25th Dec 2004

Meeting a future WORLD CHAMPION

It was stormy afternoon when it was our allocated slot to meet Bas Lammers - European Champion 2003 & 3rd in World Championships Formula A 2004. 

Accompanying Bas was Nicola, his team manager who is also this personal mechanic. Both were on their way home to Europe after their CIK-FIA race in Suzuka Japan and stopped by in Malaysia, at the invitation of City Karting.

Whilst the initial part of the meeting was given by Nicola and concentrated on kart setup, the highlight of the day is surely hearing Bas describe how important is kart seating, good communication with his race engineer, his own future racing plans &  training program.

Bas is only nineteen years old ( he turned 19 on Dec 10 ) but speaks with much maturity when he answered questions from the crowd. His determination to succeed to the highest level of motorsports, Formula 1 is supported very much by his own self-discipline in training & grooming.  Speaking in his accented English, Bass describes his typical daily training regime.

"Each morning, I run 6-10km without fail....at times, this is replaced by swimming. Then it's an hour workout in the gym for strength training....followed by 3 hours of karting.." Nicola, his manager went on to tell us later privately in a smaller group that Bas is a very discipline individual and does not even need any reminders on what he has to do to excel in his sports.

We also found out that Bas runs the Swiss Hutless hire-kart center as well as part of his daily work routine, in addition to his own karting program.

We were also given 1st hand advise by Bas, what physical exercise our karters can do to increase strength on the neck muscles, wrist muscles - all done with simple weights and bars. Nicola in fact, made one up while we were talking about it & showed us how simple such an equipment can be.

The crunch came when refreshments were served......Bas declined the Coca-Cola drink which was passed around! Diet restraints does not allow Bas to indulge in such simple pleasures in life - and he was not even reminded to do so! I genuinely think it was Bas who restrcited this on himself.

In a smaller round later with Nicola, Nicola expressed his certainty that Bas will be in Formula 1 one day and truly believes Bas has all it takes to reach that level. He quoted how Bas took an effort to personally thank his Japanese sponsors in Suzuka, even though he spoke no Japanese. His professionalism, even at only 19 will easily earned him many more good sponsors in future.

I am sure our young drivers learned a lot during Bas's visit and I am hopeful all of them will take their physical conditioning, diet and discipline more seriously - which will also mould a correct mental attitude. This is especially vital if they want to make motorsports their career!

Like me, many were impressed by Bas & his personal commitment to be the world's best in motorsports. I can happily report that I witnessed our young Syafiq & Jazeman jogging around the Shah Alam track yesterday......a good effort in the correct direction! Please keep it up!

....Safe Driving and racing! Merry Xmas & a Happy New Year with plentiful of good health, prosperity & happiness!