Gil Linster and Thomas Dombrowski, rivals for the OPEN championship, share a ride together in the VW Fun Cup – Both drivers are prepared to resume their on-track battles after the summer break
- Gil Linster and Thomas Dombrowski competed in the 25 Hours Fun Cup at Spa-Francorchamps
- The two are top title contenders in the OPEN division
- Sharing the track together allows them to create new memories as friends
Motorsport is full of storied rivalries and on track duels between drivers, but just as common are the tales of friendship that was shared by the competitors when the engines came to rest. Gil Linster and Thomas Dombrowski have engaged in multiple fierce dogfights as the protagonists of the NASCAR Euro Series OPEN championship, but they shared a common bond and became friends with each other off the track. It was thanks to this bond that they were united to race in the 2026 25 Hours Fun Cup at the fearsome Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.
Driving the #219 VW Fun Cup entered by CG Racing for the grueling endurance event, Linster was able to share the ride with Dombrowski when an unexpected opportunity presented itself.
“How it came about is very simple: I was asked to drive for the team, and then a short while ago a driver dropped out,” explained Linster. “I told them that I could try to help them out and look into finding a driver from my side. Even though Thomas and I battle each other on the racetrack, I still see that he is a very good driver and that’s why I thought I’d really like to ask him. Privately, we get along very well with each other and that’s also important. I asked him, and he was immediately very open to the whole thing. And that’s how the deal actually came together within 24 hours.”
Dombrowski is grateful for the offer by his rival to join forces together: “He is a competitor on track but he is a friend off track,” said the Frenchman. “I’m happy to share the car with Gil and we know each other very well, this is an advantage for the team work that represents a 25 hours race.”
With years of experience driving the pure racing machines with no driving aids, the two OPEN competitors are ready to tackle the challenge that the legendary Spa-Francorchamps presents. The seven kilometer long circuit demands plenty of concentration to master the famous high speed corners and it is not afraid to punish slightest of mistakes. While the two stars are still adapting to both the track and their machinery, they are confident that they will be up to speed when the green flag drops on 4 July.
“We have the first practice sessions behind us,” said the Luxembourger. Yesterday we were the fastest in free practice, out of over 120 cars. That means at the moment that’s relatively good. The driver in the car with us, William Godefroid, drove the fastest time, and I’m still missing around 1.3 seconds to him. Thomas has never driven the car before, so he’s missing a bit more. But now after looking at the data and everything, his pace will come relatively quickly.”
Having qualified ninth overall, they are also confident with their chances of success. The European NASCAR mindset of emphasizing consistency and car control bodes well for a long race that will push their body and mind to the limits: “I think if we drive consistently and don’t cause any accidents, we are very well positioned to finish in the top-10 at least. If the strategy works out, then you can win here too,” added Linster.
Competing in the 25 Hours Fun Cup isn’t just for fun, it also aided Linster and Dombrowski in their preparation for the important second half of the NASCAR Euro Series season. The last round of the regular season at the Czech Republic will drop their worst result before double points came into play for the playoffs at Italy and Belgium. They will be battling as fierce rivals for these three events, but the road to the next round starts from their shared opportunity together.
“For the second half, our goal is to win this season and stay consistent,” said Linster, who is only two points behind overall leader Thomas Toffel in the standings. “I held back a lot in the first half; I lifted my foot very often where I actually usually would have kept it floored. I think more about the points, not about the positions, but now I’m trying to pull that through with the must win mentality. I need to win a few races now so that I can take those extra points with me, so that I don’t go to Zolder again with a narrow lead and have the risk of losing it all from retirement.”
“As a title contender, I’m already fully on it. I was back training in the sun for ten days just now, to get a bit more resistant against the heat. I’m preparing a lot, training more and keeping myself very fit. My entire break consists of training and then also securing a few new sponsors. Of course, when you’re driving right at the front, you can always sell that relatively well, you can offer that relatively well. And that’s why that is my main work currently.”
“The summer break is long so I try to keep the rhythm,” said Dombrowski, who is fourth in the OPEN championship. “I’m now racing in Belgium, I also bought a simulator. I definitely target to win the most amount of races possible, gain more points and take the lead of the championship. I’m feeling very good with the team and we always work together to do better.”
Featured image by NASCAR Euro Series / Bart Dehaese
