專訪香港賽車手
甄卓偉及陸漢洋
賽車在香港向來有不少負面標籤，跟危險的街頭賽車及犯罪活動扯上關係。兩人立揚威國際香港賽車手為此禁不住以正視聽，為這項運動護航：「賽車絕對是正經事，我們亦不是別人口中的『飛仔』﹗」
陸漢洋是史上首位參加一年一度舉行的法國利曼24小時耐力賽的華人。他坦言可以在法國賽車場上展示香港區旗感到十分榮幸，不過成功之路卻非常困難，他跟其他香港賽車手都面對香港資源不足的問題：「運動員需要不斷練習提升自己技術，可是這不但沒有像樣的賽道，亦沒有一個協會為我們這些賽車手發聲，更遑論夠輕易獲得贊助吧。賽車訓練極花金錢，所以在香港玩這運動絕不容易。」
專賽房車的甄卓偉為了實現兒時夢想，特意到中國內地及其他地方受訓，鄰近香港的澳門也方便香港車手練習賽車及參賽。甄卓偉補充道：「澳門格蘭披治大賽是不少香港人的情意結，我亦花上11年之久才贏得賽事，獲獎那刻也禁不住落淚呢﹗」他不但首次參加中國房車錦標賽便獲得冠軍頭銜，其後更成功獲得兩次年度總冠軍，陸漢洋很為這位朋友感到驕儌。儘管賽車在香港面對不少困難，本地職業賽車手卻很團結，他們表示：「我們人數雖小，但一直互相支持，因為任何一位賽車手成功了，都會有利香港賽車界。」今年香港終於迎來首屆首次本地賽車盛事：全電動方程式賽車。屆時中環海演的街道變身為一條兩公里的賽道，希望能為賽車平反之餘，還引起大家對賽車的興趣，陸漢洋說：「如果賽事辦得成功的話，無疑會為我們賽車手打下強心針。」
Meet the race car drivers
Andy Yan and William Lok
The phrase ‘Car Racing’ has long carried negative connotations in Hong Kong, conjuring images of dangerous street racing and criminal activity. Andy Yan and William Lok, two of the most prominent Hong Kong-based race car drivers, fell the need to clear up straight away the misconceptions surrounding their sport. ‘Our car racing is an absolutely serious activity – we aren’t punks!’ says Lok.
Despite – or perhaps because of – the bad rap and other obstacles, Hong Kong’s fraternity of professional race car drivers sticks together. Between Yan and Lok, there is only a friendly vibe. ‘The racing circle may be small but we are supportive,’says Yan.
‘This is because any success from and driver will only contribute to the community.’
Lok was the first Chinese ever to take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, an annual race in France. For him, it was a dream come true to see the Hong Kong SAR flag flying at the French circuit. But all race car drivers inf Hong Kong share one frustration: the lack os facilities. ‘Like all sports, car racing is about practice.’says Lok.’Sadly, there isn’t a decent track or institutional support, let alone sponsorship. Car racing also costs a lot to train. this makes the sport all the more difficult to develop in Hong Kong.’
Yan has been able to realise his childhood dream of becoming a race care driver by training in other places such as mainland China. Macau’s close proximity has also mad it a feasible training ground and competition site. ‘The Macau Grand Prix is well known in Hong Kong,’says Yan.’It took me 11years to win the race and I had tears in my eyes standing on that podium.’
Hong Kong’s motorheads haven’t had a race to call their own – untill this year. For the first time, Formula E will hold its all-electric racing event in Hong Kong, turning the Central Harbour front streets into a two-kilometre track. Perhaps the race will dispel some of the old notions, too, and build greater interest in the sport. ‘If the event is successful, it will strengthen us well,’ says Lok.
