For Erik Zwart, the BOSS GP will always be amazing
“The speed, the grip, the brake-delay, it’s all really incredible. I trained my neck muscles with weights, yet it already started hurting after only five laps,” reveals Erik Zwart with a huge smile on his face. The Dutchman, who lives in Spain nowadays, made his comeback in the BOSS GP at the Ascari Race Resort in his Benetton B197 and thoroughly enjoyed himself.
It had been a few years since Erik Zwart last pushed the pedal to the metal in a Big Open Single Seater. At the Ascari Race Resort, where Erik is track-manager these days, he got the chance to drive around in a Benetton B197 during the Prize Giving 2011. “A lot of drivers have a certain degree of fear for Formula 1-cars. However, they fit my racing style perfectly and I find them quite easy to race in. It’s really amazing that I get the chance to step behind the steering wheel of a Formula 1 car again here at my home-track. The speed, the grip, the G-forces, the brake-delay, it’s all really incredible. I trained my neck muscles with weights, yet it already started hurting after only five laps. I hope to take part in the BOSS GP races again next season,” says Zwart, still enjoying his fast laps with the Benetton.
Late start
The 29-year-old Erik Zwart lived in Scotland until his 25th birthday, but now lives in Ronda, pretty close to the Ascari Race Resort. Being Klaas Zwart’s son and the brother of Paulien, Erik first came into touch with the racing culture at a very young age. However, he did not drive his first metres in a racing car until he turned 20.
“My dad actively started racing at a later age and much of his attention then went toward the karting and racing career of my older sister Paulien. At one point, my dad asked me whether I wanted to drive a few laps and that immediately went well. I then took part in the Radical Cup in England and came in fourth in my first race and even finished third in the race at Spa. After that, I participated in the FIA GT championship for about two-to-three years in an Ascari GT3. A second spot together with Rory Bertram was my best result. I also featured in six BOSS races at that time with the Benetton B197 and I even managed to win one,” reflects Erik Zwart.
