A guide to the driving, drift, and riding coaches at Bulgaria's newest racing circuit in Samokov — from rally champions to Nürburgring winners
When A1 Motor Park opened its gates in March 2026, it didn't just bring a 3.91 km FIA Grade 3 circuit to the Balkans — it assembled a team of instructors with combined centuries of competitive experience. From six-time national champions to Nürburgring 24h winners, here's who's teaching at the track.
The Driving Academy covers race driving instruction and safe driving courses. The lineup includes rally champions, GT winners, and motorsport veterans with experience across World and European championships.
Racing Driving Instructor
One of Bulgaria's most decorated rally drivers with a career spanning over 25 years. Six-time Bulgarian champion, five-time European regional champion, and a veteran of the World and European Rally Championships. With over two decades of professional instruction experience, Yanaki brings unmatched depth to A1 Motor Park's Driving Academy.
Racing Driving Instructor
Two-time Bulgarian national rally champion, two-time Balkan rally champion, and the driver of the first WRC-spec car in Bulgaria. A proven rally legend with extensive experience behind the wheel of Ford Escort WRC, Hyundai Accent WRC, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Celica, and Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX. Now passing that knowledge directly to the next generation of drivers as Racing Driving Instructor at A1 Motor Park.
Racing Driving Instructor
Master's degree from the National Sports Academy with an "Auto-Moto" specialization. A multi-discipline competitor across rally, circuit racing, hillclimb, and gymkhana, with a trophy cabinet spanning over a decade: Bulgarian Rally Champion (2003, 2004, 2009, 2010), South European Champion Cup winner (2005), East European Rally Cup winner (2001, 2008), Rally Bulgaria winner (2008), Serbian Rally Champion (2012), and European Rally Trophy winner (2014). Creator and organizer of Super Drift Series Bulgaria. Also runs safe driving courses.
Race Driving Instructor
Over 15 years on track with 8 karting titles and 7 motorsport championships. Key results: 2025 ADAC Prototype Cup LMP3 Champion, 3rd at the 24h Nürburgring in a Lamborghini GT3 (SP9 Pro/Am), 2024 Porsche Sports Cup Endurance Vice-Champion (GT4), 2022 Porsche Sports Cup Endurance Champion (GT4), 2019 ADAC TOTAL 24h Nürburgring winner (Audi R8 GT3, SP8), 2016 GT4 European Series Vice-Champion (AM), 2015 Deutscher Tourenwagen Cup Champion (Production 2). Also holds a World Vice-Championship in ROK karting. Set the first unofficial lap record at A1 Motor Park (1:30.991) in a Porsche 911 GT3 R.
Safety Driving Instructor
Team manager at MG Rally Team and Safety Driving Instructor at A1 Motor Park. Active competitor across rally, hillclimb, rally sprint, autocross, and endurance racing (cars and karting). Multiple-time participant in the Bulgarian National Championship. Beyond racing, focused on training and developing young drivers, with active involvement in the professional growth of future champions.
Safe Driving Instructor
Karting competitor and team manager since 2003, with twelve years of active racing in national championships and the Sodi SWS world series. Beyond racing, Kristian managed his own four-driver karting team, developing strategy and nurturing champions. Now focused on track days, safe driving schools, and focused training sessions. For him, speed has never been just a hobby — it is a way of thinking.
The Drift Academy focuses on vehicle control at the limit — teaching drivers how to initiate, maintain, and transition between drifts with precision and confidence.
Drift Instructor
One of the fastest-rising names in the Balkan drift scene, age 27. 2020: two podiums at debut events (1st and 3rd place). 2022: PRO class debut with a podium at the very first race, Trackwood and RoDrift appearances. 2023: Vice-Champion of the Romanian RoDrift championship with 2 wins and 3 podiums from 5 rounds. 2025: competing in the European Drift Championship Drift Kings International.
The Riding Academy is led by active competitive riders who bring real racing experience from national, Balkan, and European-level motorcycle championships.
Chief Riding Instructor
Chief instructor at A1 Motor Park, age 26. National and Balkan champion in F1000 (2024), National Vice-Champion F1000 (2023), 3rd place SST1000 BMU (2025), finisher at the FIM EWC 8 Hours of Spa. Official rider for Dunlop Moto Europe. In 2026, started a new project with LARA Racing Team after 5 years with Hela Motorsport — two championships, 11 racing weekends, two BMW S1000RR machines, targeting the SST1000 BMU title and top 5 in SBK.
Race & Safety Riding Instructor
Professional motorcycle racer and instructor. 3rd place in the East European Championship in both 600cc and 1000cc classes. 2022 season: 5th in BMU, 3rd in Bulgarian National Championship (F600). 2023 season: debuted in F1000, finishing 5th in BMU and 4th in the National Championship. Over the past three years, actively coaching riders across all levels, with numerous students developing speed, technique, and confidence under his guidance.
Instructor sessions at A1 Motor Park are booked directly through the circuit. Contact A1 Motor Park via their official channels for availability, pricing, and scheduling.
Independent Editorial Content This article is published by CIRCUIT.INSIDER, an independent motorsport media platform. We are not affiliated with A1 Motor Park or the instructors listed below. All information was compiled from publicly available posts on A1 Motor Park's official Instagram account (@a1.motor.park). Biographical descriptions are original editorial content by CIRCUIT.INSIDER. Request correction or removal →