Széchenyi István University is striving to become the number one higher education institution in Hungary in the field of motor sport. In this spirit, the Uni Győr WMS go-kart team was established at the beginning of the year, which was announced at a press conference on 28 March. Patrik Lipovics was also introduced at the event, the KMS Europe karting team’s driver and winner of last year’s RMC Hungary championship, who will also be working more closely with the university in the future.
At the event, Prof. Dr. Ferenc Friedler, Vice Rector of the University of Budapest, stated that sport is the best teacher to be competitive in other fields as well. „Our students not only graduate with a degree and the knowledge of how to compete, but also how to work as a team and how to be successful in their careers. For every university, it is important to have a supply of young talent: we are in a special position, we have an advantage because we have competitors from primary school,” he underlined.
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The participants of the press conference, including the young, talented go-kart racers (Photo: András Adorján)
Dr. Tamás Gyömörei, President of the Széchenyi István University Sports Association (SZESE) explained that the name Uni Győr is appearing in more and more sports, as the initiating sports organisations feel that for families, the academic progress of their children is extremely important in addition to their sporting careers, which is why the partnership with the university is important. „We can offer sportsmen and sportswomen a dual career model, which means the possibility of obtaining a degree alongside a sporting career,” he said. He added that they founded their motor sport department a year ago, and they want people to think of Széchenyi University when they hear the word motor sport in Hungary or in neighbouring countries. Róbert Balázs Simon, Member of Parliament for Győr, said that Győr’s education and sporting life are recognised in the country. „I am confident that go-karting will also draw attention to the university. I wish the participants continued success in this endeavour,” he noted.
Balázs Weingartner, President of the Humda Hungarian Mobility Development Agency, a member of the Széchenyi University Group, explained that the automotive motorsport strategy they have been formulating for three years gives priority to the education of young drivers, which they support by selecting and building a European reputation. „Go-karting is the first stage of motor racing and it is worth investing money, energy and attention. I hope that we can present this project in Győr as a flagship project at national level, which will be followed by others,” he said.
Vilmos Willisits, head of the UNI Győr WMS team said, „We currently have just over forty competitors and our goal is to increase this number. A larger number can lead to more good and successful drivers. It is important for us to develop mass sport and to appeal to as wide a range of young people as possible.”
Péter Kálmán, member of the board of the Hungarian National Motorsport Association and head of the KMS Europe team, said, „My father taught at this institution until his retirement, I almost grew up here, so for me the cooperation with Széchenyi University was an emotional decision. I will work with my colleagues to pass on this experience and knowledge with all my heart and soul.”
Two talented young go-kart drivers were also introduced at the press conference. Vilmos Willisits Jr., 13, is a member of the Uni Győr WMS team and will compete in the Italian Easykart international series this year, as well as in the three rounds of the FIA Academy competition in France, Sweden and Slovakia. His biggest success came at last year’s Czech Open Championship, where he won. KMS Europe’s Patrik Lipovics, 14, was the 2021 Newcomer of the Year and last year won the national and RMC Hungary championships, while finishing runner-up in the Central European championship. This year he will also compete in the European Championship.
Vilmos Willisits Jr. of Uni Győr WMS and Patrik Lipovics of the KMS Europe team are aiming for victories again this year (Photo: András Adorján)
