Objective: Le Mans
Sascha Maassen of Petersen Motorsports/White Lightning Racing
By Margot Orenchuk
Photos courtesy Margot Orenchuk

MONT TREMBLANT, Canada (May 22, 2004) – Although Sascha Maassen was not with the Petersen Motorsports/White Lightning Racing team at the Le Mans Pre-Qualifying in April (he had obligations at the Rennsport Porsche Reunion in Florida that weekend), anyone who knows sports car racing knows that the team can have full confidence in him; the minute he gets behind the wheel, he will be ready to go. Maassen is a veteran Le Mans driver, and maybe better than that, a veteran Porsche driver. There’s not much left for him to learn about the car he will be helping to push toward Victory Lane in June. RFM presents the second in a series of preview interviews with the three drivers who will be shepherding the “Ho Car” in 2004.

Margot Orenchuk: Sascha, How many times have you driven at Le Mans?

Sascha Maassen: Let’s see, 2003 I won, 2002 I came in 2nd, 2001 was the prototype, and I have done 4 races. 2004 will be the 5th race.

MO: Have you driven every time as a Factory Porsche driver?

SM: For Porsche? 3 times as a factory driver. And this year of course.

MO: This is your second time driving with Petersen Motorsports/White Lighting Racing; and you are coming in defending your win last year. Are you concerned that you haven’t had a moment’s time driving with this set of teammates before the race weekend?

SM: No. We are professionals. I will see them at the driver changes (during the race) hopefully, and I know Patrick and Jörg, so it’s no problem.

MO: What is it about the Factory Porsche drivers that allows you to work so seamlessly together? Is it you, or is it the car?

SM: No, we all have experience with that car, so the car is not a secret, and we can rely on the fact the other guy is doing the same job that we are doing. Now, if we had somebody else that is not doing the same job, then you are worried. When you are a Factory Porsche driver, you should be able to drive a Porsche. So we can trust each other that the other guy can do the job as well; it’s always very relaxing to know the other guy is doing his job as well.

MO: But when you are in the car, it seems to be the car that always wins. Are you considered the senior driver?

SM: They try to push me into that role, but I don’t see that, because I have the same obligations as the other drivers; maybe Patrick has the advantage there as he is the junior driver; he has no pressure at all – just do whatever he wants to do and don’t wreck the car! And me as a senior driver, if there was an issue I definitely would, like I do always, look after that issue, but it’s not a big problem. I hope. We are 3 drivers that split the race time in 3; we win as a team.

MO: What is the key to winning this race? The driver key?

SM: We hope that the Porsche will be the quickest, but this is I think that this at the moment looks good; and it’s an endurance race. You have to stay on the road. Don’t come to the pits and have problems.

MO: But what about Patrick? He hasn’t had that much experience in 24-hour races or driving at night.

SM: I trust Patrick, I think he is a very clever guy; he was quick in testing already. It’s not important to be a half a second or a second quicker, it’s important to be consistent, don’t hit flats spots, don’t do this and don’t do that, and finish the race.

MO: Is there a part of this track that you find particularly challenging? Do you enjoy driving this track?

SM: Yes! The boring thing about it is I hope I can get away from the track when I’m not driving. Apart from that if you are racing it’s interesting because it’s a 24-hour race. And with a 24-hour race there are so many things going on, I like it.

MO: Tell me how you mentally and physically prepare yourself to go into a 24-hour race. Do you stock up on sleep? Do you diet? Eat special? Exercise differently?

SM: No. I race ever weekend, it’s like going to work every morning. You get a little bit more excited because people make a big fuss about it.

MO: Do you sleep during the race?

SM: Of course! When I am finished with my job, I ask people “Is there anything else”, and then I go to sleep.

MO: Where do I have to follow you to take pictures of you sleeping?

SM: NO WAY. Privacy, please.

RFM will be carrying in-depth coverage of the entire Petersen Motorsport/White Lightning Racing Team, including the drivers, during the 2004 edition of the 24 Hours du Mans. Check back frequently for the latest on the team.