BEIJING: A seven-year-old boy, Shao Ziyan (
pic), has become China’s youngest professional rally driver after receiving certification at just five years old.
Hailing from Wenzhou in Zhejiang province, Shao developed an interest in car racing as a toddler and began using a racing simulator at home at the age of one, the
South China Morning Post reported.
His father later upgraded his training with a go-kart and eventually a fuel-powered vehicle when he found the electric version too slow.
By the age of four, Shao had already ranked 30th globally in a racing simulation game and soon began driving real rally cars, including training on icy tracks for extended periods.
At five, he obtained official certification from China’s motorsport authority, marking his entry into professional racing.
His father invested heavily in his journey, modifying a second-hand Suzuki Swift for over 200,000 yuan, with total costs reportedly exceeding 800,000 yuan including transport and upgrades.
Despite concerns, his father said all activities are legal, as the car is transported and not driven on public roads.
Now also a social media influencer with over a million followers, Shao recently won a national rally race, with observers calling him a rising talent. His father expressed hope that he could one day become China’s first world rally champion.
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