RFM Front Page News

TORONTO, Canada (January 29, 2004) – Marco Werner was born in Dortmund, Germany in 1966 and began racing in 1984 at the age of 18, winning his first race. From there he went on to successful stints in Formula 3000 and touring and GT racing. Marco’s first experience in an Audi was at Le Mans in 2002, where he continued his winning ways by placing 3rd – and in his rookie year with the American Le Mans in 2003, with Joest Audi, he scored 3 poles, 8 podiums and, after one of the most eventful and uphill races ever run at the Petit Le Mans, the 2003 Driving Championship. What a beginning for his ALMS career! This season he joins J.J. Lehto at Champion Racing, and we eagerly await the chance to bring you more of his milestones and adventures with this exciting team. We talked with Marco recently about his new Audi team, and the 2003 Champion season that he will long remember, and so will we.

Kate Shaw: You certainly had a great first year with Audi Team Joest. What would you consider the highlight of 2003?

Marco Werner: The 12 hour race of Sebring. I mean, that’s one of the biggest races in the world. And to come for the first time and win such a race, that was great and may even turn out to be a highlight in my career.

KS: Did you have any lowlights, or would you rather not think about them?

MW: Yes, there was that “moment” in Road America. I drove a good race, was on pole position, and was the leader in the race and then... By the pit stop the starter wasn’t working. I thought we’d lose the race, the championship, everything ... I was very down. But then, Frank goes on the track again and we finished in the points.

KS: Which track suited the Audi best this year? Why do you think that was?

MW: First let me say that the Audi Infineon R8 is the best and the most perfect race car which I have ever seen. Having said that, I think that the Audi was perfect on the streets of Trois Rivieres and Miami. All the other cars had no chance.

KS: What is your typical routine on race day? Do you have any superstitions?

MW: Most of the time you have different schedules for a race day. Autograph sessions, press meetings, etc., whatever. There is no time for a special routine. Superstitions: I always put on the right race shoe first. Never the left one.

KS: Do you like driving at night? What’s the biggest adjustment you have to make when driving at night?

MW: Yes, I like driving at night and I am very fast, especially at the old long Nürburgring (25 Km in length). I think the most important point is to know the track very very well. You can’t see very well, so than it is important to know what will be coming up after the next blind corner or downhill blind curve.

KS: Have you driven at Le Mans before? What do you think is the best thing about Le Mans (not including the crepes and champagne)?

MW: Yes I drove in 2002 and 2003 in Le Mans for Audi. I finished my first race in Le Mans at the podium in 3rd. Le Mans is one of the biggest motorsport events for me. You have nearly 300.000 spectators and a great history at Le Mans since the 1920s. That all is very amazing! I like the high speed best, when I can drive more than 300 km/h.

KS: What was the funniest thing that happened to you during a race meeting in 2003? Was it funny at the time, or only after you thought about it later?

MW: The whole season was a fun time with JJ and Johnny! I enjoyed the year in the ALMS; I had no special moment which I thought about later as the funniest moment. We always had a good time together and had fun.

KS: What’s the most memorable thing about winning the ALMS championship for you? Did you cheer in the car as you crossed the line?

MW: There was a moment where I came from the press conference and crossed the racetrack, about 11 pm. I stood for a moment at the start and finish straight and thought: Wow, now you are the champion! In my first year driving for Audi, in my first season in the ALMS! Enjoy the moment, as the saying goes. What a great year! I did cheer in the car, yes. I was very proud of myself, because I had some very hard years when I sometimes I thought that my career was finished. (For example, in 1999, when I had no drive.) I am very thankful that Audi and Infineon gave me this chance to be champion.

KS: Is there any kind of racing you would like to try that you have not had a chance to try yet? Motorcycle racing or the Paris-Dakar?

MW: A high formula class... Or I even would like to try a rally car.

KS: What is the one question you hope nobody in the media will ever ask you again?

MW: I don’t know of any. I never had to answer a bad question and if I am asked one in the future, I would not answer it.

KS: Is there anything else you’d like the fans to know about Marco Werner?

MW: I hope that everybody knows my style. “Never give up and try everything to do a good job in a racecar”. I always give everything for a race and I enjoy the speed and the drifts. Racing is my life!

RFM Sports thanks Melissa Grunnah and Marco Werner for their help with this interview and we’ll be cheering for a Champion Championship in 2004!

Next week: Lonnie Pechnik and J.J. Lehto