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The 2015 Hankook RCM Cup field is getting stronger and stronger by the day, and it is not only about the number of entrants, but the quality of the drivers joining it. The bunch of the 2014 frontrunners remain almost intact while serious contenders from other Hungarian one-make series are to set out for a campaign in a 1.5 RCM Swift Racer.

One of them is the 13-year-old Máté Benyó, who was racing in the Swift Cup Europe series last season with formidable success, as he finished second in the Hungarian overall scoring four victories, only to be beaten by Bence Balogh. He could not participate in the international category due to his young age. The teenager from Diósd, who has some notable racers among his ascendants, wants to develop himself further in RCM Cup this season.

It was not a question for him to start racing as young as possible being the son of the three-time Hungarian Cross Country Rally champion and former MNASZ (Hungarian Autosport Federation) president Miklós Benyó. Máté started his career in the mud of cross country racing, being only three years old when his father gave him a quad to play with it. Later he became the co-driver of his father in cross country racing, and started his own career in 2012 first in rallycross and later in autocross. Following notable results there he oriented himself towards the more solid surfaces entering the Hungarian Second Division of circuit racing.

On his way to the asphalt, he became a three-time junior quad champion, finished second in the Hungarian Rallycross Cup, won the TAX/F category in autocross, and also was the best of the Hungarian Second Division Circuit Racing Championship. His most notable result however was achieved in 2014 finishing second in the Swift Cup Europe series.“My previous season was phenomenal. The world of circuit racing was relatively new for me, and I only wanted to learn. In the end I finished second which was a huge surprise even for myself, and I was very happy with it” – Máté Benyó said.

Although the 1.6 liter cars in the Swift Cup Europe are faster, the Hankook RCM Cup means a big step forward for him, as the best Hungarian youngsters are racing in this series. It will be a unique opportunity for him to measure himself with the likes of Gábor Tim, Dániel Nagy and Attila Tassi.

“I followed the series closely in 2014, and I envied the strength of the field. There were fierce but fair battles among the drivers, and I liked it very much. I think RCM Cup is a strong championship and also a good platform for me to develop.”

Being a young and newcomer driver it is difficult to have concrete expectations for 2015, however Máte has his own goals.

“I was not thinking a lot about it, but if I have to say a number, it would be something in the top6. I would be very satisfied with such a result. Naturally my goal is to end up as high as possible” – he concluded.

Benyó will start his preparation for the 2015 season in the middle of March when his RCM Swift Racer will be finished. He plans to have as much testing as possible, because his rivals have on year advantage with the car. Until that he continues his workouts in the gym, and also dreams about his long-term goals: a seat in WTCC or in DTM.

RCMCup - András Lantos