“It holds the car together, and it can save them the race.”
SAC Motorsport
by Margot Orenchuk

LA SARTHE, France (June 11, 2004) -- As I was heading down to Petersen/White Lightning to do more work, I was accosted by a friendly man that was working on the “Ho Car” windscreen. He cheerfully informed me that they were the “protection guys”. Sam Cleps and Tomas Wassinger will be preparing our car and 12 others for the first time ever at Le Mans with a factory laminated tear-off system that is a band new technology – never used at the track before. Listen in as Sam tells us all about this intriguing new system.

Margot Orenchuk: So, how long have you been in this business?

Sam Cleps: 2 years!

MO: Is this the most advanced technology?

SC: We have unequivocally the most advanced, best protection film. We started into racing with the FIA GT, which have the 2 Ferrarri’s that won the championship. The protection does one of 2 things; it protects the paint, and if there is contact, it holds the car together, and it can save them the race. They don’t have to stop in the pits because they are not loosing the bodywork.

MO: So, did Petersen’s contact you, or did you contact them?

SC: No, this is our first year at Le Mans. We are involved with all the people that build the pits and such, so they directed us to Petersen’s. We only have a limited amount of time and can do only a certain amount of vehicles.

MO: So basically, do you believe you will be one of the edges to helping this team win on Sunday?

SC: Oh, we have the paint protection film, and the transparencies; and we are the only people in Europe that have the capabilities to put in on, in the pits, in under 8, 9 hours.

MO: How did you get involved in this?

SC: I had a Porsche, and I loved the product so much, I bought the company!

MO: You must be very pleased that you have been asked to help the GT team that won here last year!

SC: I hope so much that this team wins. They are really the nicest guys, the most relaxed I’ve ever seen.

MO: Indeed, you won’t get any argument from me. So, tell me how long it takes you to protect the car?

SC: To put a screen on it takes about 25 minutes; to do the entire car takes about 3 hours.

MO: How long before the race do you actually do it?

SC: Ideally, we do it weeks before!

To learn more about this new technology, go to www.sacmotorsprt.com, and we thank Sam and Thomas for showing us all about this fascinating new development in motor sport safety!