VACULIK: UP TO SPEED FOR TITLE FIGHT

Slovak star Martin Vaculik believes he has the engines to chase FIM Speedway Grand Prix gold in 2024 as he continues his partnership with Polish tuner Ryszard Kowalski.

Vaculik made history as the first rider from Slovakia to race in and win an SGP round when he topped the 2012 FIM Gorzow Speedway GP podium on his competition debut.

And he wrote more history in 2023 as Slovakia’s first-ever Speedway GP World Championship medallist, bagging bronze ahead of Australia’s Jack Holder.

With four podium appearances last year, including victories in Prague and Cardiff, Vaculik is being tipped among the title contenders for 2024.

He shares an engine tuner with four-time Speedway GP world champion Bartosz Zmarzlik and believes his Kowalski-tuned motors are more than capable of putting him among this year’s frontrunners.

Vaculik told Sportowefakty.pl: “Mr Kowalski and the entire RK Racing Team are really great at preparing engines for me with which I can fight for titles. I feel great support, help and professionalism from them. We cooperate very well. 

“This is a process because the competitor learns these engines, and the tuner learns the competitor. What I like is that everything is very personalised. I appreciate them very much for this. 

“These are hours of conversations and data collection, which, as you can see, bring results. On the track, of course, I have to dot the "Is". At the end of the day, it's all in my hands, whether I open the throttle or not. But I definitely have the engines to be the best in the world.”

Vaculik reached the semis in seven of last year’s 10 rounds and his best-ever Speedway GP series in 2023 underlines his increasing consistency on the sport’s biggest stage.

This is something the Zarnovica-born racer hopes to capitalise on this season. The Gorzow star added: “Looking at my results, which are more stable, I feel better and better. I know that I will do everything to fight for the highest goals in the Grand Prix and the league. 

“Despite all this, however, I am humble because sport teaches this. I want the experience I have acquired to give me good results on the track.”