Press Release

For immediate release

GOLDPOKAL 2009: Wackersdorf, GERMANY

SUCCESS TURNS TO GOLD FOR IFR’S MAXI GUNKEL IN

GERMANY
Intrepid Force Rotax driver Maxi Gunkel has claimed victory in Junior Max over the
weekend at the Goldpokal 2009 event held at the Wackersdorf circuit, to win one of
the most prestigious trophies in German Karting. This is the first time the class has
been included, which makes it even more special.

As a result of taking the honours in the pre-final, the 15-year old also sealed the 2009
DMV Kart Championship, which he was leading coming into the last round of the
series incorporated into the Goldpokal meeting. It was a truly fantastic achievement
for the young German driver, who was ‘over the moon’ when the realisation set in
that he’d won.

“It really was a great weekend and a lot of fun racing with the Austrian team, who
have helped make this win possible for me. In the qualifying, the Intrepid chassis &
HRS engine was working really well and I took pole position. In both finals Sunday I
had a good start, with a gap of more than 4 seconds in the first race when I crossed
the finish line first. The last race was not as easy, but I managed to hold my lead from
the start and pushed hard to fight off a challenge to win the Goldpokal, also setting
the best overall time in the final lap.”

“So, now I have the Goldpokal trophy in my hands and it’s a very cool feeling! I want
to thank the people who have supported me this season, who include my dad
and mum, Manfred Schulte (Sports President DMV), Oliver and Michael Fröhlich
(Happybet) , Klaus Ernst (Ernst Motorsport) , Uwe Jäger, Team VPD Racing - Mr.
Kraihamer (Team Principle), Ernst Penninger (Race Team Manager) and my ‘very
international’ IFR team mechanics Steve (GB), Josh (NZ) and Martin (NL).”

A famous German race driver, who was not so lucky after starting on the front row as
well, was 7-times Formula One World Champ Michael Schumacher, who was also
competing at the Goldpokal 2009. Taking a weekend away from the F1 circus,
Schumacher lined-up in the KZ2 class with his German kart team KSM Racing, giving
the Wackersdorf spectators a taste of why he’s a Motorsport legend.

It was not only a pleasure to watch, but no doubt incredible inspiration for the many
other drivers there to witness his amazing racecraft skills and sheer confidence on
the track. Unfortunately, a brazen move by another competitor to snatch the lead
from Schumacher sent the former European ICA Champion spinning just laps from the
end of the final, leaving him 4th at the chequered flag. However, officials penalised
the ambitious driver who caused the incident, which promoted the #77 kart to 3rd.

This weekend, IFR travels back to Germany to contest the 2009 German Masters,
where Maxi will join two of the Austrian team members at their last race on the
European schedule for this season.
More news and updates can be found at www.intrepidforcerotax.com &
www.racetogetthere.com

VPD Marketing GmbH & CoKG • Lasserstrasse 2a • A-5020 Salzburg

Jenni Wade – Press Office
press@racetogetthere.com • www.racetogetthere.com