 driver line-up|publisher=FIA WEC|date=13 April 2021|access-date=20 August 2021}}</ref> The team did not manage to start in its debut race due to an oil leak.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/spa-post-race-notebook-13/|title=Spa Post-Race Notebook|last=Lloyd|first=Daniel|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media, LLC|date=2 May 2021|access-date=20 August 2021}}</ref> Webb then made his debut for the team in the [[2021 8 Hours of Portimão|8 Hours of Portimão]]. The team managed to finish the race this time, however it was not without issues. A spin for Konôpka caused a safety car period at the start of the sixth hour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/no-8-toyota-wins-8h-portimao-after-late-positional-switch/|title=No. 8 Toyota Wins at Portimao after Late Switches with No. 7|last=Lloyd|first=Daniel|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media, LLC|date=13 June 2021|access-date=20 August 2021}}</ref> The car was then recovered and the team went on to finish 29th overall as the second to last car to be classified in the race and also the last LMP2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/Results/10_2021/02_AUTODROMO%20DO%20ALGARVE/369_FIA%20WEC/202106131100_Race/Hour%208/03_Classification_Race_Hour%208.PDF|title=FIA WEC 8 Hours of Portimao Race - Final Classification|publisher=FIA WEC|access-date=20 August 2021}}</ref>

For the final two races in [[Bahrain International Circuit|Bahrain]], the team made further changes to its line-up. The third seat, which was occupied by Maťo Konôpka in the two previous races, was now given to [[Kush Maini]] for the [[2021 6 Hours of Bahrain|six-hour race]] and [[Nelson Panciatici]] for the [[2021 8 Hours of Bahrain|eight-hour race]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2021/10/15/entry-list-changes-for-6-hours-of-bahrain.html|title=Entry List Changes For 6 Hours of Bahrain|last=Goodwin|first=Graham|work=Dailysportscar|date=15 October 2021|access-date=15 October 2021}}</ref> The six-hour race saw ARC Bratislava finish fourth in Pro-Am, despite having technical issues due to which the only finished 21st overall.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/Results/10_2021/05_BAHRAIN%20INTERNATIONAL%20CIRCUIT%206%20HOURS/396_FIA%20WEC/202110301100_Race/Hour%206/03_Classification_Race_Hour%206.PDF|title=FIA WEC Bapco 6 Hours of Bahrain Race - Final Classification|publisher=FIA WEC|access-date=8 November 2021}}</ref> In a last-minute unscheduled change, [[Olli Caldwell]] replaced Webb for the final race of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2021/11/03/olli-caldwell-added-to-arc-bratislava-roster-for-wec-finale.html|title=Olli Caldwell Added To ARC Bratislava Roster For WEC Finale|last=Goodwin|first=Graham|work=Dailysportscar|date=3 November 2021|access-date=3 November 2021}}</ref> The new squad could not match the class result from the previous race, finishing fifth in Pro-Am and eleventh in the complete LMP2 class this time around.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/Results/10_2021/06_BAHRAIN%20INTERNATIONAL%20CIRCUIT%208%20HOURS/398_FIA%20WEC/202111061400_Race/Hour%208/03_Classification_Race_Hour%208.PDF|title=FIA WEC Bapco 8 Hours of Bahrain Race - Final Classification|publisher=FIA WEC|access-date=8 November 2021}}</ref> ARC Bratislava scored the least amount offewest total points in the LMP2 field.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/Results/10_2021/06_BAHRAIN%20INTERNATIONAL%20CIRCUIT%208%20HOURS/398_FIA%20WEC/Final%20Championships/2021_FIA_Endurance_Trophy_LMP2_Teams_After_8hBahrain.pdf|title=2021 FIA Endurance Trophy for LMP2 Teams - Round 6 Bahrain - After Race|publisher=FIA WEC|access-date=8 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/Results/10_2021/06_BAHRAIN%20INTERNATIONAL%20CIRCUIT%208%20HOURS/398_FIA%20WEC/Final%20Championships/2021_FIA_Endurance_Trophy_LMP2_ProAm_Teams_After_8hBahrain.pdf|title=2021 FIA Endurance Trophy for LMP2 Pro/Am Teams - Round 6 Bahrain - After Race|publisher=FIA WEC|access-date=8 November 2021}}</ref> Miro Konôpka was also the only driver in the team to have contested all six races. Konôpka has expressed interest to continue in the series for the [[2022 FIA World Endurance Championship|2022 season]].<ref name="ARC2022"/>

| Image = 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans (52175928935).png

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| Description = ARC Bratislava's [[Oreca 07]] sporting an updated livery at the [[2022 24 Hours of Le Mans]], where they were leading LMP2 Pro-Am before a radiator failure.

Ahead of the [[2022 8 Hours of Bahrain|8 Hours of Bahrain]], Miro Konôpka stated that ARC Bratislava would not return to the series next year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/bahrain-thursday-notebook-9/|title=Bahrain Thursday Notebook|last=Dagys|first=John|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media, LLC|date=10 November 2022|access-date=16 November 2022}}</ref> Miro would be joined by Beche and [[Richard Bradley (racing driver)|Richard Bradley]] for the team's final appearance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/jeannette-to-make-wec-return-at-bahrain/|title=Jeannette to Make WEC Return at Bahrain|last=Dagys|first=John|work=Sportscar365|publisher=John Dagys Media, LLC|date=27 October 2022|access-date=16 November 2022}}</ref> The team could only finish 22th22nd overall behind the [[Group GT2|GTE Pro]] field due to extensive damage repairs. This meant thirteenth place in LMP2 and fourth place in Pro-Am.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/Results/11_2022/06_BAHRAIN%20INTERNATIONAL%20CIRCUIT/455_FIA%20WEC/202211121400_Race/Hour%208/03_Classification_Race_Hour%208.PDF|title=FIA WEC Bapco 8 Hours of Bahrain Race - Final Classification|publisher=FIA WEC|access-date=16 November 2022}}</ref> ARC Bratislava scored 78 points in Pro-Am over the season (and none in LMP2 overall), finishing last in both categories.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/Results/11_2022/06_BAHRAIN%20INTERNATIONAL%20CIRCUIT/455_FIA%20WEC/Final%20Championships/2022_FIA_Endurance_Trophy_LMP2_ProAm_Teams_After_BAHRAIN.pdf|title=2022 FIA Endurance Trophy for LMP2 Pro/Am Teams - Round 6 Bahrain - After Race|publisher=FIA WEC|access-date=16 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/Results/11_2022/06_BAHRAIN%20INTERNATIONAL%20CIRCUIT/455_FIA%20WEC/Final%20Championships/2022_FIA_Endurance_Trophy_LMP2_Teams_After_BAHRAIN.pdf|title=2022 FIA Endurance Trophy for LMP2 Teams - Round 6 Bahrain - After Race|publisher=FIA WEC|access-date=16 November 2022}}</ref>

| 15th6th

| 21st6th

| valign="top"|

! colspan=2| Current series

| [[ESET Cup Series <small>(formerly ESET V4 Cup]])</small><br>FIA CEZ <small>(FIA Central European Zone Championship)</small>

| 2013–<br>1998–

| 2021–2024–

! colspan=2| Former series

| valign="top"|

| [[2021 Dubai 24 Hour|Dubai 24 Hour]], [[2021 Asian Le Mans Series|Asian Le Mans Series]], [[2021 TCR Eastern Europe Trophy|TCR Eastern Europe Trophy]], [[2021 ESET V4 Cup|ESET V4 Cup Series]], [[2021 FIA World Endurance Championship|FIA World Endurance Championship]], [[2021–22 Le Mans Virtual Series|Le Mans Virtual Series]]

| [[2022 24H GT Series|24H Series]], [[2022 Asian Le Mans Series|Asian Le Mans Series]], [[2022 FIA World Endurance Championship|FIA World Endurance Championship]], ESET V4 Cup Series, [[2022 Prototype Cup Germany|Prototype Cup Germany]], [[2022–23 Le Mans Virtual Series|Le Mans Virtual Series]]

| [[20232022–23 24HMiddle GTEast SeriesTrophy|24H Series]], [[2023 Asian Le Mans Series|Asian Le Mans Series]], ESET Cup Series

[[Category:BlancpainAuto Endurance Seriesracing teams established in 1997]]