How many years racing experience do you have?
16 or 17 years, I've raced gas, electric, on road and offorad.
What is your best racing memory and your funniest memory?
Winning the world championships in Florida in 2003 is my favourite. The funniest memory I can think of is when we went to South Africa for the on road world championships, we were practicing with the cars in a parking lot and my mates car was handling really badly, so we put a bullseye on the wall and he drove at full speed down the parking lot and into the wall, that was pretty funny.
What is your top racing achievement, and what are your future ambitions?
The world championship title in 2003 is my top achievment, I'd like to win a variety of races though that I haven't won before, and be successful at new events.
What is your favourite class to race?
I like off road but touring car seems to be more intriguing, it is competitive but the cars are more precise.
Do you prefer McDonalds or KFC?
McDonalds I guess. Have you tried the Shrimp Burger over here? No, I haven't tried that yet.
How many world championship events have you attended, and which has been your favourite track?
At least 10. There was an 8th scale offroad worlds in Las Vegas and I liked that track, it was big.
What is your favourite thing about Japan?
Their society is a lot different from western culture, they are very family orientated. They have cartoons on everything, it's cute. |
How was your flight here?
It was crappy, I arrived a day late because our plane was burning fuel too fast so we had to stop for an unscheduled re-fuel stop. I slept most of the way though so didn't watch any films.
Are you a professional racer?
I used to be but not any more, I have a full time design job now with Serpent and I don't get paid to race as such.
What tips do you have for racers who are just starting out and want to drive well and race competitively?
Practice. I find that the more I know about the car the less well I do, I end up rationalising the car too much. It helps to know the car but don't overcomplicate it.
Do random people stop you in the street and ask for your autograph?
No, well, maybe once in my life.
In the run up to the Worlds you announced that you're joining the serpent race team as they enter the 10th offroad market. This must be a very exciting venture, what information can you divulge about the impending release of their 4wd car?
Basically they hired Gerd to be part of the R+D team and use his knowledge and experience from the last 5 years to design a new vehicle based on the original concept. It will be a new car but have a similar apppearance to the original Durango.
Who else here is on the Serpent team?
Joern Neumann is the only other driver I know of.
Would you be interested in racing in England at an international event?
Yeah I'd go there if there was one I had time to attend. I went to one a long time ago, it was called the World Cup and was at the top of a hill, somewhere indoors and carpetted out. |