A new team, a new rider. The IDM Superbike series is extremely popular. In 2024, Skach Motors Kawasaki Racing will be the second team representing the Green brand in the top class, alongside Emil Weber’s long-standing squad. Following a test with the ZX-10 RR at Mugello, “Spider” Martin Vugrinec has been confirmed as the rider.
The idea of fielding a team in the Superbike class had been on Oliver Skach’s mind for a long time. But the plan had to mature first, as the 38-year-old from Dormagen was deeply preoccupied with the question of which manufacturer to partner with. Ducati was his top choice. BMW was out of the question, since half the field already races on that brand. Now an agreement has been reached with Kawasaki Germany. The contract is for two years. Skach wants to “run a sensible, high-quality motorsport operation.” As a former racer who now runs a motorcycle shop and is still active in the scene, he knows his stuff. The Dark Dog Challenge, the IDM Superbike, and the World Endurance Championship were just a few of his stops along the way.
His decision to sign former Supersport rider Martin Vugrinec initially seemed controversial for the new team. With his aggressive riding style—and due to a few crashes and incidents in the past—the Croatian hasn’t exactly made friends with everyone. But after a test at Mugello, the 24-year-old won over his entire new team. In a day and a half, he completed 35 laps on the track, half of which was wet on the ideal line. Afterward, everyone agreed: “Vugrinec is a good fit.” He, in turn, is grateful for the chance to ride for a team where he is finally relieved of pressure and can focus on riding. Until now, the Bochum-based rider has always competed with his family. As the underdog in this small team, the Yamaha rider nevertheless managed to brilliantly secure the IDM runner-up title in the Supersport class in 2020. Vugrinec is known for his unwavering determination to succeed and his tenacity.
In 2022, he competed in the Spanish Supersport Championship, secured podium finishes, suffered three engine failures, and ultimately finished sixth overall despite all the setbacks. 2023 was supposed to be a Moto2 European Championship season on a Kalex-Honda. “The offer from the team we were negotiating with was very expensive, but affordable, so we accepted,” says Vugrinec. But right after the first race, the partnership ended. Vugrinec’s motivation plummeted. In the IDM, the fun returned. He raced in six events and made it to the podium once. But by summer, he had already made up his mind: “In 2024, I’m moving up to the IDM Superbike class.”