Grand Prix Indonesia was a good form statement for Erik Stark, who placed third on beautiful Lake Toba with his Victory Team.
In front of Indonesia's president and 150,000 spectators, it is now clear that the Swede can still assert himself.
- I am very happy with the third place. Not least because me and the team have been away from boat racing for a couple of years. This was a nice statement of form for us, says Stark.
Stark started Friday by being second fastest in the free time practice. The following day he recorded the third best time in the battle for pole position ahead of Sunday's race.
The Swede got off to a good start but lost a position after the first lap. What then looked like fourth place unexpectedly turned into third place when the American Shaun Torrente was disqualified for a false start.
Distinctive for Grand Prix Indonesia was a new type of track with many sharp turns and significantly longer lap times.
- We succeeded in everything from the choice of propeller to the set-up in general. This with a clear prioritization of good acceleration rather than the highest possible top speed, says Stark.
Fastest of all was the Pole Bartek Marszalek, who with a total of 50 race starts behind him never before been on top of the podium. In eighth place we find another Swede, Jonas Andersson, who dueled with Stark for a long time but lost in the end.
- Third place in all glory, but most of all I value the form message and the good cooperation with the Victory Team. It feels promising for the rest of the season, concludes Erik Stark.
Next on the competition calendar is the Grand Prix China, on the weekend of April 29-30.
