Too Hot to Handle! Karting's Fastest Female on How it Feels to Beat the Worlds Best at Suzuka

You won a heat from grid 11 at the Asia Pacific ICA Championship in Suzuka, and took the fastest lap! What’s it like to win a heat against some of the best ICA drivers in the world?
' I couldn’t believe it at first to tell you the truth, for last year, I couldn’t even get to top 10. While I was driving in that last heat, in my mind, I counted the guys in front of me; I was third at that time. Then I was able to pass them guys at the last lap. After the race, at the parc ferme, everyone shook my hand, signs of respect, which is good for me. When I went up the hill to seeTerry, he gave me a big hug, started dancing and kept on telling me that it was a really good race to watch. I then sat down beside him with shock and excitement, he then asked me what was wrong, then I told him that that was probably my best race ever, and he agreed.'

In case you are wondering, her coach Terry is in fact the world famous karting legend Terry Fullerton! Wow, so I asked how has working with Terry improved your driving?
' Working with Terry has made my driving improve a lot. Without his teachings, I wouldn’t be where I am right now. He knows exactly what he’s doing, and it shows from my driving skills. He has improved me a lot as a racer and as a person.'

So is having a good coach something you think drivers need 'I think that it’s really important to have help from the best. There are a lot of coaches out there who have good backgrounds, but when they teach, they don’t really know how to explain this and that. I’m really blessed to have Terry as my karting coach to tell you the truth, for he tells you what your doing wrong, how to fix fit, how to improve it better, when to do this and that. He’s the total package as a driving coach.

I wondered what it is about her driving that sets her apart from other drivers. She didn't give much away! ' I'm not that different from any other driver, I drive on the same tracks, brake almost the same places, turn here, turn there. A lot of people told me the thing that separates me from other drivers is that I'm a smooth kart driver, if you want to be good you HAVE to be smooth. I'm patient, well at least I TRY to be. And the last but not the least, I'm consistent, that of course is the most important thing. Without consistency, you wont be able to get anywhere'

Well, seemingly she did't give much away, but from my point of view she has told us she knows exactly where she brakes, exactly where the other guys brake and exactly where she turns into corners. So I asked her how she goes about learning a new track. 'before going to the tracks, I look at the specific track that I will race on next, so that I would prepare myself even more. Then when I get there, would walk the whole track. See where all of the black marks are coming from, where people break and stuff like that. Of course I ask tips from Terry or my dad.'

I would say it's was a very brave decision to leave behind the Asian karting scene to go race against the world's toughest drivers. Michele has a very nice situation in Asia and could easily stay there with her celebrity status, and would probably be able to carve out a career as a profesional race driver from there- However Michele is a proper kart racer and wants to race the best drivers in the world!

On karting in europe Michele says 'there is no comparison between Asian karting and European karting. In Europe, they have everything, they have the best tracks, and best teams, best engine tuners, and of course, best drivers. If you win a championship in Europe, then you’re good, oh wait no, that’s not the word, you’re the BEST'

I want to climb up to F1 the right way, karting first, then up to cars such as FBMW’s, and others.'

'The thing that I enjoy most about karting that you cant get in cars, is that you can get wheel to wheel battle, bumping here and there, it doesn’t matter. Karting is the best way to learn how and where to get your driving skills. If you’re not good in karting, then you wont be good in cars.'

So what is the secret to success for you? 'I don’t think there’s a secret to my success throughout the year, maybe I’ve just improved a lot as a driver. I’ve been working harder than ever, which is important. And LUCK, luck is the key to win, without luck I wouldn’t have done my achievements that I achieved this year'

So what did I learn about Michele's secrets to sucess? Well first of all she is very smart! She has secured the services of the best people in the industry, ie Terry Fullerton. Next, she is methodical about her approach to driving, she knows where to brake, where to turn into corners and what clues to look for on circuits to get round them quickly.

As a person she is really impressive. From the moment I requested this interview she replied immediately with thorough and enthusiastic answers. She is very approachable and has a great website, where she tells us everything about her racing www.michelebumgarnerracing.com. That site is constantly updated so sponsors and fans can follow her closely.

And speaking of sponsors she has a whole list of them!
- accel
- Oakley
- Malaysian airlines
- Prive hair salon
- Cream silk hair products
- Powerade
- Bridgestone
- M & M kart racing team
- Tillett racing seats
- Alfano timing system

Michele now will compete in Macau for the final round of the Asian Open karting Championships December 15-18 where she is leading in overall points for the ICA class championship, and don't forget to check out her karting website to keep up to date with her progress. I wish all the luck with her future because she's a great driver, and puts in the maximum possible effort into karting!

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