YOUNG karting sensation Muizzuddin Musyafa Abdul Gafar will be making history as the first Asian to be honoured as World Series Karting (WSK) champion when the international karting body (CIK) holds its annual gala at Adria near Venice, Italy on Jan 10.
Muizzuddin, who will turn 13 in February, will be honoured as the overall champion for WSK Champions Cup in the 60 Mini class – a title which he won earlier this year.
He also emerged runner-up in the WSK Super Masters Series in the class, which is contested by karters under 13 years old.
“This is not just an honour for Muizz and Gamoto Racing Team, it is also a huge honour for Malaysia. We hope that by winning this award, it will fire Muizz’s motivation and spirit as he goes for bigger challenges in the future,” said Gamoto Racing team principal, Salvatore Gatto.
“Undoubtedly, Muizz is on the right track in chasing his dream to be a Formula One driver. That’s what he always wanted – to be like Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg in becoming an F1 driver. We are trying as much as possible to help him pursue that dream.”
Gatto has guided the young Muizzuddin through his formative years, since the Kuala Lumpur-born moved to Italy to begin a karting career that has seen him write his name into Asian motorsport history.
“We are happy that Muizz made the decision to travel to Europe and compete in Italy. It would be difficult to make rapid progress by competing in Malaysia. Naturally, it is much more expensive; but it provides the best returns in investment,” said Gatto.
“Muizz’s father shared his challenges and I am truly happy and touched that some of his close friends had come to his aid. Since the last four years, Muizz had been staying in Italy with his mother to compete in Italy since he was nine years old.
In his first year in Italy, Muizzuddin was named as Rookie of the Year of the ROK Cup Italy in 2012 when he was 10 years old.
Scoring podium wins in various competitions including the prestigious CSAI Italian Karting Championship, which is regarded as the junior world championship for go-karting, Muiz was a regular top finishers.