The new KTM X-BOW GTX and its "big brother", the KTM X-BOW GT2, are about to be officially launched, and the intensive test and development program for the new lightweight super sports cars from KTM has entered its final phase. After a sensational performance in the endurance test during the 12-hour race in Monza, there was another test last weekend, executed in an exceptionally strong sprint race, precisely at the GT Open at the Red Bull Ring. Hans Reiter, head of KTM X-BOW development partner Reiter-Engineering and responsible for the test and development programme, came to Spielberg with realistic expectations: “Thanks to Jesus Pareja and his GT-Open we were allowed to start in the 'G3' prototype class after there were no starters in the cup class unfortunately. Accordingly, it was clear to us that we would at best be classified in the lower midfield. The focus was not on positions either, it was just a test under racing conditions in the highly competitive environment of a sprint race.”
In qualifying, however, the team exceeded their expectations and placed the car in third place on the grid for the first race on Saturday. The race itself then became an absolute sensation: Stefan Rosina and Patrick Niederhauser - the latter, thankfully, after approval from Audi as a replacement for works driver Reinhard Kofler, who was obliged at the Nürburgring - were able to achieve nothing less than overall victory with a good strategy and a top driving performance, ahead of all the GT3 vehicles of the GT Open! “We really didn't expect that,” said Hans Reiter, who, however, received bad news of a post-race disqualification late on Saturday evening: “We can only apologize to KTM, the GT Open and to all partners for this typo, which happened when the technical documentation was created. In the documents, the definition of the rear brake discs was wrong. However, it must be clearly stated that this had no impact on performance or the BoP. Accordingly, we have appealed and assume that the decision will be made in favour of the driver, whose great performance should not and must not be diminished.”
For the second race on Sunday, the series organizers made a change to the BoP (plus 50 kg, minus 20 hp) for the KTM X-BOW GTX Concept, and the mandatory pit stop had to be extended by 15 seconds according to regulations after the victory on Saturday. “As a result, we didn't have a realistic chance for another top spot result. In the end, however, we were very satisfied with ninth place. In any case, we were able to demonstrate the potential of the car more than clearly and we now know that we are absolutely competitive in a sprint race.” The new KTM X-BOW GTX and KTM X-BOW GT2 models will be presented in the course of October and will be eligible for various sprint and endurance racing series around the world from 2021.