Last time we met Billy Karam was just after the rally of Lebanon in September where he told Shadia Bseiso that he is preparing
another Guinness surprise for the Lebanese people. The subject was not quite surprising literally but it was a big accomplishment for Lebanon. Billy is now the man with the biggest number of models around the world (27777 Pieces) and the man with highest number of Diaoramas (333 Pieces).
Yesterday was Guinness day of records around the day and Lebanon saw the declaration of the 2 new Lebanese records, in the presence of a representative of the president and many other celebrities. After the announcement we met Billy briefly and talked about his accomplishment.
Billy, since we were kids we got used to your accomplishments in the rallies and hill climbs, how does this new accomplishment feel compared with old ones, especially that this one has an international recognition?
Well if we are talking about personal pleasure it has to be the rallying and competition, but the Guinness book records gave a lot of international fame and it is also an honorable accomplishment for my country. Anyway I moved from rallying to this and it’s a bug hobby now.
You are still participating in RallyCross races abroad, are there still any pressure and are you still get the same pleasure from racing?
Well there is no big pressure outside because I cannot win championships anymore. The only pressure is to compete with the big champions that are racing alongside. The nice thing is that there is no danger and you can push to the limit on ice for example in RallyCross races. The pleasure is great and it still feels amazing to race. I am making the best out of it since this thing you can’t do in Lebanon.
We are standing ahead a stand were there are models for you and the cars you drove in your career, and next to them there are stands for great champions like Senna and Schumacker. How much pleasure does it have to work and display these items to the people?
We work and display those big champions first of all, and then we display the things related to us. Such great drivers are people we look up at and we desire to emulate and what we can do to enjoy we proceed and do.
Passion lies in every single piece, how much do you think that this hobby is taking you away from your work?
Work comes first of course and this is only a hobby. All the work int his hobby is done in the afternoon and at night and in the weekends. This is the work of 15 years of collection, and I try to take bits and pieces of time to do the work. My three kids are abroad now so I have the time to enjoy the hobby.
In the museum here we can spot the famous Lancia Delta HF Integral Hill Climb car, can you promise us a near local Hill Climb participation?
In Lebanon it will be difficult at this time. I am only concentrating in races abroad. I am the vice president in ATCL and working to support the sport in Lebanon.
What can you tell us about the project for a Lebanese racing track?
This is a big dream we are working on and let’s hope we can do it.
