If you don’t know her name yet, Tereza Bábíčková wrote her way into the history books of karting when she physically outperformed a star-studded, talented field of Senior class drivers at the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals in Bahrain last December. The 18-year-old Czech lady took her first race win there to set a new record for any female driver at the prestigious event that spans 21 seasons, then followed up by winning the pre-final and final on track by a clear margin. Her outstanding effort was unfortunately tainted by a post-race technical penalty [still in question]. But she remains a star!
The reaction to Tereza’s amazing achievement and overwhelming support that she received, as the momentum of what unfolded built-up over the week in Sakhir, only confirmed that she had captured everyone’s attention. It was sensational; her calmness and self-confidence, her assertiveness and almost relentless approach not only demanded respect, it was necessary, competing against drivers with such a level of experience. It was the former FIA OK World Champion Callum Bradshaw who started on grid 2 beside Tereza in the final, later admitting there was only one chance to beat her… at the start. She was focused, but what happened led to a controversial outcome between friends and racing rivals. Regardless of this, she was one of 13 girls out of 378 entries – and she was winning.
Tereza lives in a small city called Vracov in the Czech Republic. Her sporting career began at three doing gymnastics and at just six years of age, she sat in a go-kart for the first time. She recalls it clearly, “My first go didn’t end up well. It was a small track, but I got scared and crashed into the barriers at full speed. When I competed in gymnastics on a really high level, we would go karting every Sunday so it was only a hobby for me. We started racing and I tried to do both sports at once, until 2014 when we decided it was not possible.” Tereza was Czech Champion in E60 and E100, plus 3rd place in both the Easy Kart Italian Championship in E60 and E100 in the International Easykart Final. At the end of 2016, she stopped karting to concentrate on her studies where she is enrolled at one of the most distinguished Czech grammar schools, located in Central Bohemia. “After a while, I was missing racing more and more, that’s why I started again in the summer of 2018 with Austrian team Speedworld Academy, managed by Michael Fiedler, in the Rotax class,” she says. “In 2019, I finished 3rd in the Central Eastern European Championship (CEE) in Senior MAX. I also won the Rotax Czech and Slovakian Championship twice and was Czech RMC champion in 2020.”
The reaction to Tereza’s amazing achievement and overwhelming support that she received, as the momentum of what unfolded built-up over the week in Sakhir, only confirmed that she had captured everyone’s attention. It was sensational; her calmness and self-confidence, her assertiveness and almost relentless approach not only demanded respect, it was necessary, competing against drivers with such a level of experience. It was the former FIA OK World Champion Callum Bradshaw who started on grid 2 beside Tereza in the final, later admitting there was only one chance to beat her… at the start. She was focused, but what happened led to a controversial outcome between friends and racing rivals. Regardless of this, she was one of 13 girls out of 378 entries – and she was winning.
Tereza lives in a small city called Vracov in the Czech Republic. Her sporting career began at three doing gymnastics and at just six years of age, she sat in a go-kart for the first time. She recalls it clearly, “My first go didn’t end up well. It was a small track, but I got scared and crashed into the barriers at full speed. When I competed in gymnastics on a really high level, we would go karting every Sunday so it was only a hobby for me. We started racing and I tried to do both sports at once, until 2014 when we decided it was not possible.” Tereza was Czech Champion in E60 and E100, plus 3rd place in both the Easy Kart Italian Championship in E60 and E100 in the International Easykart Final. At the end of 2016, she stopped karting to concentrate on her studies where she is enrolled at one of the most distinguished Czech grammar schools, located in Central Bohemia. “After a while, I was missing racing more and more, that’s why I started again in the summer of 2018 with Austrian team Speedworld Academy, managed by Michael Fiedler, in the Rotax class,” she says. “In 2019, I finished 3rd in the Central Eastern European Championship (CEE) in Senior MAX. I also won the Rotax Czech and Slovakian Championship twice and was Czech RMC champion in 2020.”
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There was a change to a British team early in 2020 for Tereza and her sister Eliška, and based on this experience their parents made the decision together with their children to start their own team. TEPZ Racing Team is made up from the first letter of each: Tereza, Eliška, Petra and Zdeněk, all of whom qualified for the RMCGF 2021. The success of TEPZ continues to reflect the effort they put in, as Tereza explains, “We’ve done a lot with our team, with some good results. Last year’s highlights include the IAME Euro Series in Genk beating two former FIA World Champions to win the pre-final and 3rd at the ROK Cup Superfinal. A big achievement for me was the Rotax Grand Finals in Bahrain, where I led at the flag with quite a big gap, but ended up classified 4th in the results after penalties. Unfortunately, this race isn’t over yet and will be decided by the court in Bahrain now.”
This story is far from over too, as is often the case for many drivers who are successful and impress at international level, opening new doors for them to progress in their racing careers. Tereza gave us more insight into the demanding life she leads as she pursues her dreams and goals further this year.
How often are you in the kart?
My program in 2021 was extremely busy with the X30 IAME Euro Series, a few rounds of X30 Italian Championship, International World Final in Adria, the I-games Portimao and some races in the OK category. There was the Rotax Czech and Slovakian Championship where I drove both the DD2 and Rotax Senior categories to win my ticket for the Grand Finals. If you include testing for each race and so on, I’m in the kart very often. Even though I don’t have much free time, I’m grateful to have this opportunity and can work hard towards my goals.
With your ticket to Bahrain, what were your expectations?
I raced at the Grand Finals in Sarno 2019 and enjoyed it so much because you meet with the best drivers from all over the world in your class and the equipment is so even, it really comes down to the driver! It was going quite well too, unfortunately, it all ended overtaking for P6 in the final. This was also the reason why, when I qualified to go, I was thinking we could be really good. On the other hand, the starting grid this year was definitely really hard, filled with former Grand Finals champions and other well-known names in karting, so I knew it was going to be really difficult to be at the top. Seeing the race was in mid-December, we had enough time and therefore a great opportunity to practice on the Sodi chassis using the D5 tyres beforehand, which definitely helped my confidence.
What was your impression of the event?
At the beginning, I thought considering the Covid situation it would be really complicated. Obviously it wasn’t going to be the same and we expected that, but we could see everything was working absolutely perfect and there were no problems. The organisation handled it as well as they could. With four of us [in our family] in three categories, we were at the track all day and there was only time left for dinner really, which most nights we spent with the team as we all enjoy each other’s company. I think it was generally nice for everyone to get out of the cold weather in Europe and be in Bahrain, and enjoy the atmosphere of this event. Everyone just had a good time. It’s definitely one of the best tracks I’ve ever raced at and it was a positive experience for me.
Did you have the chance to meet some of the other girls?
Besides my sisters in the DD2, I saw quite a few in Seniors and also younger drivers as well. I think it’s amazing that more and more girls are getting into this world of racing and proving that we can do it the same as boys, if not better. Afterwards, I got loads of support and this was great, but I was honestly so happy to see so many girls competing there.
Tell us about your week racing in Sakhir?
First of all, most are competitors I race against in other classes so I knew exactly what to expect and how to race against them. We had seven practices until the quali, most of them were decent and like everyone, we were trying to find the best setup. Which I think we found, proving it in quali where we ended up P2 in our group and P4 overall. For me personally, the first heat was the hardest and we managed to finish 2nd which I was really happy with because it was mentally and physically a very difficult race. Apart from that, it also reassured us that we have a competitive pace and that the setup was really good. That showed in the following heats and the pre-final where I won with not too many difficulties. That put me on the front row to start for the final. I dropped down to 3rd place after the start and in the next few opening laps, I managed to go back to P1 and pull a gap. I crossed the finish line in 1st (4th after penalties), with a few challenges.
With a former FIA Karting Champion alongside you on the front row, what was going through your mind in the final?
This position wasn’t new for me as we started from the front row together in one of the heats. That race ended up in my favour and for that reason, I was very confident going into the final. Before it, I wasn’t nervous at all. I had quite a clear plan of how I was going to start. Because of [Callum] Bradshaw’s manoeuvre my original plan didn’t work out, but I was happy I stayed on the track… and to be on P3 after it. I stayed calm and overtook the two in front of me in the first few laps. From lap 4, I was just focusing on my own driving and I managed to build a gap to take the chequered flag as top finisher. Going into the week, I didn’t expect this at all!
Now you have had time to reflect on what happened, how do you feel?
Well, I’m very happy with the results and it is above our expectations, no matter if I finish 1st or 4th. I have received an immense amount of support and congratulations, for which I’m very grateful. I would also like to say that I’m very happy for what we achieved as a team and that everyone’s hard work paid off. This is why I’d like to thank the entire TEPZ Racing Team!
You have been working with former Rotax European champ and Dutch 'KNAF' driver coach Mats van den Brand since 2018, who is now TEPZ Racing Team manager. What impact has this had?
I met Mats through my former team’s manager, Michael Fiedler, and we arranged testing at ‘Home of Champions’ Karting Genk. At that time, Mats used to drive on track with me, teaching me the lines and how to be more competitive, and I have to say first time meeting him was a nightmare. He was telling me about how I was hold the steering wheel, which as a driver that wasn’t bad at that time and had some results already, it really p’d me off. Nevertheless, it didn’t work; I still hold it the same ‘til this day. After training a few times, we found a way to work together well and became great friends. He started bringing more experienced drivers to practice with me, such as Sandro Lukovic, Richard Verschoor, Martijn van Leeuwen and Senna van Walstijn. These people taught me how to improve my racecraft, which was one of the most important things and it shows today.
How is it having Danny Kierle as your team coach?
After establishing TEPZ Racing Team in 2020, Danny, a former FIA World Karting Champion, joined the team as a driver coach and he brought his brother Ben, who is my mechanic. They are both essential for the team to work. Next to Mats, both of the Keirle brothers had a big impact on my karting growth and success as well. Apart, from working together in karting we became friends and it’s always good to have them around!
Who’s had the biggest influence?
Throughout the years it was our parents, especially my father, always pushes things to the extreme and that’s what makes us grow in our racing career. He is very successful himself, so he knows what it takes to achieve your goals and he is one of our biggest inspirations as well. My father always wants the same for all his children so my siblings didn’t really have a choice with karting, and at the end of the day, we all love it and we’re happy he keeps pushing us to our limits. What we also enjoy about karting is that we’re all together as a family and we spend so much time together. If we weren’t racing it wouldn’t ever be possible. We’re all so close and I think it’s really nice.
With this said, I’d like to thank to everyone who had impact on my racing career from a young age and weren’t mentioned here, even though they were essential for my karting growth!
How does your program look for 2022 and beyond?
My main goal is to successfully finish my studies and graduate, which is a priority for my family, aiming to continue my education in London for a future business career. So I’m more careful about planning this year’s season, not quite sure which series and races I will do, but I’d like to be racing. On top of this, we’re always looking for the best opportunities… so let’s see what this year brings.
What’s behind your motivation?
My mental approach has definitely changed this year a lot. I’ve matured and I realised with hard work you can achieve anything you want… even if it sounds like a cliché.
This story is far from over too, as is often the case for many drivers who are successful and impress at international level, opening new doors for them to progress in their racing careers. Tereza gave us more insight into the demanding life she leads as she pursues her dreams and goals further this year.
How often are you in the kart?
My program in 2021 was extremely busy with the X30 IAME Euro Series, a few rounds of X30 Italian Championship, International World Final in Adria, the I-games Portimao and some races in the OK category. There was the Rotax Czech and Slovakian Championship where I drove both the DD2 and Rotax Senior categories to win my ticket for the Grand Finals. If you include testing for each race and so on, I’m in the kart very often. Even though I don’t have much free time, I’m grateful to have this opportunity and can work hard towards my goals.
With your ticket to Bahrain, what were your expectations?
I raced at the Grand Finals in Sarno 2019 and enjoyed it so much because you meet with the best drivers from all over the world in your class and the equipment is so even, it really comes down to the driver! It was going quite well too, unfortunately, it all ended overtaking for P6 in the final. This was also the reason why, when I qualified to go, I was thinking we could be really good. On the other hand, the starting grid this year was definitely really hard, filled with former Grand Finals champions and other well-known names in karting, so I knew it was going to be really difficult to be at the top. Seeing the race was in mid-December, we had enough time and therefore a great opportunity to practice on the Sodi chassis using the D5 tyres beforehand, which definitely helped my confidence.
What was your impression of the event?
At the beginning, I thought considering the Covid situation it would be really complicated. Obviously it wasn’t going to be the same and we expected that, but we could see everything was working absolutely perfect and there were no problems. The organisation handled it as well as they could. With four of us [in our family] in three categories, we were at the track all day and there was only time left for dinner really, which most nights we spent with the team as we all enjoy each other’s company. I think it was generally nice for everyone to get out of the cold weather in Europe and be in Bahrain, and enjoy the atmosphere of this event. Everyone just had a good time. It’s definitely one of the best tracks I’ve ever raced at and it was a positive experience for me.
Did you have the chance to meet some of the other girls?
Besides my sisters in the DD2, I saw quite a few in Seniors and also younger drivers as well. I think it’s amazing that more and more girls are getting into this world of racing and proving that we can do it the same as boys, if not better. Afterwards, I got loads of support and this was great, but I was honestly so happy to see so many girls competing there.
Tell us about your week racing in Sakhir?
First of all, most are competitors I race against in other classes so I knew exactly what to expect and how to race against them. We had seven practices until the quali, most of them were decent and like everyone, we were trying to find the best setup. Which I think we found, proving it in quali where we ended up P2 in our group and P4 overall. For me personally, the first heat was the hardest and we managed to finish 2nd which I was really happy with because it was mentally and physically a very difficult race. Apart from that, it also reassured us that we have a competitive pace and that the setup was really good. That showed in the following heats and the pre-final where I won with not too many difficulties. That put me on the front row to start for the final. I dropped down to 3rd place after the start and in the next few opening laps, I managed to go back to P1 and pull a gap. I crossed the finish line in 1st (4th after penalties), with a few challenges.
With a former FIA Karting Champion alongside you on the front row, what was going through your mind in the final?
This position wasn’t new for me as we started from the front row together in one of the heats. That race ended up in my favour and for that reason, I was very confident going into the final. Before it, I wasn’t nervous at all. I had quite a clear plan of how I was going to start. Because of [Callum] Bradshaw’s manoeuvre my original plan didn’t work out, but I was happy I stayed on the track… and to be on P3 after it. I stayed calm and overtook the two in front of me in the first few laps. From lap 4, I was just focusing on my own driving and I managed to build a gap to take the chequered flag as top finisher. Going into the week, I didn’t expect this at all!
Now you have had time to reflect on what happened, how do you feel?
Well, I’m very happy with the results and it is above our expectations, no matter if I finish 1st or 4th. I have received an immense amount of support and congratulations, for which I’m very grateful. I would also like to say that I’m very happy for what we achieved as a team and that everyone’s hard work paid off. This is why I’d like to thank the entire TEPZ Racing Team!
You have been working with former Rotax European champ and Dutch 'KNAF' driver coach Mats van den Brand since 2018, who is now TEPZ Racing Team manager. What impact has this had?
I met Mats through my former team’s manager, Michael Fiedler, and we arranged testing at ‘Home of Champions’ Karting Genk. At that time, Mats used to drive on track with me, teaching me the lines and how to be more competitive, and I have to say first time meeting him was a nightmare. He was telling me about how I was hold the steering wheel, which as a driver that wasn’t bad at that time and had some results already, it really p’d me off. Nevertheless, it didn’t work; I still hold it the same ‘til this day. After training a few times, we found a way to work together well and became great friends. He started bringing more experienced drivers to practice with me, such as Sandro Lukovic, Richard Verschoor, Martijn van Leeuwen and Senna van Walstijn. These people taught me how to improve my racecraft, which was one of the most important things and it shows today.
How is it having Danny Kierle as your team coach?
After establishing TEPZ Racing Team in 2020, Danny, a former FIA World Karting Champion, joined the team as a driver coach and he brought his brother Ben, who is my mechanic. They are both essential for the team to work. Next to Mats, both of the Keirle brothers had a big impact on my karting growth and success as well. Apart, from working together in karting we became friends and it’s always good to have them around!
Who’s had the biggest influence?
Throughout the years it was our parents, especially my father, always pushes things to the extreme and that’s what makes us grow in our racing career. He is very successful himself, so he knows what it takes to achieve your goals and he is one of our biggest inspirations as well. My father always wants the same for all his children so my siblings didn’t really have a choice with karting, and at the end of the day, we all love it and we’re happy he keeps pushing us to our limits. What we also enjoy about karting is that we’re all together as a family and we spend so much time together. If we weren’t racing it wouldn’t ever be possible. We’re all so close and I think it’s really nice.
With this said, I’d like to thank to everyone who had impact on my racing career from a young age and weren’t mentioned here, even though they were essential for my karting growth!
How does your program look for 2022 and beyond?
My main goal is to successfully finish my studies and graduate, which is a priority for my family, aiming to continue my education in London for a future business career. So I’m more careful about planning this year’s season, not quite sure which series and races I will do, but I’d like to be racing. On top of this, we’re always looking for the best opportunities… so let’s see what this year brings.
What’s behind your motivation?
My mental approach has definitely changed this year a lot. I’ve matured and I realised with hard work you can achieve anything you want… even if it sounds like a cliché.
