The Sepang, Malaysia F6 circuit gave Asia a taste of the raw racing power throbbing within the blood of Kevin Chen. Ending with a 4th podium finish due to mechanical difficulties, Kevin and Team Champ Motorsport immediately set their sights on the next big race, the Sentul Circuit in Indonesia from July 19-20. The weekend event drew racing fans from all over the world and saw some new names added to the race driver roster as well.
One of the names that called out for attention was Chen’s. His name was on everyone’s lips, anxious to see how the American-Chinese driver would fair against the seasoned likes of Grunwell, Bruins, and Ebrahim, men he faced off recently in Malaysia.
Chen had faced a medical scare that almost prevented him from joining the Sentul event. Inexplicably hit with right eye twitching and irregular heartbeats, his medical advisers looked towards pulling him out of the race in lieu of a full physical exam. But Kevin knew he had a point to prove and with a strong sense of self-determination, he hit the Sentul circuit with a new stride. Kevin looked forward to working his way to pole position in order to prove to his fans and detractors that he has what it takes to stay the course and finish the Asian Festival Of Speed with a series of impressive podium finishes.
Trusting in his team and his car to get him through the race when his concentration and focus were hampered by illness, Kevin got behind the wheel and took to the track in 7th position, his grid-based position based upon the previous race results. Working his way up after 28 laps, the crowd went wild upon realizing that he had stealthily worked his way up to 3rd place, threatening to take the 2nd place slot from veteran Grumwell as Kevin finished the race with an impressive 40:47: 737-time record. The official race finish tally showed Earl Bamber in pole position with James Grunwell in 2nd place.
During an interview in his hotel room after the race, Kevin was visibly excited by his accomplishments but was also fighting back symptoms of the illness that had been dogging him for the past few days. When asked how he managed to concentrate on the race feeling the way he did, today, his reply showed that racing was something that was in this guy’s DNA.
“There is something about the roar of an engine and the speed of the car that makes the driver forget everything else. When I get into the driver’s cockpit, thoughts of other things simply fade away for me. My mind and body become one in concentrating on that one single goal, pushing myself to my optimum driving ability in order to finish the race in decent rank. The minute I flicked the starter switch on my car, I no longer felt sick.
Adrenalin automatically kicks in and sometimes, as I felt during the race that day, I seem to be driving only on basic instinct. Nothing else distracts me from my end goal.” Nothing may distract Kevin from his goals, but his handlers are still sending him in for a full physical check-up at the end of this circuit.
Asked about the rumored his rumored car problems that spread among the race aficionados prior to the race, Chen had this to say; ” Car problems are common for race car drivers. Every driver enters the race believing his car is in the best condition ever. But the truth is that the car is only in its best condition possible. For me, that possibility is made by the ever-hard working team of engineers that comprise Team Champ Motorsport.
I take my hat off to them and their uncanny ability to produce the best results under time pressure. Yes, I had some brake and gear problems during the practice runs and parts of the actual race, but obviously, it was not something that a united Team Champ Motorsport could not handle.”
The most admirable thing about Kevin Chen is his humility in triumph. As our interview ended, his team members began to flood his room for a small party he had set up to thank everyone who has continued to support him in his AFOS quest. “I especially want to thank my sponsor, Franz Collection for all the help and support they have given me during this festival. It means so much to me to have them there at each race cheering me on to victory. I will always share each and every victory with their wonderful company.” With that said, he took his leave and popped the champagne cork to kick off the party.
A representative of Franz Collection was present at the party to toast the star athlete of the company. In a prepared speech Fraz collection indicated that “The company is very pleased with all the achievements of Kevin Chen and are pleased to support all his endeavors now and in the future.” Indeed, Kevin Chen’s racing future looks brighter than ever and Franz Collection is willing to bet on it.