Polish Time-Attack Star Szymon Bryk on Pushing Limits with X Shift Gearboxes

You’ve had an amazing run in the WWTECH SuperOES this year, consistently finishing at the top — what has driven your motivation and focus going into the 2025 season?

For this season, our main goal was to win the SuperOES Kielce at Tor Kielce — the only event in Poland where amateur drivers compete directly against professionals. The unique level of competition there, combined with the opportunity to prove myself among the best, has been a huge motivating factor.

I wanted to show not only consistency but also that with the right preparation, focus, and determination, an amateur driver in a relatively young motorsport career can challenge experienced competitors. That challenge — pushing myself against faster and more seasoned drivers — gave me the drive to keep improving, both in terms of my own skills and the development of the car.

The SuperOES is a perfect mix of pressure and excitement, and knowing that every small mistake can cost you positions makes the whole experience even more thrilling. That environment is what sharpened my focus and kept me motivated throughout the season.

Your GR Yaris is fitted with an X Shift sequential gearbox — can you describe the first time you drove it?

The first time I got into the Yaris with the X Shift gearbox, I was amazed by how precise and direct the transmission felt. Every shift was sharp, mechanical, and confident - it gave me the sense that the car was instantly reacting to my input. But what really stood out was the pure fun of driving with a sequential gearbox. It transforms the whole experience, making the car feel like a true race machine. Suddenly, every acceleration and every corner exit became more engaging and more focused. It wasn’t just about going faster - it was about feeling completely connected to the car in a way that a standard gearbox simply can’t deliver.

Poland has a passionate motorsport scene. From your experience, how has the local time-attack and sprint racing environment evolved in recent years?

I feel that in Poland, amateur racing series such as time-attack and sprint events have been steadily growing in popularity in recent years. It’s a noticeable contrast compared to traditional rallying, which seems to be losing some of its audience and momentum. The accessibility of these amateur series, the lower entry barrier, and the excitement of direct competition make them very attractive both for new drivers and for fans who want to be close to the action.

From a driver’s perspective, how does the X Shift gearbox influence your performance on tight and technical circuits like Kielce?

From my perspective, it’s on tight and technical circuits like Kielce where the X Shift gearbox gives me the biggest advantage. I was able to tailor the gear ratios to my preferences, which makes the car much more responsive in the parts of the track that matter most. Just as important, I no longer have to overthink gear selection before a corner — the shifts are so quick and intuitive that I can focus entirely on braking points, car balance, and getting the best possible exit. It simplifies the driving process while at the same time making it more precise, which is exactly what you need on a demanding track.

Let’s talk about setup — are you hands-on with the car between events, or do you rely more on your technical team?

 Of course, I rely heavily on my team at 4Motors. They are the backbone of everything I do on track — every success I’ve achieved has been possible because of their work and commitment. The reliability of the car is never an accident; it’s the direct result of their preparation and attention to detail. That trust allows me to focus 100% on driving, knowing that the car underneath me is ready for the challenge. The synergy between driver and mechanics is absolutely crucial — without it, there’s no consistency, no confidence, and ultimately no results. 

I compete in a Toyota GR Yaris that has been developed into a true race machine. It runs a Marelli Motorsport ECU and GCU, paired with a Garrett G25 turbocharger. Power is transferred through a 7-speed X Shift sequential gearbox, and the car is set up on Öhlins suspension. Altogether, the package delivers around 500 horsepower and 600 Nm of torque — a combination that makes the car both incredibly fast and highly responsive on technical circuits.

Does the X Shift gearbox give you the confidence to push hard?

Absolutely. As we all know, the stock gearboxes in the GR Yaris aren’t perfect — I personally managed to break around five of them. With the X Shift, not only did it completely transform the character of the car, but it also gave me peace of mind about reliability. That confidence means I can push hard lap after lap without worrying about the drivetrain holding me back. Instead of thinking about whether the gearbox will survive, I can focus entirely on extracting the maximum performance.

Is there a specific race or moment this season that really tested you and the car to the limit?

I think every event I enter puts both me and the car to the test, but one moment that really stands out was the opening round of the SuperOES this season. I was competing against Miko Marczyk, the current ERC leader, and the conditions that day were a mix of wet and snowy surfaces. It was incredibly challenging, but I managed to take the win. What impressed me most was how the sequential gearbox performed — even in those unpredictable conditions, it worked flawlessly and gave me the confidence to push without hesitation.

What’s your impression of the engagement you get from the X Shift box?

Before driving my car with the X Shift gearbox, I had the chance to try other cars equipped with sequential boxes from different manufacturers. What struck me right from the very first shift with the X Shift was the feedback through the lever itself. Even though it can be mounted with a cable, the sensation of engaging gears feels like a true race car. There’s a mechanical precision and engagement in every movement that makes you feel fully connected with the drivetrain — it’s addictive and really elevates the whole driving experience.

Outside of racing, what do you enjoy most about the motorsport community in Poland? Any upcoming events or trends that fans should be excited about?

What I value most is the atmosphere at every event. Even your biggest rival will come over to help if you need it, and that sense of friendship is something really special in Polish motorsport.

In December we also have one of the biggest motorsport events in Poland — the Barbórka Rally, held in the capital. It’s a true celebration of racing at the end of the season, and I hope this year you’ll be able to see me competing on its stages as well.

Finally, for drivers considering switching to a sequential gearbox — what would you say makes X Shift worth the upgrade, especially for competitive or track-focused builds like yours?

For me, switching to a sequential gearbox was the single biggest modification I’ve made to the car. It didn’t just speed up every gear change — in the case of the GR Yaris, the X Shift system also integrates a front differential, which makes the car much more stable and predictable to drive. That combination completely transforms the way the car behaves on track.

In my opinion, anyone who wants to feel like a true rally driver and fight for the very top positions should seriously consider investing in an X Shift. It’s not just an upgrade — it’s a step that changes both the character of the car and the confidence of the driver.