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Next Lewis Hamilton spotted?

C

chopperman

Joined Sep 2006
23K Posts | 3+
A three-year-old racing prodigy has been signed on a five-year deal as a works driver for Motorsport World karting team.

Ben Kasperczak, now four, was discovered on the same karting circuit where Formula 1 ace Lewis Hamilton began his career.

The tot, from Potters Bar, in Hertfordshire, is believed to be the youngest person ever to be signed as a works driver.

To put it in perspective, Ben is still at pre-school, is not yet out of night nappies and cannot even ride a bicycle without stabilisers.

His talent for driving was discovered quite by chance when his parents bought him a battery operated kart when he was two-years-old. Within 15 minutes his parents had noticed he had an uncanny knowledge of what he was doing.

His father, Paul Kasperczak, said: "I put timber blocks on the kart so that he could reach the medals and within 15 minutes he was spinning it around, doing turns. He was absolutely fearless, but in control. It was staggering."

His contract runs until his ninth birthday, during which time he will receive technical support, equipment, academy coaching and free time on the track and given all the opportunity to progress.

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It's scary how young they start now. Makes me realise what a mountain I've got to climb.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Orrmate @ Jul 3 2007, 01:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>
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It's scary how young they start now. Makes me realise what a mountain I've got to climb.
At which age is it now officially too young to be touted as the next big thing and given full backing? Three years old, to me is far too young to be looking. He could get bored of it by age 13 and wasted 10 years of their time!
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Josh @ Jul 3 2007, 01:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>At which age is it now officially too young to be touted as the next big thing and given full backing? Three years old, to me is far too young to be looking. He could get bored of it by age 13 and wasted 10 years of their time!
I think the same, and to be honest I think when these young drivers are nannied through their careers like this, the effects can be the opposite of those intended. As you say, they can lose interest, as they are almost being forced into it by their parents, rather than choosing themselves that they want to race. Because of that, many will never love the sport in the same way as someone who starts later, and I personally don't think they will be as determined either, on and off track. There are exceptions. But it seems strange to me to start a kid this young.
 
according to wiky, rossi first jumped on a bike aged 2, and was racing 100cc go-carts at 5 years old.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Josh @ Jul 3 2007, 01:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>At which age is it now officially too young to be touted as the next big thing and given full backing? Three years old, to me is far too young to be looking. He could get bored of it by age 13 and wasted 10 years of their time!

yeah i'll go along with that. plus doesnt anyone think that signing up such a young kid to a works team would put undue pressure on? surely at that age it should be just for fun, not plotting to make yer kid the next who ever.
 
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I was watching this on the news. And that little kid lives in Hertfordshire and so does Hamilton. Hertfordshire's the best
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WTF????
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He's only three!!! That's way too young if you ask me!!
Maybe he does have talent, but to already sign him at this age?? That's just insane.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Best Man @ Jul 3 2007, 06:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>yeah i'll go along with that. plus doesnt anyone think that signing up such a young kid to a works team would put undue pressure on? surely at that age it should be just for fun, not plotting to make yer kid the next who ever.
probably parents trying living to live out there ambitions through there children,just like these beauty padgent kids. i hope it does work out for him tho, i think most greats started at an early age.
 
.... me!!!. When I was 2 the closest I had to a battery operated kart was a cardboard box with a wheels drawn on the side. Lucky little ......

To all the 3 year olds out there, become this kids friend. You may be the next Uccio, even though he's disgusting he probably gets a lot of ...!!!!
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (vale4607 @ Jul 4 2007, 08:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>.... me!!!. When I was 2 the closest I had to a battery operated kart was a cardboard box with a wheels drawn on the side. Lucky little ......

To all the 3 year olds out there, become this kids friend. You may be the next Uccio, even though he's disgusting he probably gets a lot of ...!!!!
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (roger-m @ Jul 3 2007, 01:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>probably parents trying living to live out there ambitions through there children,just like these beauty padgent kids.

I know what you're talking about Roger! One of my pet peeves. Here's a little gem from the late, great sketch comedy show Mr. Show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPNvGP8Q9Kc
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Orrmate @ Jul 3 2007, 08:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>
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It's scary how young they start now. Makes me realise what a mountain I've got to climb.


Orrmate, I need a teamate next year in the FBMW USA Championship. Do not be angred by that. I will bet you tickets to Monaco 2020 that he will be a dud. And I though the story was on me. Paul Stoddart says I am a good driver, and he picked out Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber.
 
I don't think there is anything wrong with encouraging a child into a sport or leisure activity that you like, and it should not be considered living out dreams through children. Some parents play football with their kids, some let them ride bikes and some will take their children skiing, thats normal as far as i am concerned. And i agree that somebody involved in motorsports should be their because it is a passion and love of theirs, but most people who love it, and almost all who are successful at it had their love developed by exposure to the sport at relatively early age.

However i am unsure if i approve of serious competition or any kind of pressure being applied to children at a young age in any sport, because it can be harmful to the child in the long run. Signing a talent at such a young age is fine, but if he is aware of the support he is getting and told that he must perform and impress to maintain it, then too much is resting on his shoulders. I guess what i'm saying is that i think its fine to encourage children into sports and supporting them as much as possible, but they should be there because they enjoy taking part and not because they are looking for a particular result. That competitive edge should develop naturally with maturity as the child's desire increases, rather than the child feeling like a result is necessary to satisfy someone else (parent or sponsor)
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Jul 7 2007, 10:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I don't think there is anything wrong with encouraging a child into a sport or leisure activity that you like, and it should not be considered living out dreams through children. Some parents play football with their kids,

i take it you have never watched the parents at a childs sunday league match then tom
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (roger-m @ Jul 8 2007, 07:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>i take it you have never watched the parents at a childs sunday league match then tom
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these youngins!...... so much to learn!
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (roger-m @ Jul 8 2007, 01:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>i take it you have never watched the parents at a childs sunday league match then tom
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Is that football?
 

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