He is this year’s winner of the Rotax International Trophy at Le Mans, Belgian champion and winner of the Rotax Euro round in Genk. However, polish karting fans don’t know that in his veins flows Polish blood. Ilian Bruynseels, because we are talking about him, is another leading driver in Europe with Polish roots.
By Paweł Surynowicz
You are one of the many drivers in Europe with Polish roots. You were born in Belgium and you race in Team Belgium, you are successful with Bouvier Power, but you are not very well known in Poland. Tell us about yourself. How did your adventure with karting start?
I was 9 years old at that moment I didn’t have a hobby, so we were searching for one. And we went to try indoor with rentalkarts and I actually liked it from the first time because of the speed and the adrenaline you get once you step in. And after a few lessons which I’ve took I went to a outdoor karting and we bought a kart and started to do races.
What does karting mean to you?
Karting became a passion and my second home. Always when I’m at the track it makes me a happier person and I feel home. Time goes always fast when you are at the track.
And at last Rotax Grand Finals it was so?
The Grand Finals was a disappointment of course. After such a good season where I became International Trophy champion and Belgian champion you always hope to end good at the Grand Finals but due to the crash which I was in a sandwich so I couldn’t do much and ended up in the tyres and got out with a concussion. I was frustrated but that is how life goes and you can’t do anything about it. Despite that I had a good time in Sarno with the rest.
OK, let’s talk about this season. It was very good for you. Belgian Champion, Le Mans win… It was your best season?
Yeah, it was my best season so far indeed. We worked hard to get here where I am right now with Bouvin Power. Ended with winning in Le Mans, Euro Open in Genk and becoming Belgian champion.
You are Belgian, but Polish blood also flows in your veins. Your mother is Polish. Do you sometimes visit Poland?
Yeah, we go often to Poland for holidays. I love to be in Poland because the food is great there actually. And just love to spend time in Poland when possible.
Didn’t you think sometimes to start in the Polish championships?
A lot of people have asked me that question already to be honest. Maybe if there will be a good offer from a team and it will fit with the other races, than why not.
Do you have colleagues among Polish drivers? Do you know any friends?
Yeah, I know a couple of Polish drivers. Slawomir Muranski is one of them and we’re talking sometimes when we see each other. I’m trying to speak Polish to him when I see him at the track but sometimes with some English words of course when I don’t know how to pronounce it in Polish.
Who is your racing idol?
Max Verstappen. Just the way how he overtakes other drivers. Despite I’m not watching often F1 but when I do is to see him racing.
Do you know him from karting paddock?
Personally I don’t know him. But I remember driving together with him when I was small. I think I was driving Mini Max back in the time.
What is your plans in 2020?
We still dont know. I hope to stay with Bouvin Power and we’ll participate in Wintercup & BNL & Euro series & Le mans hopefully. We are still searching for some sponsors. I received few offers from multiple teams, so we’re also still looking on those.
photo: FM Images, KSP Reportages
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