Artem Markelov Russian Champion
26-8-2009
The first champion of season 2009 who drives a Kombikart chassis is Artem Markelov. Artem won the Russian Rotax Max challenge last weekend. We congratuate Artem with this great result. Artem was interviewed after his race.
Q: Artem, you won the Russian Championship this year, even though the final championship round is still coming. How this happened, as we remember all four of main competitors for the title including you had equal points or just few points difference?
A: I have won all last three races of the championship even though the start of the season was not that bright. The first race of the championship I was third and after it, I told myself that I can do better than that. The goal was to win every next race, no more third places, second places or whatever and I did it, but I want to add that it was very hard and may be this why I like it so much.
Q: The last race that you won and where everything was decided on the title, can you tell us about it?
A: It has been a very tough competition during this race. In the pre-final in the first corner was a big crash and as usual every body blamed me that I started it. Thanks to the videotaping it was clear visual that I did not start it and I was just coming my line into the corner. They tried to push me out from this line but as a result they hit me and crashed out from me because I had a very stable position inside the corner. Anyway I was blamed and punished as usual which becomes a normal way for me and put on the second place to start the final.
Q: We all saw the final and it was a strong drive from you when on the first lap you were only on the fifth place and then your troubles were not over yet when the fourth place guy spun in front of you closing you the road. What actually happened in that moment?
A: Starting from the second position on the outside is always difficult, so I managed only fifth position on the first lap. Big surprise came to me when the guy in front of me spun and there was no way to go. At first I thought to run over him on full speed but then I thought it is only the first lap and I just stopped in front of him. That stop cost me another three positions and I was eight but it challenged me a lot in my mind to come from eight place to win the race and I thought that I could do it and I did it. A lot to learn for myself.
Q: Congratulations to you and what is next this year?
A: Next I will drive one or two races in Holland, Rotax Eurochallenge race and then Grand Finals.
Q: Why will you drive in the Dutch Championship while you are not running it full time there?
A: The Dutch Championship is a very strong championship, may be even the strongest. It is a very good training for me and a very good preparation, also for the Grand Finals. By the way, I think I miss some of my friends over there that pushed me out few times already, let’s not make their life boring over there.
