Silverstone preview
Le Mans Series 2009
Charles Zwolsman is prepared for the 1000KM of Silverstone
Starting the 11th of September
“I want to step onto the podium.”
Final race of the Le Mans Series 2009 will be held at the Silverstone circuit in England. De circuit has a length of 5.141 meters, has 14 corners of which 6 left and 8 right handers. This famous English circuit was build in 1950 en situated 32km northeast of Oxford.
Especially the first couple of corners are great.
It will be the first time Charles Zwolsman will drive the Silverstone circuit. Have you had time to study the circuit and what do you think about it? “I only know the circuit from computer games. I hope it is as much fun to drive for real as it is in the games. I did many laps on the computer to prepare myself. Especially the first couple of corners are great!” Can you adapt quickly to a circuit you have never been to? “That shouldn’t be a problem. Usually in free practice I take a couple of laps to absorb everything. This year the Algarve circuit was new to me as well but I was quickly up to speed.”
We want something to show for.
Is the whole Kolles team extra motivated for this last race? “Definitely. We really want something to show for.” I get the impression you are enjoying yourself at the Kolles team. “Although we didn’t do a lot of races this year you do get to know everyone. Also the respect grows mutually because of the performances that are given. With a lot of good people in the team it is easy to feel at home and have fun.” People always like to know what your prognoses is for the next race. Can you give us one for Silverstone? “Of course. I want to step onto the podium. I’ve said the same for our previous race and we were really close. Hopefully this time it works out!”
I feel great.
During qualifying lap times are always compared. Do you also compare your own times with the other teams? “Yes we do. On most circuits come qualifying we are not ultra competitive. Our car is more geared towards the race.” You are a fitness devotee, have you been doing extra workouts for this last race? “Not extra. But I have been training hard. It’s very important to be fit.” So you are in top condition? “I feel great. That will not be the problem this weekend.” Combine this with the race pace and reliability of the Audi R10 and it has to be an exiting race? “It will be exciting for sure. I would say about 10 LMP1 cars are competitive. So if you have the opportunity, go watch the race!”
I get focused and all tension is gone.
I assume you have radio contact with your team during the race. Are you in nay way distracted by this? “No, contact is only there when necessary and when you need information. To me it is more a tool then a distraction. Sometimes you need to drive tactically, especially with these long races. Extra info is really helpful when you want to do this.” Are you ever tense before the race? “Just before doing a start I always get some sort of butterflies in the stomach. As soon as the lights go green I get focused and all tension is gone.”
Driving in the rain would be no problem.
How about the people close to you, do they have tension before the race? “My mom doesn’t even come to the races. It’s a bit too exciting for her. She is one of my biggest supporters though.” It rains a lot in England, would that be a problem for you? “No, I’ve always enjoyed driving in the rain and I think I’ll be able to do a good job. But to be honest for everyone it is of course much nicer if it is a nice sunny weekend.” The car has a lot of power is there much difference driving it in the rain? “There is indeed. You really need to be careful with the power and the brakes.” Do you guys have a reserve car? “No, we need to make sure the car stays in one piece.”
Source: Charles Zwolsman Racing Media Services
Website: www.charleszwolsman.com
Image credit: Milo Kol / Planetlemans
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