Jan Marschalkowski emulates legend Toni Mang.
Both come from Inning, both are racing athletes - one on two, the other on four wheels.
Inning
- Toni Mang is one of the most famous motorcyclists in Germany.
Together with school friend and mechanic Sepp Schlögl, the Inninger made his place of birth world famous in the 1970s and 1980s.
The 71-year-old has secured five world titles in his impressive career.
40 years after winning the first world championship, the next Inninger is in the starting blocks for an ambitious racing career: 18-year-old Jan Marschalkowski was junior winner in the “ADAC GT4 Germany” racing series in his debut season.
In the Mercedes-AMG of his “Zakspeed” team, the Inninger races over the most prestigious race tracks in Germany.
To be allowed to drive on courses like the Hockenheimring is “absolute madness” for him.
Marschalkowski got his first kart when he was at elementary school. He had already been a spectator at several Formula 1 races and had followed “actually every race” on television.
Kart career ends with overall victory
However, what made him want to become a racing driver himself was his experience in a 24-hour race.
“I was absolutely impressed by the performance of these drivers and immediately knew that I wanted to do that too,” recalls the high school student.
It was clear early on that Jan Marschalkowski had talent.
In the following years he gradually worked his way up and developed further until he had a chance of winning the championships.
Marschalkowski sealed the end of his karting career by winning the Kart Cup.
First tour in the Mercedes-AMG before the first driving lesson
Thanks to the help of its sponsors, this year attracted higher speeds, a dedicated GT4 car and a significantly increased media presence.
"I'm very grateful for that and hope that I can now attract even more racing fans to my side," says the 18-year-old.
The first time in the AMG was completely new territory for him.
Especially since he hadn't even started his driver's license at this point and was therefore driving a real car for the first time.
“The first driving lesson then went pretty well,” adds Marschalkowski with a laugh.
Already in the first test drives he noticed that the car was much better for him than the little kart.
Goal of the junior champion achieved: “Unlimited joy” at Marschalkowski
He started his first season in the GT4 series with the aim of becoming a junior champion.
Together with his teammate Hendrik Still (33), who was "a great help" for him in the first year, he immediately achieved fifth place in the overall standings - and the youngster from Inningen actually won the junior title thanks to spectacular racing successes.
“The joy was of course limitless for the whole team and for me.
That was the satisfaction for a special season due to the Corona conditions, "says Jan Marschalkowski.
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Jan Marschalkowski got the title.
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The start of the season had been postponed several times, which is why the then 17-year-old had to wait a long time for his first real outing in the GT4 car.
"But I was perfectly prepared for everything by my team during the Corona break," he says.
“Zakspeed” is the best that could have happened to him.
In the footsteps of Christian Danner, Bernd Schneider and René Rast
The team, which even gained experience in Formula 1 from 1985 to 1990 and employed drivers such as RTL expert Christian Danner or the later DTM legend Bernd Schneider, treated him extremely professionally and at the same time very humanely.
Marschalkowski has new goals for the coming season.
“The preparation for promotion to the ADAC GT Masters is starting,” he announced.
He wants to find a place there as soon as possible and develop further.
In this series, the three-time and current DTM champion René Rast made his breakthrough.
“The absolute dream would be to make it into the DTM one day,” says Marschalkowski.
"But first I have to develop step by step."
Small profile: First kart at the age of eight
Jan Marschalkowski was born on December 3, 2002 in Munich.
The freshly baked 18-year-old has been an enthusiastic racing fan since childhood.
He followed Formula 1 on television at a young age and was there live at races.
He got his first kart at the age of eight - the starting shot for his career.
While the driver of the “Zakspeed” team tries to set the course for a professional career, he is doing his Abitur at the Rhabanus-Maurus-Gymnasium in St. Ottilien (Landsberg district) next to the track.
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Jan Marschalkowski is aiming for victory in the overall standings of the GT4 racing series in the coming season.
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Marschalkowski lives in Inning, the home of racing legend Toni Mang, who is considered the "eternal motorcycle world champion" in the 350cm³ class.
It is Jan Marschalkowski's dream to experience such a career as well.
After several strong years in karting, which were crowned by the Kart Cup title, he landed in the “ADAC GT4 Germany” racing series last season.
From there he wants to start a successful career.
“I have some plans and I want to make it as far as I can,” says Marschalkowski.
Small profile: "Aiming for victory in the overall standings"
In his first year he caused a sensation when he was able to secure the junior title.
"Next season we are aiming for victory in the overall standings," announced the inninger
Thomas Okon