28 December 2024, Ronalds

The young Czech driver Kristyna Svobodova (JuniorBuggy, Fast & Speed) is learning from her mistakes and looking ahead to the future. Below, we invite you to read Kristynka's story about the 2024 season:

"In the 2024 season, I would rate my performance quite well. I am definitely proud of how I have improved compared to last year. Throughout the winter, I worked on myself, and I believe that really paid off. Many times, I managed to start and drive at the front, but due to my mistakes or technical issues, I couldn't maintain my position. In the first four races, I would say things went great. I was getting better and trying to gather more experience.

In Bauska, I was driving in fourth position in the final, but in the last corner, I hit Nathan Ottink, whose car was broken, because I couldn’t see behind the jump, and I didn’t finish. In Vilkyciai, I finished fifth, and in Matschenberg, I started second in the final and finished fourth. However, in the middle of the season—Nová Paka, St. Georges, and Nyirád—I didn’t achieve the results I was hoping for and failed to finish or make it to the final in any of those races.

Fortunately, the last two races turned out well. In St. Igny, I started the final from second place, but due to a mistake, I ended up seventh. Then, a week later in Maggiora, I again started in the final from second position and managed to finish third. Overall, I would rate this season positively, though I still have much to learn and experience to gain.

On many occasions, I was driving at the front—for example, in Vilkiciai, St. Igny, and Maggiora. In Vilkyciai, I was in the final; in St. Igny, I held third position in the final; and in Maggiora, I was first in the second heat. However, in some corners, I left too much space, allowing others to pass me easily, which cost me dearly because it is very difficult to recover from such mistakes.

I would say my last race in Maggiora was definitely the highlight, as I finally finished on the podium. Many times this season, I was close but never managed to secure a podium finish—until the last race. Additionally, last year I broke my hand on this track, so I had a bit of fear this year, but everything worked out fine, and I am very happy.

This whole season was quite challenging, but I cannot think of one specific moment that stands out. Perhaps in St. George, where once again we traveled all the way only for the car to break right at the beginning. This year, it was the differential, so the hardest part was not giving up when we thought there was no way of fixing it. Thanks to Nathan Ottink’s team, we managed to continue on Sunday. Unfortunately, despite overcoming these struggles, my engine broke during the third heat on Sunday, so I still didn’t make it to the final.

At the moment, certain plans are still in progress because of my school exams, but I will try to continue in junior buggy. I will focus on improving again, learning from my previous mistakes, and doing my best. We will see how it goes…"

We wish Kristyna to pursue autocross and achieve great success in it during the 2025 season!