Buggyra Academy partners with Citarusus to launch international karting program
Buggyra Academy, the driver development program of Buggyra Organization, announced a new partnership with Citarusus, one of the leading Czech karting teams, at a press conference in Prague on Monday. This partnership creates a combined Buggyra Academy/Citarusus karting unit and expands the Academy's training infrastructure to facilities in the Czech Republic, Italy, China, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain.
The new Buggyra Academy/Citarusus unit will serve as the Academy's dedicated karting team in the national series Baby60, Mini60, and ROK100 classes, run in the Czech Republic and Italy. Drivers competing in other karting categories will continue to be placed under contract with specialized teams, matched to their individual needs.
A long-term, individualized approach
The program's core objective is the long-term development of young drivers to progress into the top tiers of circuit motorsport or rallying. Beyond providing equipment and race entries, the Academy places equal emphasis on physical and mental preparation, data analysis, communication skills, and personal habits required for a professional racing career.
"We want to build a path for young drivers that can lead to a professional career in circuit racing or in rallying. That doesn't mean we'll push everyone in the same direction at the same pace. Everyone has different strengths, different rates of development, and different needs. Our job is to recognize those differences and work with them," said Martin Koloc, CEO of Buggyra Organization.
Rather than grouping drivers by age, previous results, or category alone, the training program will be continuously adapted to each driver's ability, experience, and long-term targets.
"We don't want to put drivers in boxes. Some need more seat time in the kart, others need to work on fitness, concentration, or their ability to describe how the machine behaves. What matters most to us is that the kids don't lose their enjoyment of racing. Results matter, but above all we want everyone to have fun with motorsport. Without that, there's no long-term growth," Koloc added.
Aliyyah and Sebastien Koloc with their father and CEO of Buggyra Organization, Martin Koloc
International training facilities
Working with Buggyra Organization, Buggyra Academy will provide program members with training facilities in the Czech Republic, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Italy, and China.
Following the conclusion of this season's Czech Kart Open championship, the team will relocate to Italy to race in the ROC Cup Superfinal and the ROC Festival at the end of November. Over the winter, training camps are planned at Buggyra's bases in Dubai and Bahrain, followed by a spring program in Italy.
Leadership and mentoring team
Martin Hudec, CEO of Citarusus and Head of Operations for the Buggyra Academy/Citarusus unit, will oversee the day-to-day running of the karting program. Hudec sees the partnership as a chance to combine Citarusus's hands-on experience working with young drivers with Buggyra's international infrastructure across multiple motorsport disciplines.
"It's an honor to work with a team as significant as Buggyra. Citarusus brings daily experience working with young drivers, and Buggyra offers the know-how, infrastructure, and path to the next stages of a racing career. It's not just about one fast lap. We want to teach them to train systematically, work through mistakes, and understand what's happening in the kart while they're driving," said Hudec. "We'll build a program for each driver based on their current level. What matters is that the kids feel supported while gradually taking on the responsibility that professional motorsport demands."
Alongside Hudec, the Academy's mentoring team includes Buggyra ZM Racing team driver Aliyyah Koloc, who brings a wealth of experience from truck, circuit, and rally-raid racing, including the Dakar in the highest category, and Czech racer Adam Lacko, who has accumulated experience, among others, in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo, the Ferrari Challenge, WTCC, and GT1. He is also the 2017 European Truck Champion. Both will mentor young program members not only in driving but also in race preparation, working with engineers, and handling competitive pressure.
"I'm really looking forward to working with the young drivers,” said Aliyyah Koloc. “I know firsthand how important it was for me to have more experienced racers giving me advice and helping me handle not just the driving and the pressure, but also learning to deal with mistakes. Now I'd like to offer them the same kind of support.
Program members and partners
Joining Buggyra Academy for the first time are Matěj Procházka, Veronika Pokorná, Tereza Pokorná, Daniel Pokorný, Nathan Wiśniewski, Ondra Matuška, and Michal Beránek. Continuing in the program are Míra Mikeš, Matyáš Purš, Niki Lacko, Mia Lacko, and Sebastien Koloc.
IT companies LineUP9 and Target 5, both based in Prague, will also partner with Buggyra Academy in this new racing program. Together, they are investing in the future of motorsport by supporting talented young drivers and providing them with the platform, guidance, and opportunities needed to become tomorrow's racing champions.
The project will also include an international racing program, with calendar planning for the 2027 summer season already underway.
Aliyyah Koloc, Martin Koloc, Martin Hudec and Adam Lacko (f.l.t.r.) at Monday's press conference launching the program