For Erik Zwart, the BOSS GP will always be amazing
Regrets
Erik’s life then went in a completely other direction. “I had to take a step forward if I wanted to have some sort of career in the car racing industry. I drove three test-weekends with Van Amersfoort Racing’s Formula 3-team. The other candidate for the position was the 16-year-old Laurens Vanthoor. At every circuit, we proved to be equally fast early on, but Laurens always turned out to be 0,2 seconds faster in the end. You have to be realistic when someone without any noteworthy experience and at such a young age is faster. I approached my father and told him that it would be a waste of money to continue, so I quit with immediate effect. I still regret that decision, because Laurens proved to be an extraordinary talent. I would probably have been able to do quite well in the Formula 3.”
Thai-boxing
That was the right moment for Erik to fulfil another personal dream, travelling around the world. “I wanted something else for a year and eventually ended up in some training camp for Thai-boxers. In my first professional fight, my opponent went down as if he got hit by a truck and I thought that I had ended his life. It turned out that I had only broken his jaw, but it was enough of a scare for me to quit right away.”
Erik returned to Europe and because the car racing industry was still an interesting option, he started working at the Spanish Guadix circuit. “My dad has always insisted that I should be able to take care of myself ever since I was a little kid, so he didn’t want me to work for him. That’s why I worked in Aberdeen as a helicopter pilot and started working at another track than my dad’s. Formula 3 and Superbike teams do a lot of testing at Guadix in the winter. In hindsight, it proved to be better to work with someone who holds your complete faith though and who is directly involved with matters. Therefore, I opted to move to the Ascari Race Resort. I have now ended up working for my dad after all. As a track-manager, I’m responsible for safety, track inspection and all the general stuff.”
Radical and BOSS
After a three-year spell on the sidelines, Erik stepped behind the steering wheel of a racing car again this season. ”I raced the Dutch Radical Championship courtesy of a lot help from Henk Thuis and the support of the Radical-factory. The Radical is a fantastic car. It’s incredibly fast and has a sublime road handling. A Radical drives a bit like a Formula-car and that’s perhaps the reason why I’m pretty good in it.”
Erik finished the championship in third position and is hopeful of featuring again next term. “I have received an offer to drive in the European series in a Radical with a V8-engine. We have yet to discuss the financial conditions though. Additionally, it’s still a dream of mine to take part in the BOSS GP-championship. I really hope that it’s all going to work out.” Erik’s career in the car racing industry could thus have a rather busy sequel.
