Former racer Oliver Skach got off to a strong start at the Sachsenring with his new team, Skach Motors Kawasaki Racing. However, at the season opener at the Sachsenring, it was Austrian Nico Thöni who took the reins on the ZX-10 RR, stepping in at the last minute for the injured Croatian Martin Vugrinec.
It was clear to Oliver Skach that he wouldn’t miss the IDM season opener with his new team and the new electronics on the bike. Substitute rider Thöni had to jump right in at the deep end. “He did a good job,” Skach summed up, noting: “He’s a calm, level-headed colleague who works professionally.” Thöni finished the first race in eleventh place. He finished the second race in 15th place. Combined, that resulted in six championship points. In addition, the team took another step forward. Work on the chassis and electronics progressed. And aside from the bike, there was some fine-tuning in personnel planning. Everyone has now found their place on the team, played to their strengths, and worked hard late into the night.
Martin Vugrinec had come to the Sachsenring with his father as a guest to spend at least one day with his team. It was a very emotional visit. The Croatian, who lives in Bochum and had suffered a fracture of his left calf and shinbone two weeks before the IDM season opener during a guest appearance in the World Endurance Championship, saw the Kawasaki with the number “8” in its race livery for the first time. During testing, the fairing had still been white. Now it was even decorated with his trademark spider web. Vugrinec would have loved to jump on the bike right away, but that won’t happen for another seven weeks. The 25-year-old is not expected to return to racing until mid-June in Most, Czech Republic.
The next IDM event will take place from May 31 to June 2, 2024, at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. “We’re planning to have a reserve driver with us again in the Magdeburger Börde,” says team boss Oliver Skach.