The winner of last year’s FIM Track Racing Youth Gold Trophy, rising Polish star Maksymilian Pawełczak is continuing his racing journey and has moved up full-time to a 250cc machine so will not defend his title this coming Sunday (23 July) in Gdańsk.
His victory in Pardubice in the Czech Republic last August was a shock to both him and his team as it came in his debut at a major event.
“It was amazing,” he said. “It was my first competition of such a high rank. I really wanted to be on the podium, but the first place exceeded my expectations. I managed not to make any mistakes and beat extremely good rivals.
“I was very happy, especially because the first two runs did not go my way. Before the third Heat we managed to find the right gears and in the next Heats I was chasing the podium. I did not give up and it paid off.”
Unlike many of his rivals, the thirteen-year-old is not following in his family’s footsteps. Instead, his racing journey started relatively late and almost by accident when he was six.
“I am the first rider in my family. It all started with a local pit bike picnic, where I could do a few runs on a motorbike. After that, my dad took me to the Speedway stadium. I then started mini-Speedway school under the supervision of coach Jacek Woźniak who I still work with to this day.”
Winning the FIM Track Racing Youth Gold Trophy has been very motivating for Pawełczak and has spurred him on to pursue his dream to become one of the best in the business.
“It was definitely a great experience that helped me believe in myself. It motivated me to work even harder and train more. I would like to become a professional rider. I dream to be able to compete with the stars of adult Speedway and become a World Champion!”
A big fan of racer Wiktor Przyjemski from his local club in Bydgoszcz, Pawełczak also follows Bartosz Zmarzlik and Dan Bewley and he had the opportunity to meet the British star before his victory at the FIM Speedway Grand Prix of Sweden in Malilla earlier this month.
The 2023 FIM Track Racing Youth Gold Trophy takes place on Sunday in Gdańsk, Poland.
FIM Communications