Henny Hemmes attended the first Competition of the 2016 CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy at Essay (FRA) closely following the progress of Shion Tsujimoto, the Japanese driver supported this year by the FIA Women in Motor Sport Commission.
How have you integrated with the FIA Women in Motor Sport Commission?
I have over thirty years experience as a Driver and instructor. As the first woman to win an FIA Championship in Holland, and due to my personal beliefs, the KNAF, the Dutch ASN, asked me to take care of women’s issues in the sport of our country, a mission that I of course accepted in addition to my journalistic activities. When the FIA Women in Motor Sport Commission was created six years ago, I joined the team with great pleasure, under the chairmanship of Michele Mouton. We are a united group of women determined to help girls and young women at all levels and in all areas of motorsport.
What did you think of your trip to the Karting Competition at Essay?
This was my first visit on a CIK-FIA Karting Competition and I learned a lot from the officials and Drivers. I left excited by the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy. Everything is done to provide the best opportunities to all participants who have at their disposal single-make equipment which is as fair as possible.
Of course in motor sports, there is never perfect technical equality, it’s impossible. However, I think that’s part of the training: young drivers must learn to cope with their equipment and to redouble their efforts to make up any differences, without losing time from external causes. Sometimes you have to work more and work harder to achieve success and that is also what makes the beauty of our sport. I was very impressed with the quality of organisation of this Competition. The CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy brings together Drivers from nearly 40 nationalities. And when I say “together” it is not an empty word. They get to mingle, get to know and therefore to respect each other. This is an important element in their education.
What was your main role at this Competition?
I was there firstly to support the Driver who was chosen this year by the FIA Women in Motor Sport Commission, the Japanese Shion Tsujimoto. I also had the chance to see the progress in this Trophy of another girl who we follow closely, Hamda Al Qubaisi of the UAE, who made her debut in the Academy.
Shion is fast, but needs to improve her race management and not attempt manoeuvres that cost her dearly. The most important thing is not yet to aim for victory, but to gain the maximum experience in each race. The frustration of not always reaching the finish line is also part of learning for a Driver in order to learn and stand stronger in the next race. Shion is a young, serious and motivated girl who takes advantage of our support to make progress.
Info CIK-FIA / © Photo KSP