Foto:@borsch_racing
Ukrainian Young Drivers: How the Karting School @borsch_racing Trains Future World Champions
It would seem that what connects Ukraine and world karting today? It is no secret for many that the best pilots of the international WSK series later become pilots of the teams of the queen of motor sports – Formula 1. But in order to drive a racing car, you need tremendous experience and skill, which pilots begin to acquire at the wheel of a kart from childhood.
Ukraine plays an important role in this process thanks to the @borsch_racing karting school, founded nine years ago for children from 4 to 8 years old. During this time, more than 500 pupils passed through the school, who not only learn to drive a racing car, but also undergo the process of education and formation. Highly qualified teachers instill in young pilots discipline, endurance, the ability to control emotions, respect for comrades and elders, attentiveness, the desire to win, excellent physical training, a sense of friendship and mutual assistance.
Especially talented children show their abilities already after a few months of training and continue training in racing teams at the Chaika national track in Kyiv. As early as five years old, they can compete in the national championship of Ukraine. Racing at such an early age is not possible in other European countries such as Germany, Italy, Spain and France, where the minimum age for racing is 8-9 years.
Young pilots take their license exams, where the requirements are as strict as in other European countries. This includes not only the ability to drive a kart and knowledge of race flags, but also the rules of behavior in extreme situations, safe overtaking, handling the kart during a skid, extreme driving techniques in the rain and much more.
The youngest pilots aged 5 to 6 years in the micro class develop speeds of up to 65 km/h. Children from 6 to 8 years old in the baby class reach a speed of 80-85 km/h. In the mini 60 class for pilots aged 8 to 12, speeds exceed 100 km/h, while juniors aged 12 to 14 can reach speeds of over 130 km/h. These indicators testify to the high qualification and training of Ukrainian young pilots.
The @borsch_racing team, founded and led by the title pilot Hennadiy Borsch, represents Ukraine at national championships in Romania, Poland, Italy and the international WSK series. Ukrainian pilots have repeatedly climbed the podium, which confirms their high achievements. In 2023, Oleksandr Legenky became the champion of the WSK International Series, and in 2024, Lev Krutogolov took the prize-winning places in the same series. Slavik Putiatin won international races, including the Trofeo Ayrton Senna.
To date, nine students of @borsch_racing karting school are participating in the world races of the 2024 season. The Ukrainian team successfully competes with well-known world teams such as Tony Kart, CRG and Baby Race.
What connects Ukraine and world karting? The spirit of struggle and the desire for victory are embedded in the hearts of Ukrainians from childhood. Love for the motherland and pride for one’s country. Professional coaches and dedicated children, ready to sacrifice their carefree childhood for the beauty of sports and for the sake of their homeland. Although there is no peace, there will be. When young pilots rise to the podium, it becomes a symbol of peace in a time of war. Let this be the beginning of world peace, and battles remain only in sports arenas.
