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S K is father to four children. He and wife, Anita, have two daughters and two sons, Natalie, 23, Sarah, 21, Andrew, 16, and Russell, 15. The Dads for Life Resource Team found out from S K about his eldest son’s journey to international top-level competitive motor sport. Andrew is currently leading the Asian Karting Open Championship after two rounds of competition, with three rounds remaining on the calendar.
According to S K, karting is a great sport for fathers to enjoy with their sons. The noise, dirt and hardship are part of the route to becoming a champion kart racer. For Andrew, the journey to championship level karting reads like a classic father and son story.
Green Light
Thus began their regular trips across the border for races and practices. S K said, “We realised that to race, we had to be very serious. So, almost every week, I would drive up with Andrew to the Elite track in Sepang. Once in a while we would also drive up to Langkawi where Andrew would spend two or three days racing.”
“It was hard work, as we did not spend on the best equipment. Instead, Andrew drove a second-hand kart and we used mostly second-hand parts.” This naturally played a strong part in developing Andrew’s discipline and willingness to make sacrifices to succeed. He had to constantly cope with equipment failure and put the effort into maintaining his equipment, which was dirty, smelly work.
Freedom
In spite of his struggles, Andrew’s racing prowess became obvious, and by 2005, he was succeeding at the Cadet level, which even earned him a feature on Channel News Asia.
However, the tough training had taken its toll. S K relates, “One day (when Andrew was 11) he just said he didn’t want to do it anymore. It was a turning point.” Though his father tried to talk him out of giving up, Andrew was not willing to continue, “and that was that,” S K said finally.
Support from Family
Andrew said that he was thankful for his family’s support in his decision to leave the sport. “I’m really happy that I had the freedom to leave and return on my own terms.” He spent almost four years away, simply doing normal teen things.
Out from Pit Lane
In 2009, Andrew decided to make his return to the sport. According to S K, “(Andrew) had missed the Junior years (11-15 years of age), when the competition is the fiercest.”
Andrew had a whole lot of catching up to do, but more importantly, the father-son pair spent a lot of time on long journeys together and they would talk about things. S K would learn a lot from Andrew. “I also took the chance to apologise for many things that I had done to Andrew when he was younger to push him,” S K revealed.
The Penultimate Lap
When Andrew returned to the sport in 2009, he demonstrated his talent, competing at the Senior level in spite of missing out on the Juniors. By 2010, Andrew was breaking into the top 10 places at races in Japan. He also qualified for the ROTAX World Finals in Italy that same year, being the only Asian driver to do so.
The Important Things
They are now working on the dream to attain the title of World Champion. However, what is most important to S K is not only that Andrew develops as a driver, but that he also develops as a person.
“The thing that makes us most happy is that he has also gained respect from his peers, and others who are around him. Praises from other parents, saying how respectful he is of others, makes me especially proud,” S K declared.
S K also believes that every child is talented, and given the freedom and support, they can get very good at what they want to do.
His three other children are testament to that, as they are budding talents in their own right. For Natalie, it is in her writing, while Sarah is good at languages. And, Russell is good at handling children.
About the Author: The Dads for Life Resource Team comprises local content writers and experts, including psychologists, counsellors, educators and social service professionals, dedicated to developing useful resources for dads.
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