Martin Smolinski begins his defence of the FIM Long Track World Championship powered by Anlas, Kineo and HKC Koopmann this coming Sunday (6 July) at Mühldorf in the German state of Bavaria with home advantage and a remarkably relaxed attitude as he bids to win his third consecutive individual title in the discipline and his fourth in total.
Over a long and decorated career, the forty-year-old engine tuning specialist from the Bavarian capital Munich has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to keep his cool under high-pressure conditions and with the opening round of the 2025 campaign just a few days away he is remaining incredibly calm and collected.
“My main goal is to enjoy racing and don’t get injured,” he said, “although I am still hot to win one more title. My team and I have nothing to prove, and I am confident that we will show what we can do. Yes, I work well under pressure, but I also have an awesome family, awesome team and work a lot on being mentally strong.”
Smolinski is also a hugely respected Speedway rider who claimed a Speedway Grand Prix win in New Zealand in 2014, although it is Long Track where he truly excels with his world titles coming in 2018, 2023 and 2024 with his most recent crown carrying extra significance.
“This was an awesome win for me personally because it was my first world title as an engine tuner and it was also a great feeling to show the level that myself and my team work to. I do a lot of engines for other riders and it’s the best method of marketing – win on Sunday, sell on Monday. Also, you must remember I have a hip replacement and I’m a little bit older than the boys behind me, but I still enjoy racing.”
With last year’s on-track success translating directly into off-track business, relocating and expanding his Smolinski Performance tuning company has been a priority over the winter. He has also been focusing on his Smolinski Performance Academy that allows him to put something tangible back into the sport.
“As a professional racer you always need good trainers, and I love to pass my experience forwards to young racers. For over ten years I go every year with around twenty kids to Italy for a training camp. I also organise fitness camps together with MSC Abensberg before the season and we do practice days to teach the kids. My plan is in the future to have a professional academy where we can bring the knowledge to the young racers.”
The 2025 FIM Long Track World Championship powered by Anlas, Kineo and HKC Koopmann gets under way this coming Sunday (6 July) at Mühldorf in Germany with tapes scheduled to go up on the opening Heat race at 14:00 (local time).
