Berkay Besler pairs up with Marvin Dienst for Toksport WRT. Besler / Dienst lead the Prototype Cup Germany at the halfway point. The Ligier drivers’ goals are the title and victory in the Junior competition.
Berkay Besler is one of a handful of racing drivers from Turkey. However, that has not prevented the 23-year-old from setting ambitious goals and already achieving some good results – including in the Prototype Cup Germany, in which he and partner Marvin Dienst have won three of the four races so far.
Besler found his way into motorsport at a young age, starting his career in karting at just four and a half years old. However, the lack of competition in Turkey meant the son of former Turkish rally champion Mehmet Besler was often forced to travel abroad in Europe during his time on the karting scene. So it was that young Berkay not only won five Turkish championships, but also a title in Belgium.
When the time came to take the next step in 2017, he did not have the budget required for Formula racing. “We looked for an affordable alternative and ended up in the Renault Clio Cup Italia.” One season later, he and his current team Toksport WRT were taking on the opposition in the Porsche Sports Cup Deutschland, among other series. Besler shone in the Porsche Super Sports Cup, ending the season in second place overall and catching the attention of the Porsche scene in the process. After a spell in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East in 2018/19, in which he won three of the last four races to end the season second in the table, he made the step up to the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland. The talented youngster promptly finished third to claim his first podium at the season-opener in Hockenheim. This was followed by more top-ten results, but also a few problems. “In the second half of the season, in particular, we had a few issues with the car, which had to be replaced after a crash. On the whole, things were not running smoothly anymore.”
After a coronavirus-affected 2020, with limited outings, he looked towards GT4 and joined Turkish team Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport. Beslan still races for this outfit to this day. “It is nice to drive for a team from your own country, especially as they are working really hard to be successful.” At the end of 2021, he teamed up with Toksport WRT and finished third in the Silver Cup in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup powered by AWS in Barcelona. “Without a puncture, it could have been much better,” said Besler, none too happy with the podium in his only GT3 race of the year. He had no choice but to cancel his planned appearance in the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps at short notice after qualifying – a positive coronavirus test forcing him out.
This season, as well as the GT4 European Series, he is also racing in the Prototype Cup Germany. “I find it easier to switch from prototypes to GT4 than the other way round, as I am now very familiar with the GT4 car. From GT4 to prototypes is still a little trickier, but the more I do it the easier it becomes. Furthermore, I like the way the prototypes handle; I think it really suits my driving style.”
Besler also believes that his team Toksport WRT and team-mate Marvin Dienst are also a perfect match for him. “I have known Toksport WRT for a long time and enjoy a lot of support from them. Even if they do not come out and say it explicitly, I can sense that support, which is a great feeling. And Marvin is a damned quick racing driver with a lot of experience. He helps me and offers advice when necessary. I am very happy with this configuration in the Prototype Cup Germany.” And because everything is virtually perfect, Besler has set his sights high: “I want to be champion of the Prototype Cup Germany with Marvin, and to win the Junior competition. Both titles are important to me, and I believe we have a good chance. As we are currently leading the Drivers’ Championship, you could even make us favourites. However, I wouldn’t want to stick my neck out that far. After all, you never know what might happen in the second half of the season. I can promise that we will do our very best to achieve our goals.”
