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Ace karter Louis Skalski was back on track this week helping to raise awareness of breast cancer by competing in a race driving a bright pink machine.
The British School of Bahrain pupil was runner-up in the Bahrain Rotax Mojo Max Championship at the Bahrain International Karting Circuit in Sakhir on Saturday night, despite an early-round scare, finishing behind Mohammed Abdulaziz.
The 15-year-old from Karranah, who is managed by Motorsport Middle East’s development manager Neil Wilson and guided by the team’s technical advisor Gavin Hall, is determined to promote the cancer campaign over the next few weeks.
Louis said: “During a light-hearted team debrief in preparation for the championship we realised that our Kart No: 7 was fairly hard to see coming down the main straight and a suggestion was made to change the front wing for a highly visible colour.
“I am close to my older sister Charlie and my mum Kaye so I thought why not put a bit of pink on the kart to raise awareness during October - Think Pink month.”
Wilson and Hall supported the plan as they had both supported the charity in the past helping to marshal the annual Think Pink golf events held at the Royal Golf Club and other pink-themed track activities at the Bahrain International Circuit.
Wilson said: “The conversation turned to how cancer affects us all in one way or another. A decision was then taken that we would dress the front of our kart pink for Rounds 2 and 3 of this year’s championship.
“Louis is a remarkable young man. Two days into Think Pink and he collected about BD50 from donations in his school from classmates and friends.
“During both rounds of racing we hoped to raise more at trackside which we did manage to collect after selling pink polo shirts.
“Then, on Monday, Louis was asked to show his kart bodywork off in his school assembly as part of the Think Pink drive this year.”
Louis has been training with the duo every other Monday, preparing physically and mentally for the upcoming challenges.
After teaming up with Motorsport Middle East, the Year 11 student has grown as a racer and has come a long way since he first impressed during the 2012 racing season.
Wilson said: “Focusing on Louis’s drive style and his ability to make split-second decisions with his setup are a vital learning curve and has helped him further understand that driving is only a part of being a race driver.
“He is now more aware of his surroundings as a race driver; he is more familiar with his new kart and the role he plays within the team.
“Louis takes on board the advice and years of knowledge that Gavin has and applies this to his race setup. Giving Louis more insight and control has helped him understand that team work, trust and honesty alongside the technical knowledge he is learning are vitally important within motorsports in order to succeed.
“Louis feels that the equations, mechanical setup and the different methods used in preparing for the race have helped increase his educational scores at school.
“With close management, further technical insight and a full season of racing under his belt Louis promises to be a driver to watch out for.”
The guidance surely has paid off as Louis proved during Round 2 of the Rotax Championship. Louis recovered from a spill in lap one going from second to eighth place after he was knocked off the track at turn 10.
Afterwards, officials brought in a red flag situation on lap three and once that was resolved the race restarted. Louis was placed second to last but managed to overcome the odds and overtake the competition in the last turn, clinching second spot on the podium.
His sheer will and determination to succeed has resulted in his team calling him ‘Mini Mansell’ after F1 legend Nigel Mansell, a British racing driver who won both the Formula One World Championship and the CART Indy Car World Series.
Louis has now set his sights on Round 3 on November 9 and even though breast cancer awareness month will be over he will continue driving his pink kart in support of the cause.
Wilson said: “This is Louis’s first full championship season and early indications show him to be learning well as he competes alongside racers with far more experience.
“I believe that once Louis steps up on that podium this season he will be a far more focused race driver. That first win can make all the difference to any driver but, at this level, it can change a season for the whole team.”
Louis is being sponsored by AON, Earth and Genesis Technologies and Milestone Marketing International provided the pink bodywork to his kart.
Wilson added: “As a team we provide everything a driver requires apart from personal sponsorship that covers race entry fees and tyres. With seven rounds of this exciting national championship left, Louis still requires that extra financial input to be able to complete a full season.”
For those wishing to donate to the cause or sponsor the race ace email info@motorsportme.com or contact 17212262.
