A different aspect of racing – the interwiew with professional racing driver Bartosz Ostałowski

A DIFFERENT ASPECT OF RACING

We already know a lot about racehorses and their competition during races. Bartosz Ostałowski - a professional racing driver and drifter, who is the only one in the world to drive a car with his foot - makes use of slightly different horses, namely those mechanical ones. Among his greatest successes are: vice-championship of Poland in 2019, 1st place in the first round of the Polish Championship 2020 and a victory during a major international event at the Lausitzring circuit in Germany. Nothing can stop his passion for racing. His persistence, tenacity, and drive for his goals are a perfect description of his personality. The story of this amazing man will surely inspire many readers.

AUTHOR: PAULINA MAZUREK PHOTO: RAFAŁ KUREK, SŁAWOMIR FARBANIEC

Where does your passion for racing come from?

Bartosz Ostałowski: I always knew I wanted to race and that I wanted to become a professional sports driver. My love for racing has been around for as long as I can remember. It is something that moved me even when I was a kid. I remember when a cool car or motorcycle drove by and I would always look at it. It was fun for me to sit on my dad’s lap and hold the steering wheel while driving literally a few yards home. Later, when I was choosing a high school or college, I tried to choose subjects that would educate me about cars. With time, this passion became strictly racingoriented. Racing just like my idols became my main dream.

As your career progressed, you suffered a motorcycle accident. What motivated you to return to your beloved sport?

B.O.: My passion, above all. After the accident I felt uncomfortable at home. It was difficult at first. When I went back to my garage, where everything was as it had been before the accident, I felt sad that I would never do anything with my car or get on a motorcycle again. It was overwhelming, but I soon realized that I did not want to remain passive. I decided I would go back to college so I could become an engineer on a race team, design suspensions, and work in graphics programs. Above all, I wanted to stay in the motorsport environment. That’s what gave me purpose, the motivation to move forward. My passion inspired me not to let go and I was constantly looking for information on how people in a similar situation were coping. Eventually I saw

a video of a driver steering with his foot, and that motivated me even more to try to keep on going. I was also supported by my family, friends, and my girlfriend.

What do you value most about racing? What do you enjoy the most?

B.O.: I enjoy the fact that I am racing on equal terms. On a daily basis there are limitations due to my condition. But when I get ready for a race and my mechanics prepare the car, I can see that it is the same as in all the other teams. That magical moment when I get in the car and the door slams shut makes all my disabilities disappear. It is me, the driver, the car and the competition on the track. This is when I feel free, I feel I can do anything and it is a great feeling. This is when I am 100% in control of the situation. As a matter of fact, from my 10 years in motorsport nothing has changed, I am just a driver.

Do you visit Służewiec Race Track?

B.O.: I have never been to a horse race, but I have been to the Służewiec Racecourse twice for motorsport events. I had a chance to see the facility, observe - it inspired me a lot.

Can we hope to see you at the Track this season?

B.O.: I’m sure we will. I’d love to show up and see what a full race day is like. I’ll feel the excitement, which I’ve already heard a lot about.

Do you think there is anything in common between your sport and horse racing?

B.O.: What we certainly have in common is a sense of potential, the feel for ground, good communication, understanding, the ability to prevent injury through proper handling of the horse and machine. The common thing is also understanding and strategy for the ride. We have to know what we’re riding on, how the car or the horse is prepared, have a strategy so that we don’t overdo it at the beginning and then miss something. Finally, there is the battle - here the horses race side by side, just like in drifting the cars go side by side.

Where do you get your motivation and strength to tackle such huge challenges?

B.O.: Focusing on what works well, which is positive. I’m motivated by the fact that I have never stopped, but I’m constantly developing and becoming a better athlete. I am also strengthened by external observers who confirm our progress. When I look at the achievements of other competitors, at how many obstacles they had to overcome, I think to myself that it is worth fighting for these achievements. On a daily basis I do not really think about whether something motivates me. Rather, I focus on my goals. I know what I have to do and I just do it. I no longer do anything because I have to, I’m over that. Everything I do is driven by my curiosity about what the future holds.