Kacper Halkiewicz: The Priority was Advancing to the IMEJ Finals

KRONO-PLAST WŁÓKNIARZ finished their PGE Ekstraliga games already in August, securing 7th place. However, this does not mean that the players of this team have completely rested from riding. Among others, junior from Częstochowa, Kacper Halkiewicz, is still participating in various competitions. On September 7, at the track in Guestrow, the 17-year-old secured a spot in the finals of the Individual Junior European Championships. The young speedway rider shared his impressions in a conversation for ekstraliga.pl.

Norbert Giżyński (ekstraliga.pl): Kacper, first of all, huge congratulations on advancing to the finals of the Individual Junior European Championships. What would you say about your performance in the recent semifinal of these competitions in Guestrow? You took fifth place with 11 points. Do you consider this start sufficiently decent, or do you perhaps have at least a small sense of dissatisfaction?

Kacper Halkiewicz (KRONO-PLAST WŁÓKNIARZ Częstochowa): There may be dissatisfaction because I lost 2 points on the track in one of the races. Therefore, it could have been better, but these were semifinal competitions. The priority was thus to find myself in the TOP 7.

How would you comment on the track in Guestrow, Germany? You started on this venue for the first time in your career. Did it pose any difficulties for you?

There were difficulties during the first outing on training. Later – with each piece of the track covered – it only got better. I really liked that track.

Was participation in the IMEJ finals at least one of the goals you had in mind before the 2024 season?

Honestly speaking, initially, it was hard for me to believe that I would get there. Therefore, I didn’t have such a specific assumption before the season.

As unfortunately known, you, as KRONO-PLAST WŁÓKNIARZ Częstochowa, dropped out of the fight for the PGE Ekstraliga playoffs. On the other hand, in the Team Junior Polish Championships, as KRONOS II WŁÓKNIARZ, you finished at the semifinal stage. However, now you can fully focus on preparing for the IMEJ finals, which will take place on October 3 in Herxheim.

Yes. Since we didn’t get to the PGE Ekstraliga playoffs and the finals of the DMPJ, unfortunately or fortunately, we have more free moments. Therefore, there is time for all sorts of reflections on how to ride on a track without barriers.

How would you rate your chances, maybe not for the podium, but at least for the best possible result in the October tournament in Germany? The competition seems to be very demanding. Competitors you know well from the PGE Ekstraliga, like Wiktor Przyjemski, Bartosz Bańbor, or Oskar Paluch, will participate.

The competition is tougher, but everyone has equal chances, so I will simply try to show myself as best as I can.

Considering that you are no longer participating in some competitions this year, such as the mentioned PGE Ekstraliga and DMPJ, do you feel a strong hunger for riding?

The hunger is already there and will grow with each passing day, especially when the speedway season ends completely.

Norbert Giżyński