In freezing January weather, the first race of the year was held on the track in Lonato, Italy.
After first familiarising with the new class and machinery at the 2022 WSK race in November and testing in early January, Max took part in the first race of the year in 2023
As always, Wednesday and Thursday were dedicated to familiarising himself with the track conditions and setting up the necessary equipment after a two-week break. The course was mostly dry, but frosty.
A total of 42 riders from all over the world, including several colleagues from the Czech Republic, entered the OK class, in which Max is riding this year.
Friday was marked by the official timed practice sessions, where Max did not do badly and was 12th in a group of 20 riders. Then it was on to qualifying where Max had to overtake in his fastest lap and ended up with a 33rd overall time.
The equipment prepared by Mark Skřivan with mechanic Honza and dad Luky was excellent
Max got some last instructions and advice from the guys before the start of the first final heat in group A, where he moved one place ahead and got 21 penalty points.
By the second final heat, which Max was really looking forward to, it was after dark. Max started in Group A again based on his timed practice time, specifically from 17th place, and the result was great as he crossed the finish line in 9th place.
Saturday
Max was in Group A and only rode the morning Warm-up on Saturday, where he did well beyond measure and set the third fastest time in the group. Max then had one last heat in Group A where he came from 17th on the grid to finish 12th.
On Sunday, after accumulating penalty points in the heats, Max made it through to the Group B prefinal where he was allocated 12th position at the start.
There was a morning warm-up beforehand, during which Max crashed due to water leaking from the previous kart, but still set an excellent third time.
The mechanics had a lot of work to do with a twisted rear axle and a cracked rim, but fortunately the frame was fine and Max was able to start on the front row.
The start for the prefinal was made and so from the sixth row at the start Max finished the prefinal heat in an excellent ninth place.
And the corner where he crashed in the morning Warm-up was no problem at all.
So there was an opportunity to ride in the WSK Superfinal for the first time…
Max was confident that he would score points and be one of the 36 drivers to advance.
And he was right, it ended up being 22nd place and that meant starting from the 11th row on the grid.
A race that was run over 21 laps Max ended up finishing 21st after some great battles.
Great satisfaction and thanks for the excellent cooperation and preparation go to Marek Skřivan, Honza Kadlec and Macháč Motors because the engines worked like clockwork.
Also a big thank you to our partners, without whom it would not have been possible to participate.
