Eliška Bábíčková: Breaking Barriers in Karting

At just 18 years old, Eliška Bábíčková from the Czech Republic is already making waves in the world of karting. But her journey didn’t start with a love for the sport—it began with a father’s passion and an unexpected return that changed everything.

“My dad’s employee had a son who started racing, and he took my dad to the track. My dad absolutely fell in love with it. Until I was about 9, I didn’t have much say in what I wanted to do; I just had to follow what my dad told me,” Eliška shares candidly. Initially, she wasn’t thrilled with karting, and when given the chance, she stepped away from it. However, the sport’s pull was too strong to resist, and at 13, she found herself back on the track with a newfound passion.

Unlike many racers who have role models they idolise, Eliška approaches the sport differently. “I don’t really have any role models in racing. There are definitely people I respect, but I don’t necessarily look up to anyone. I don’t want a career in racing, and that might be why.”

Despite this, Eliška has made her mark on the track. Recently, she placed 3rd in the prestigious BNL Rotax Championship, securing her a spot in the Rotax Grand Finals—one of the most important events in karting. “It was a great achievement, but other results mean more to me,” she says, humbly. Among her most cherished victories are winning the X30 Iame Games in 2022, becoming the first woman to claim that title, and her triumph in the 2023 Italian Championship in the OK category, where she made history as the first female champion.

Despite her success, Eliška stands apart from many in the motorsports world: she doesn’t dream of making it her career. “I don’t want a career in racing,” she admits, a statement that might seem surprising given her impressive achievements. Her racing journey is driven by love and enjoyment of the sport itself, not by a desire to make it her profession. This mindset, rare among competitive racers, sets her apart. Eliška’s passion is genuine—she’s racing not to climb the career ladder but because she’s found something she loves doing for its own sake.

Competing at such a high level requires immense mental strength, but for Eliška, staying focused is second nature. “I’ve been doing karting for so long that I’ve gotten used to the pressure. I don’t really have to try to stay focused—it just happens.” Her understanding of the sport’s demands, both financially and physically, drives her to remain composed, knowing that “lashing out mentally” would be disrespectful to the hard work and dedication that goes into every race.

Navigating a male-dominated sport comes with its own set of challenges. “Female drivers are definitely less respected by male drivers on track,” she admits, recounting how many times she’s heard the phrase, “You got beaten by a girl.” But Eliška remains unfazed, choosing to focus on what truly matters—her goals. “We could cry about not being as respected or the lack of female representation, but that’s not what the sport is about. We need to work hard for our dreams.”

When it comes to advice for young girls aspiring to enter motorsports, Eliška doesn’t sugarcoat the realities. “It’s great if girls want to do it, but they need to improve their skills. Right now, in my opinion, there isn’t a single female driver who could get into F1.” She emphasizes the need for women to train twice as hard as men, given the physical differences between the genders. But her message remains clear: “Don’t look at motorsport through pink glasses and think it’s a land of endless possibilities. You’ll have to deal with hardships, and although now there are many sponsors helping women, at the end many might not find it worth that”.

Though Eliška has already made many of her racing dreams come true, she’s not looking to pursue a full-time career in the sport. “I did some test days in F4, which gave me insight into formula racing, but I didn’t like it.” Instead, her long-term goals involve focusing on academics and starting successful businesses with her sisters, Tereza and Petra. Outside of karting, she enjoys participating in other sports on an amateur level and envisions a future filled with family and entrepreneurial success.