"I think diversity is a great asset:"
Bobby Sak of American Spirit Racing
By Margot Orenchuk
Photos courtesy IMSA and Margot Orenchuk

VANCOUVER, Canada (January 10, 2004) — Bobby Sak has just completed a phenomenal rookie year racing the #10 Revolution Motorsports Corvette in the Trans Am series. Not a race went by when you couldn’t hear his name mentioned over and over! This young driver is moving on up in the world; next season we will be seeing him drive the Lola B2K-Nissan prototype with co-driver John Olsen in the ALMS series for American Spirit Racing. He began racing in 1992 with karts, and in 1995 started SCCA Club racing driving a ITS Mazda RX-7. He drove that car and a GT-2 Datsun 240Z for the next 2 years. He then began his Spec Racer Ford Club Racing career in 1997, finishing third at the Valvoline Runoffs in 1998. He was named Pro Spec Racer series Most Improved Driver in 1999, voted on by his fellow drivers. 2000 saw him finishing 3^rd in the Pro Spec series with 1 victory, 4 podiums and 8 top 10 finishes. In 2001, he competed in the Speed World Challenge GT series in a corvette. He had the highest finish for a rookie in the season (4^th). 2002 saw him with Turner Motorsport in World Challenge Touring; but oh that year with Trans Am! Bobby actually forgot all about my interview request, but when he remembered, he very quickly got his answers back about his year, and how he will approach his new ride in 2004. 

Margot Orenchuk: Tell us about your new ride. How did it come about? 

Bobby Sak: Jon Lewis and my father were talking and Jon asked if my dad thought I would be interested in driving an LMP2 car in ALMS.  When my dad talked to me I said “of course!”  So we all had a conference call and put the deal together!  It was very easy.   

MO: Describe a typical race day for you. 

BS: Well, it actually starts the day before.  I make sure that I get to the hotel at least 12 hours before I have to get up to go to the track on race day.  Many times we would have a warm up that morning so we’d have to get to the track much earlier than I’d really like.  After the warm up there are typically autograph sessions and sponsor meetings.  I like to take the hour before the race basically to myself.  I tend to stay in the trailer so I can be in the A/C and stay away from everyone.  I like to think about the strategy that I will use at the start of the race and think about who is around me so I can plan on what they’ll do.  I’ll get dressed during that time and then head to the grid! 

MO: What is the worst thing that can happen to you to destroy your focus during a race? 

BS: One of the worst things that can happen is if someone else turns you around.  Sometimes it’s hard to control your aggression right after that happens.  I’ve learned over the years that it pays off to remain calm.  It doesn’t tend to be a problem anymore though.  They have to be able to catch you to turn you!  Another thing that can happen is if you are on the same radio channel as your teammate and he has a problem.  He might start talking to the crew and forget to change channels.  I usually like it quiet on my radio unless there is information I need. 

MO: What is you favorite off-track activity? 

BS: My favorite off-track activity is playing computer games.  I’m playing a game now called Star Wars Galaxies.  It’s an online game and a lot of my crew and friends play.  It is a ton of fun.  I even got my fiancé playing! 

MO: What is the one question you can’t stand being asked by the media?  

BS: It’s not that I can’t stand the question…but I don’t really know the answer….”where do you want to end up in racing?”  meaning what do you ultimately want to drive?  Honestly, I don’t care!  I just want to drive.  I’ve driven a lot of different types of cars and I’ve had a great time in each and every one of them.  I’d like to make driving my living for a long time so I’ll go wherever that takes me! 

MO: What is the strangest thing you have been asked to do by a fan? And did you do it?  

BS: I suppose its not that strange but a few years ago, a woman at Infineon Raceway asked me to autograph her Corvette!  I felt like I was destroying a beautiful car…but that’s what she wanted so I did it! 

MO: Who is your racing hero? 

BS: My father is my racing hero.  He is the reason I love racing.  He is the reason I’m able to race.  He has given me the opportunity to pursue my dream well into my 20’s.  Many people have to give up on their dreams.  I still haven’t had to do that and it is him that made that possible.   

MO: What has been the oddest thought you have had while driving? 

BS: “Man, I should’ve gone to the bathroom before the race.”  Occasionally I’ll catch myself thinking about my fiancé or something else.  But usually it is only when I’m by myself and just in a rhythm.  I quickly stop any thoughts other than what I’m doing. Obviously, it’s pretty important to focus on driving! 

MO: What was the high point of 2003 for you? 

BS: The high point was my first career podium at Lime Rock.  It was raining cats and dogs and the only one that was faster than me was Johnny Miller.  We had everyone else covered, including Pruett.  I have always loved the rain.  That was really my first race in these cars in the rain.  Talk about MODULATE!  The throttle is a cracked egg at that point!  Don’t break it! 

MO: What do you do to stay in shape? 

BS: I have a bowflex in my basement that I work out on at least 3 days a week and I’m starting a jogging/running routine for the other days.  Now that I’ll be endurance racing, my cardio is that much more important. 

MO: What would you say your greatest strength as a driver is? 

BS: I think my greatest strength as a driver is my anticipation.  I feel I am very good at planning my next moves well ahead of time.  Spec Racer taught me that.  If you didn’t plan well ahead, you lost.  It was that simple.  If you lost momentum in those cars, you were a sitting duck.  I think if you were to go back and watch me in the T/A car, you would see that I late apex more than some drivers.  It is all about getting out of the corner.  That gives you the most straightaway speed. 

MO: As you look forward to 2004, what are your personal goals either on or off the track for next year? 

BS: My first goal is to get comfortable in the new car.  I don’t think that’ll take too long.  This will be my 5^th different car in 5 years, so I haven’t gotten used to anything.  That is actually a good thing.  I don’t want to get labeled as only being good in a certain type of car.  I think diversity is a great asset to have. 

MO:  Well, we wish you the best of luck in 2004 and we’ll be cheering you on at Sebring!

 Next week:  Butch Leitzinger and Guy Cosmo!