Since we have a week off barring the test day, we are filling up the week with a range of in depth interviews and 'Driver-In-Focus' interviews. For the first of two 'Driver-In-Focus' interviews we have @Mikey24 giving us an insight into his driving, favorite driver's and events as well as his intentions in the ATCC.
1. What drew you to the ATCC?
I was hesitant at first, knowing I had signed up for quite a few series' but I eventually gave up the stubbornness and signed up. It was one of the best decisions I had ever made on GTPlanet.
2. Do you have any real-life racing experience? (I.e; karts, track-days)
Not very much no. I first competed in a small championship at my local kart circuit, of which the circuit manager recommended me to the Northern UK Championships - who in turn offered me a space on the grid after seeing footage of me racing. I competed in the Northern UK Championship for 5 years (2006-2011) and won 3 consecutive titles in the process before getting the paperwork ready to enter the Formula Renault 2.0 UK championship. But unfortunately, it folded and with no other series signed up to and hardly any money left, that series folding effectively ended my chances of being a racing driver.
3. What's your biggest Gran Turismo Racing Achievement?
Biggest Gran Turismo achievement? Well I have two achievements I'm personally quite proud of:
- Doing the full 24H of Le Mans on GT5 from start to finish without a break.
- Winning the GTTCC Endurance Cup - being a lower division driver, too. 👍
4. Which ATCC race are you most looking forward to?
It has passed already, but it was the London & Brands 250. Where I scored a double podium. Also, I really enjoyed ATCC at Suzuka, where I scored my first ATCC win.
5. Which ATCC race are you least looking forward to?
Again, it has passed already. It was the ATCC Bathurst event. That track was just so hectic - over the mountain had a crappy framerate due to the fast transition of images.
6. How do you get prepared for a race, whether in the virtual world or real world?
I don't really have an effective means of preparation. I'll usually just bide my time, set an alarm (for ATCC anyway) and come on about an hour or so before to get used to the track, then try and build upon that and aim for fast laps using the basis of lap times given on the thread.
7. What's your favourite Racing Discipline? (I.e; Open-Wheel, Touring, Endurance)
- Formula 1 (it's going to be quite exciting over the next couple of years).
- WEC
- BTCC
- V8 Supercars (I'm not just saying that because you're Australian #LowndesFTW)
8. Who's your favourite racing driver of all-time?
I have quite a few, surprisingly:
- Kimi Raikkonen (Formula 1)
- Craig Lowndes (V8 Cupercars)
- Colin Turkington (BTCC)
- James Hinchcliffe (IndyCar)
- Jeff Gordon (NASCAR)
9. What would be the biggest racing event in the world, in your opinion?
Three:
- 24 Hours of Le Mans
- Daytona 500
- Indianapolis 500
10. Finally, what are your aspirations for the ATCC?
Well now, as of the penultimate round, I'm incapable of winning the title so I will stick my tip top hopes in beating
@Timlour to second place and prevent a Russian Roulette 1-2.
But realistically, I'm happy with third, but that doesn't mean I won't be fighting.
Fantastic interview there by Mikey, definitely covering all the bases and leaving nothing to ponder about. Now, onto the Group B hard luck story, @Tijee!
Tijee had his start to the season disrupted by personal health issues which ruled him out of most of the rounds in the first half of the season, putting him on the back foot with a lack of track time. Over the past weeks we have seen him improve an improve despite not being able to commit 100% to the series.
1. What drew you to the ATCC?
I used to race in GT3 enduro, and I wanted to build my own Touring Car and drive it in exciting, intense sprint races. I had more interest in the Hyundai or the M4 at first, but then I discovered the Lexus... Very enjoyable!
2. Do you have any real-life racing experience? (I.e; karts, track-days)
I did some karting once and I really enjoyed it! That's all. I'd love to do more, karting, track-days, or even drifting, but unfortunately I miss time and money for that. But I'm still hoping it will be possible one day!
3. What's your biggest Gran Turismo Racing Achievement?
None.
I've completed most of the game but it's more a formality or a hobby to me, not a real achievement. The real racing, the one that matters, is online. And for now I have a few podiums in multi class races or small grids, so nothing impressive. I still don't have any victory that I can remember and be proud of.
4. Which ATCC race are you most looking forward to?
I enjoyed the Nürburgring, and I think I would have enjoyed Silverstone and Bathurst too (though the latter is difficult to master). Unfortunately I could not attend as many races as I expected to...
5. Which ATCC race are you least looking forward to?
Well, there are not many races left now. I feared Suzuka a lot, and Laguna Seca is not one of my favorite tracks. Both have very fast corners with not a lot of room for error, so you have to know them perfectly... or be slow, which is not the point
6. How do you get prepared for a race, whether in the virtual world or real world?
I remember I used to be very anxious before my first online races, I was afraid of the traffic. Now that I have more experience I tend to be more relaxed. Paradoxically I practice much less than before. I just make about a dozen of laps, working on my racing lines and breaking points, until I'm consistent enough. I don't try to find these little tenths, a race is not a TT, I pay more attention to the alternate lines and where I can defend or attack. I also measure my tires and fuel consumption if this is an enduro, and prepare one or two scenarios depending on the other contestants strategy.
7. What's your favourite Racing Discipline? (I.e; Open-Wheel, Touring, Endurance)
I still love GT3 and Super GT, but I find Touring sprints much more intense! I think my favorite series is BTCC.
8. Who's your favourite racing driver of all-time?
Sebastien Loeb, because he's French
. On a serious note, he manages to excel in whatever he does. He was obviously excellent in WRC, and now he's a great competitor in WTCC, and I think he'll still improve until the end of the championship and over the next few years.
9. What would be the biggest racing event in the world, in your opinion?
Les 24H du Mans of course
10. Finally, what are your aspirations for the ATCC?
Unfortunately, not much now... I missed too many races, now I just hope I can make a last race and enjoy it.
Another great interview for us readers to indulge in! Thanks Tijee! We will continue to put out the final few Driver-In-Focus interviews and strive to publish a sit-down interview with the seriea founder himself, @NW48, on all the things ATCC and a bit on who NW48 really is as a person.