Ewa Banach: A Polish Karting Sensation

In karting, where most drivers start as young children, Ewa Banach stands out as a rising star who defied convention. Starting her journey at 13, the Polish driver has quickly carved out a name for herself, proving that passion and determination can triumph over time and experience.

Ewa’s journey to racing began in an unconventional way. As a young girl, her love for motorsport was sparked by watching Formula 1 with her father. “When I was about five years old, I started watching Formula 1 with my dad” she recalls. “I thought to myself, ‘Oh, that seems fun. Maybe I can do it one day.’”

However, her first attempt at karting was met with discouragement. “When I was seven or eight, we went to a karting track, and I was told I couldn’t do it because it wasn’t for women,” Ewa shares. “I was a kid, so I believed them. That experience made me leave motorsport behind for years.” It wasn’t until the summer of 2021 that Ewa rediscovered her passion. “I started watching Formula 1 more often again, and I remembered karting” she says. “I decided to visit a track in Warsaw with my dad. When I finished my first session on track, I knew this was it. I wanted to do it.”

Despite starting later than most, Ewa has embraced the challenge with determination. “I know I started late, but I didn’t have the opportunity earlier. It’s hard to race against competitors who have been driving since they were kids, but I just keep going” she says, her determination and passion evident.

Ewa’s rapid progress in karting is a testament to her natural talent and hard work. She spent two years mastering rental karting, where she quickly became one of the top drivers, achieving six wins in that time. “It was something special for me, those wins showed me that I was getting faster, and it gave me the confidence to move to professional racing.”

Since transitioning to competitive karting, Ewa has had several standout moments. One particularly memorable race took place in challenging, damp track conditions. “I was starting P11 because of a penalty, but after two corners, I was already up to P4.”  “Unfortunately, I was hit by another driver and had to recover again. I still finished P8, but it was a tough race.”

Another highlight was the 2024 ROK Series World Finals, where she competed in the new SVR category. Facing 28 international drivers, Ewa delivered an impressive performance. “One race was completely wet—there was practically a river on the track” she explains. “But in one of the dry races, I started P28 due to penalties and made up 13 positions to finish P15. I didn’t even realize how fast I was until the race ended. My parents were so proud, and I was shocked!” And of course, in her most recent season of the ROK ladies’ cup, she achieved the amazing feat of becoming II Vice Champion.

Ewa’s journey hasn’t been without its obstacles, both as a female driver and as someone who started later than her peers. “There were times when male competitors couldn’t handle losing to me”, a story female competitors know all too well.  “One guy, who was usually faster, got really angry when I won. He started shouting that I couldn’t brake, and his behaviour completely changed. It was difficult to deal with, but I stayed focused.”

Thankfully, Ewa found support in her team. “The team I race with, Birel Art Poland, is very female-friendly and has had many female drivers before me” she explains. “I didn’t face significant difficulties from them but dealing with angry competitors has been a challenge.”

Ewa acknowledges the uphill battle of entering the sport as a teenager. “Most drivers my age are racing in formulas or at much higher levels” she says. “It’s hard because I’m competing against people with so much more experience, but I focus on improving with every race.”

As a high school student, Ewa juggles the demands of racing with academics and personal life. “It’s really difficult to manage everything” she admits. “My school is supportive as long as I do well in my work, but it’s a tight schedule. Sometimes I’m home after 10 p.m. from training and have to wake up early for school the next day.” Despite the challenges, Ewa remains optimistic. “It’s all about planning and getting used to the routine” she says. “It’s tough, but it’s manageable with discipline.”

Ewa’s goals for the future are flexible, reflecting her open-minded approach to opportunities. “I’d love to try single-seaters, but I know it will be hard” she says. “My plan is to stay open to any chances that come my way. If there’s an opportunity to compete at a higher level, I’ll take it.”

Her advice for young girls interested in racing is simple but powerful: “Don’t give up,” she says. “There will be people who try to put you down, saying it’s not a sport for women. But when you’re driving, it doesn’t matter if you’re male or female—you’re a competitor. If you have a dream, chase it.”

Ewa Banach’s story is a testament to resilience and determination. As she continues to rise in the world of karting, she inspires others to pursue their passions fearlessly, proving that it’s never too late to start chasing your dreams.