Formula Kart Stars ‘Old Boy’ and 2015 commentator Chris McCarthy sat down to talk with Oscar Ruiz De Luzuriaga recently, to learn a bit about the rising star from Singapore and why he will be taking the step up to test himself in FKS next year.
Chris McCarthy: Tell us a bit more about yourself?
Oscar Ruiz De Luzuriaga: I’m 15 years old and was born in Bromley, UK. After two years I moved to Singapore for 5 years, I then moved to America for 3 years before moving back to Singapore.
Chris: Sum up your history in karting so far?
Oscar: I started karting just over two years ago in August 2012. I asked my mum to go to a kart track and she took me to have a go in some fun karts. I found it pretty scary at first but quickly got used to it.
As the Singapore Championship was nearing to a close I decided to wait until the next year to do my first race. So my first season was in 2013, where I competed in the Singapore Karting Championship in Junior Max. In 2014 I did a round of the Rotax Karting Challenge in Malaysia, before competing in two rounds of the Singapore Karting Championship finishing on the podium in both rounds.
Chris: Will this be your first time racing in the UK?
Oscar: No, I did one round of the Super One Series at Larkhall in Junior Max in June 2014. I also tested at PFI the week before the race, which was great.
Chris: How does racing in the UK compare to racing in Singapore?
Oscar: It’s so much different in the UK because there’s a lot more participants than in Singapore.
Chris: When did you first hear about FKS?
Oscar: I heard about it at Super One from my coach Richard Bradley around July time. He told my dad about Mr Ecclestone setting up a Championship, which I thought was cool.
Chris: What were your initial thoughts?
Oscar: I thought it would be a fantastic opportunity and I get to race in Europe, which I love. Formula 1 is backing it which is great and that’s very exciting.
Chris: Do you like the fact it is a level playing field?
Oscar: Yes definitely, that’s one of the main reasons I’ve entered. You have the same karts, same engines, so it just comes down to the drivers. It’s fantastic!
Chris: What do you think of the prizes?
Oscar: I think the prizes are very good. Free entry for juniors and cadets in to the next season for the winners is a great idea and well earned. I think the Super FKS prize is awesome, I think that it will motivate drivers to do their best.
Chris: Do you think this will help you climb the motorsport ladder?
Oscar: Definitely, I think with the Formula 1 backing, it will attract F1 scouts and maybe scouts from GT racing and other endurance championships, which will make drivers think more about what they want to do in the future.
Chris: What are your realistic goals for the season?
Oscar: I want to do well obviously. A realistic goal will be to finish in the top 15, top 10 in every round. I’m just going to do my best throughout the season and give it my all.
Chris: Would you encourage other drivers to enter the championship and why?
Oscar: Yes I would urge drivers to do it, I know kids in Singapore who I would encourage to do it once they’ve got more experience. It’s a great series, which gives you great exposure.
Chris: Will you be living in the UK next year or travelling just for FKS?
Oscar: I’ll be travelling over from Singapore for each round. My school have a limited number of days you can miss and they’re fully supporting me.