FORMULA-1 CHAMPIONS USED TO BEGIN WITH A KART

It is common knowledge that all the current Formula-1 drivers used to begin with karting (perhaps except for Daymon Hill who changed the motorcycle for the race car). They also repeatedly said that a kart is closer to a racing car than any other vehicle. And it is not accidental that a victory in this mini-formula is valued very highly, for this is an automobile sport in which the main role is played, above all, by the racer's skill and talent, rather than the car's technical performances (although the latter should not be ignored completely).

The interesting thing is that karting is the most popular car-racing sport. The World Federation alone unites 84 countries and holds annually 12 world and European championships, up to 20 cups and trophies, and over 40 open international events. Do you want to know why? Oddly enough, owing to accessibility and, at the same time, exotic nature.

Just imagine a tiny car capable of running at a speed of 200 km/h. When you are driving a kart, you seem to be flying a centimeter above the ground. Can you possibly resist the temptation to «fly?» However, «flying» belongs to things pleasant. There are also things routine. President of the Ukrainian Federation of Karting Ivan Kyianychenko told The Day about the problems and achievements of karting in Ukraine.

«In the five years of our existence, we have markedly strengthened ourselves. We hold an annual 10-leg championship and Cup of Ukraine. The Ukrainian racers' best result on the international stage is the 13th place won by Yevhen Borshchenko at the European championship in Val Vibrata, Italy. And now about problems. The main one is lack of attention on the part of governmental bodies, particularly, the State Sport Committee and the Defense Promotion Association of Ukraine. The Sport Committee denies us support under the pretext that we are under the Defense Promotion Association jurisdiction, while the latter says just the reverse.

The other problem is the tracks. All of them were built very long ago and need reconstruction. Some of them even lack basic conveniences. It is planned to build in the nearest future an international-level karting complex in Zaporizhzhia oblast. Refereeing also falters: everybody will not agree to stand in the sun all day long, with a 9-hryvnia traveling allowance. As for me, I do not think there are insoluble problems in karting. If any problems arise, they are only the continuation of those of the whole country.»

As we see, there are enough down-to- earth difficulties. Karting as a sport is in Ukraine to stay. Its importance is hard to overestimate, for karting can cater to any age. People begin to practice it from the age of six and, in some countries, even of three. There is no upper limit here at all. The Schumacher brothers still like to go racing on a kart. By the way, the twice champion wins more often, which again proves that skill is the main thing in karting. So why not try to achieve it?