WINSTON KAMPERIN JUNIOR RACING PRODIGY

Winston’s life was far from mundane before he took up go-karting at the tender age of seven. Since then, the young resident of Marbella has become a growing star in the world of junior motorsport.

A Young Star Is Born

Once done, the event produced a curiosity in young Winston that had to be satisfied, so his dad took him to the races and a round at the go-kart track that would end up sealing it. “At first, he rode with me, not frightened at all but loving it and urging me to go faster and faster,” recalls Robert. Before long, Winston was racing for himself in the children’s gokarts, leaving all behind him.

“The talent was obvious from the outset. Without any coaching at all, he was by far the fastest on the track, so it was clear that Winston has an innate speed and affinity with racing.” In fact, the then seven-year-old took to motorsport with such gusto that his father eventually bought him a CRG brand kart of his own. Unlike the previous generations, for Winston the passion was on four wheels.

He acclimatised quickly, rising up the ranks even faster after coaching sessions and summer training camps, which left the young boy somewhat of a speed devil. “He just kept getting faster and faster as his technical skills and understanding of the dynamics of track racing evolved, and it was impressive to see him grasp rather complex concepts of physics so naturally.”

Others began to notice Winston’s potential too, and he emerged from a training camp with accolades as ‘the biggest talent that had been seen for years’ in the area. Christmas brought him his own kart, and the new year brought the first exposure to competition racing with older, faster boys as he was simply too good for those in his own age group.

A FUTURE MOTOR RACING STAR FROM MARBELLA?

Covid put a spanner in the works for his planned first racing season, yet when Winston returned to the track it was no longer as a pure hobby, but as a potential future star.

“As you go up the ranks, the level of competition becomes increasingly intense, and costs along with it. Motor racing is an expensive, technical sport, but when he had a chance to compete in the junior Spanish championships going into 2021, we went for it 100 per cent,” says Robert.

It produced the first in an impressive and growing series of trophies – to date five national cups and four regional medals – as the young star worked his way up the ranks, always as one of the youngest drivers on the track. He began to stand out for his technical ability and determination, all the more visible in wet weather conditions such as his first real championship race in 2021. “I was beginning to win races and was usually at the front, even with older boys, and it was a lot of fun,” says Winston.

Now asked to join a proper racing team with a fellow prodigy, he continued to improve amid the hectic schedule of schoolwork and racing. “Winston combines natural talent with a real drive and dedication to learn and succeed,” says his dad, who had long since stopped engineering for his son. The professional who took over has a long track record of high level kart racing and has been able to impart valuable tips, which the young driver has absorbed with intense enthusiasm. ›

CREDENTIALS:

2021

» 4-time podium and 5th overall in Fernando Alonso Academy / Spanish Championship

2022

» Youngest ever pole position holder in Spanish Championship (Age 8-12)

» Youngest rookie winner and 6th overall in Spanish Championship

» 5th overall in the Valencian Championship (Age 8-12)

BIO:

» Name: Winston Robert

Kamperin

» Date of birth: 29 April

2013

» Nationality: American/ Swedish

» Birthplace: Houston, TX

» Residence: Marbella, Spain

» Height: 137cm

» Weight: 32kg

» Nickname: Mr. Pole Position

He was competing in the Fernando Alonso Academy (Spanish Championship for young talents), where all drivers are given similar karts and engines are distributed by a fair lottery. On these level playing terms Winston took a podium spot in his first race with many more throughout the season. “Fun was still the central element, and he was learning the ropes and getting to know the circuits all around Spain,” says a proud dad. By the end of 2021, it was clear that even among older children, Winston had something that set him apart.

Stepping up to the Rookie category in 2022, he quickly found his confidence and raced at the top, becoming the youngest ever pole position holder in the Spanish

Championship. All the time gaining more experience and learning about tactics, timing, slipstreaming techniques, how to look after your kart and also about attacking and defensive driving – a learning curve that accelerated after a few scuffles on the track in both Spain and at the European Series in Italy. Both in 2021 and 2022, Winston was at times hit so hard that his dad first saw him arrive back at the paddock in an ambulance, fortunately only being treated for bruises and contusions.

“Adversity only seems to heighten his drive and determination though, and only hours later Winston bit through the pain and secured first place in the final qualifying race, coming from behind to take the win on the final lap.”

It’s the kind of grit and skill that has seen him attract attention from major teams. Is it too early to think of a professional career? “Naturally, that is the dream, but whether it could be Formula One or the GT or Le Mans series is another question, and in the meantime he has school and a childhood to get through as well,” says Robert, “not to mention more seasons in successively ascending karting championships.”

Asked about his own ambitions, Winston remains focused on the task at hand: “I am aiming for a top-three spot in the major championships this year:”

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