Samed Halafi, now a 1st-year HAN Automotive Engineering student, is a big fan of motorsport. “Right after getting my ‘havo’ diploma and before studying Automotive Engineering at HAN, I decided to take a gap year. I used that year to focus fully on my passion for motorsport. However, this was a blessing and a curse, as my decision fell just before the corona lockdown started.”

Samed, who lives in Maastricht, thankfully did not let it get him down. “Definitely not! A few months after, I started karting with a good friend of mine (Tim Straub). I learnt a lot from that, quickly mastered the technique and built up fitness. My career really took off at a test session with the T4 Tillotson kart at the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit in my yellow-black Renault Clio Cup outfit!”

We fast-forward to the carnival period of 2022 where he wore that same Renault Clio Cup outfit. “I saw a young guy also wearing a racing suit and we got talking. He told me that he had a Formula Ford car that he occasionally takes to circuits to drive. After a long fun conversation, he told me that he needed a race engineer who could adjust his chassis and give feedback. I grabbed that opportunity right away!”

Since then, Samed has always accompanied him as his race engineer. “A month later, we went to Circuit Zandvoort, which was a super successful day! He complained of oversteering in slow corners and understeering in some braking spots. With my laptop and the software programme AIM, I was able to check where he was on the track and what his speed was. After adjusting his driving style, brake balance and anti-roll bars, we managed to accelerate by more than a second!”

This year, they went to Circuit Zandvoort together again and had another hugely successful day. “He knew how to handle the corners much better and felt more confidence in his car. Overtaking was a breeze and he trusted the car like it was his own body. Together we had laid down the best time of 1:53:757! Am very proud of that!”

Source: Samed Halafi
Photography: Igor Jilesen en Rccn.media