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| Features |
| EKN Interview Series: Bobby Wilson |
| Article by: - by Jeffrey Franz |
 | | Bobby Wilson lights 'em up at the SKUSA World Finals, September 2000. |
Back in September, as the Superkarts! USA ProMoto tour reached the World Finals in Oklahoma, there was much speculation as to who might capture the coveted Formula S1 title. At the time, points leader Kyle Martin seemed a likely favorite, though certainly Scott Speed and Chris Lobaugh were strong contenders as well.
Yet it was the young man from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, lurking fifth in the pre-World Finals points, who capitalized when others fell victim to collisions or mechanical failure. Nineteen year old Bobby Wilson emerged from the World Finals as the 2000 ProMoto champion, and he will carry the coveted #1 plate on his kart in 2001.
To talk with Bobby is to enjoy his honest, straightforward style that likely comes from his Midwestern upbringing. He does not indulge in any embellishment of his early racing days, nor is there any trace of ego in the discussion of his successes. Importantly, he has a realistic approach towards his own future as a driver, and his pursuit of a degree in mechanical engineering is a sure sign that, one way or another, Bobby Wilson is determined to have a career in motorsports.
Ekartingnews: Tell us how you came to be involved in racing.
Bobby Wilson: I've been around auto racing and motorsports my whole life. My dad, Bob Wilson, used to race Super Vee, and then he bought a kart in 1993. He wasn't that great at it, so he handed it down to me and I got my start because of him. Dad has always been there to support me, and he is my biggest fan. I wasn't very good at first, and I struggled a lot in the beginning. But I worked hard at it, then in the last four years I've done some street and enduro racing and won some championships.
EKN: You're attending the University of Wisconsin, at Madison. How difficult is it to juggle your studies with your racing pursuits?
BW: I find that I always need more time, so it's been hard travelling to some of the events. The last few races, I have had to prep the kart, so I've been home almost every weekend. Out of the whole semester, I think I've spent three weekends here at school, which isn't very much.
EKN: If you had to choose between racing and your studies, which would prevail?
BW: If I find the right deal, I would love to do racing for a career, that would be the ultimate dream. But then again, things could change in a heartbeat, I could get in an accident and be walking around like Nelson Piquet. I need to have something to fall back on.
EKN: So by studying mechanical engineering, you are strengthening your chances to have a career in racing, other than as a driver?
BW: Exactly. I like racing so much I always want to be around it. I have really good friends at Team KOOL Green, and they are always telling me how much fun it is.
EKN: What were the high and low points of your 2000 campaign?
BW: Most definitely, winning the World Finals was the high point. But, I also look forward to the King of the Streets race. I love Rock Island, that's a fun race with the crowd turnout being so big. It's great having all those spectators there. The low point was the ProMoto round at Barrie, Ontario. It was horrible since nothing was going right. It rained on Friday, and the kart was really fast in the rain, but when it came to a dry setup, that was my worst weekend ever. We had a bent chassis, then in qualifying my carburetor fell off after just one lap, and then I got drilled from behind in the feature.
EKN: If there was one thing that you could change about the way karting is organized in the United States, what would it be?
BW: One thing I don't like is certain drivers making it into the S1 field that are dangerous, so to speak, and perhaps not qualified to be there. They could have twenty years of experience under their belt, but they're just not being fully attentive. When they started the series, they gave out licenses based on your past experience, but as the series got bigger, the standards don't seem to be as high. Besides that, I think the show put on by Jim Murley and Don Janowski is the best around. SKUSA draws all the finest shifterkart drivers into one series, and their organization works really well.
EKN: What are your plans for 2001?
BW: I'd like to do well in the Skip Barber series and move up that ladder if at all possible. I am also looking to do a test session in Formula Mazda, for the team that Jason LaPointe drove for this year. They are giving me an opportunity, and my test with them is at Willow Springs in December.
EKN: What about karting for 2001?
BW: I'm going to stay with the Trackmagic team. I'll be working with Jerry LaPointe, Jason's dad, and I plan to repeat the title. |
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