Racing champion Calvin Ming living his dream

…aiming to become a Formula 1 racer

By Akeem Greene

The speed, the dashing turns, the smell of tyre burn, the popping of champagne after a trilling win are just some  reasons that young Formula Four race car driver Calvin Ming (CM) is pursuing his dream of a life on the race track.

Just at the age  of 19, Ming has been a constant finisher on the podiums  in both  the United States and South America and most recently secured a  third place finish at the Circuit of the Americas in Central Texas.

The teenager, who is son of veteran racer Stanley Ming,who has to balance studying Civil Engineering at Florida International University and racing, took some time out from his busy schedule to speak to  Guyana Times International Sport  (GTS) on his experiences racing  with team Pelfrey.

GTIS: How has it been racing in the F4 Series?

CM: Racing in the F1600 series has been such a great experience for me, I have been able to push myself to the limit racing against strong competitors and also I have been able to work with such a great team of coaches and mechanics which has helped me to develop more as a driver.

GTIS: You have been getting a lot of podium finishes, what do you think is the reason for your performances?

CM: I think it’s is due to some luck and making sure I don’t get in any accidents with the competition and also due to all the training I have been doing both on and off the track.

GTIS:  Obviously touring is a big part of racing, how difficult has been travelling to various countries on a regular basis?

CM: It has been really difficult and time consuming but you have to make sacrifices if u want to do the things you love.

GTIS: Explain the thrill of going over 180 miles per hour, is it not frightening?

CM: Well it is terrifying knowing that you can lose control at any given time. But I guess it’s just growing up I use to go at that speed quite a lot while racing in karting so I got use to it.

GTIS: What is your ultimate goal?

CM: My ultimate goal is to a paid professional driver, I’m very interested in F1 but I am also interested in Leman and Indy car racing.

GTIS: What keeps you motivated after the long hours of training, accidents and long air time?

CM: It’s my love for racing; I just love the adrenaline and going fast. Also I love the mind games that go on in racing. It is kind of like chess trying and thinking ahead of your opponent so you can be the first to cross the finish line.

Ming who is grateful for the support of his parents grew up watching his father race super bikes which created the love for motorsport he now possesses.

Go-karts since age six, a competitive nature throughout his career in shifter karts, competing with friends to later becoming two-time Go-Kart Champion in Guyana, is in full force with  his drive to one day become a Formula 1 racer.

This weekend, Ming will take the track at the Virginia International Raceway for the final round of the F1600 Championship after which he is expected undergo testing with INDYCAR for a   new formula car next year.