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Hi folks and welcome.
Well this week has been birthdays’ week! Starting off with Alexandra’s 8th birthday party where everyone danced and played all the best games; musical bumps and statues and I’d like to give a ‘well done’ to the Beyonce, Shakira, Christina Aguilera and Fergie look-a-likes for helping me out with a great game of ‘four-corners’.
A couple of days later it was Taha’s 12th birthday party at Frank and Suhaila’s house. The ‘Pictionary Gang’ was there as well, and there was some great dancing from Sian, Lucy and Asad at the disco themed party; and what a funky birthday cake!
On Friday I was at the annual Raft Race at Al Bander Resort; where I compered from 10am till 5.30 in the afternoon. It was a long day but well worth it as lots of money was raised for many good charities around Bahrain. Well done to Batelco and Alba for winning the two categories, and a special mention goes out to the Durrat Vikings for their wonderful costumes and boat.
This week I also met a couple of guys who are really into motor sport and with the Gulf Air Bahrain F1 fast approaching I thought it topical to tell you all about them they are Vishesh Mhatre and Ryan Hesp.
First to chat was Vishesh. He’s 13 and goes to St Chris and is in year 9. When Vishesh leaves school he says that “there is only one aim for me and that is in motor sport”. He’s been driving motor carts now for two years and is ‘hooked’ he inherited his interest from his dad who has a keen interest in motor sport
He says that “I heard that a way to become a F1 driver was to start carting. Michael Shumaker, Fernando Alonso, Ayrton Senna (who unfortunately passed away but who I think would have been one of the best F1 drivers there ever was), all started off in carting”.
Also Louis Hamilton who I think is fantastic – the way he’s progressed, and to be really young – he’s really set a good impression for us youngsters and to think he’s only in his early 20’s
I asked the lads why Go-carts are called Go-carts because they ‘Gooooo’ obvious answer really…ha..!!
Vishesh and Ryan drive “CRG racing carts and use a global cart chassis and use rotax junior engines; which are the same as the seniors but are limited down to 18 horse power instead of 28 (for the seniors). Our cars top speed is 120kph ‘if we tweak them up’ – but not in Bahrain ‘cause the track is to small”.
Their team is called Team Rev.
Our main aim’s to compete in the Rotax Max Challenge. We aim to get to the World Finals; where the top drivers from each country compete. Last year it was Portugal and Ryan got to go. This year it will be in Al Ain (UAE) we both want to get to go. The sport is getting big in the middle east because of the new interest in F1 and more and more young people are getting into motor sport.
Juniors are 15 and under the number one junior in the world is currently a Belgian.
Ryan who’s also 13 also goes to St Chris school and has been driving for about two years represented Bahrain last year in the 2006 World final in Portugal. The weather conditions there were very wet so Ryan had some problems adapting to the conditions. (Not surprising since he hails from Bahrain). Despite this, he was still placed 63rd in the world. The conditions in Al Ain will suit Ryan much better so his aim is to get into the top 20 for 2007.
Ryan’s sponsors for the 2007 season to date are Al Kawati who are the agents for Castrol Lubricants and Pirelli Tyres in Bahrain and TCL Freight Forwarding Bahrain. Without their help he would not be able to attempt to achieve his goals. Ryan would like to thank them and also because go-carting is very expensive and he’s always willing to talk to anyone else who would like to sponsor him.. A new cart costs about BD2,000 to 2,500. add to that the price of all the other stuff on top like suits and fire protection and stuff. Wow
Tyres are expensive and have to be changed every month or so and you always have to have two sets the main expense though is simply the maintenance of the car as they need lots of servicing and parts changing.
Sean Murphy is the official Rotax dealer in Bahrain and he helps out with Vishesh’s cart Ryan does it by himself with the help of his Dad
Ryan admires Jenson Button and {Michael Shumaker who unfortunately has retired} I think they’re the smoothest drivers the racing guru’s often say that the smoother your lap the faster your lap. I think that’s true. The next smoothest driver I think would be Kimi Raikkonen who I’ve met and who has just won his first Formula 1 race racing for his new team Ferrari
Ryans tip for winning the F1 this year are Louis Hamilton and Vishesh’s tip is for Raikkonen
So maybe in a few years could these two budding drivers be trying out for the F1 with their enthusiasm and hard work they well could be..!! Good luck guys.
Keep gooooooooooooo carting…!
Krazy Kevin x
