A champion returning home

FRI 01/04/22
A champion returning home

 

A champion returning home!

Over the years, many great racing talents have learned their tricks at our circuit. Last week we got to welcome back one of these champions, Beitske Visser returned to her roots for a day!



It's a sunny Thursday, our paddock is almost empty again after a busy weekend BNL Karting Series. Only the tent of our own team GKS is still there, and inside the tent? Only 2 people getting ready for a day of karting. W-series driver and perhaps the fastest woman in the Netherlands, Beitske Visser and GKS mechanic Rocli are getting the kart ready to tear across the asphalt. I briefly interrupt their preparations for a pleasant interview with a pleasant, relaxed pilot. I immediately notice that Beitske is eager to get behind the wheel, which makes me wonder where such a passion and drive for racing comes from. "My parents have always had a car company, so I actually grew up among cars. My father also raced a bit himself and actually I started nagging from the age of 3 to be allowed to go karting and at the age of 5 I was finally allowed to start." Explains Beitske.

 

You used to start in karting, you have driven in the Rotax Euro Challenge championship among others, can you tell us something more about this?

Throughout my career I have driven in many championships, including Rotax and BNL, so I can say that I have been here at Karting Genk quite often. With the KZ I also won here once.

So we can say that you belong in the list of Champions of Karting Genk?

"I hope so yes!" she says with a big smile. "I have always found Genk a very nice track too, I also see it a bit as my home track because whenever we went to train we would come here. Of course it is also an international track so the quality speaks for itself, in any case I really enjoy coming here to ride."

You always race with 1 red and 1 blue glove, how come?

She laughs as if she knew there was going to be another question about this. "I've done that since I was young. It's actually a bit of a superstition, I also always have a red and a blue shoe on. Of course in motor racing it's a bit trickier since for the most part we don't choose our uniforms ourselves."

What is the achievement you are most proud of so far?

"To name one thing I find a bit difficult, in karting I would say WSK champion. In motorsport it's far too many things to choose from." Says Beitske.

You have obviously known Rocli (mechanic GKS team) since childhood, how nice is it for you that he is here again today?

"It's definitely nice to work with Rocli again, of course I know him well since he was my sister's mechanic. I definitely enjoy working with him once as well."

Also for you Rocli, How proud are you of all that Beitske has achieved?

"Of course, I've known her for a long time and what I just think is the most fun to see is that, after not being here for a number of years, you put her in the kart and she just runs great lap times. From that, you just notice how much talent she actually has, and I just think that's tremendous fun to see." Explains a visibly enthusiastic Rocli.

Beitske, we already know that you inherited the racing microbes from your parents, but do you actually have a great role model in motorsport? If so, who?

"Actually no, I actually never really had one, of course I look at all F1 drivers and other drivers who drive at a high level but really one specific person I don't have."

You are also the first W Series Esports champion, is SIM-Racing something you spend a lot of time on?

"Yes anyway, I started SIM-Racing with corona then I got a SIM-Racer at home and I also find it incredibly fun to drive races like this. I'm also on a SIM-Team now and if I'm not at the track and I'm at home you can find me behind the simulator."

Does that really help you while training?

"I think so, it's obviously not the same feeling but to get to know new tracks it's great. I do a lot of online races anyway even if it's with a different car because you do retain the feeling of racing. So yes, it does keep you on your toes."

You also participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans last year, now if you have to choose between Endurance races or the W series, where does your choice go?

"Can I do them both? Because that's what I did last year." She laughs, but I still kind of force her to make a choice. "At sprint races, of course, you really do it all yourself and I really enjoy that but Le Mans is obviously a race that every driver has on their bucket list."

What do you think about the increasing focus on women in motorsports?

"It's definitely nice to see, in the past when I came to karting I was often the only girl. Now there are a lot more girls running around anyway and I definitely applaud that!"

Do you have any tips for young girls and boys who would like to get into motorsports?

"I would always start with karting because this is where you learn all the basic things. Also, in karting you can drive a lot which is very important. This way you can slowly but surely build your way up."

I would just like to thank Beitske for her time and on behalf of everyone here at Karting Genk, wish her the best of luck for the upcoming season. In any case, here we are proud to have her in the list of champions who find their home in Genk.