by Russell Atkins
TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW IN FULL: CLICK HERE
David Brabham has enjoyed a highly fruitful career in sportscar racing over the past 17 years, twice triumphing in class in the iconic Le Mans 24 Hours and finishing as overall runner-up in the round-the-clock French classic for Bentley in 2003.
The UK-domiciled Aussie is returning to La Sarthe in June in an effort to defend both his and Aston Martin Racing's hard-fought GT1 class title, and along with team-mates Darren Turner and Antonio Garcia will be behind the wheel of a specially Gulf-liveried DBR9 for the occasion. The 42-year-old told
Crash.net Radio how he is optimistic AMR have more than fighting chance of glory again in 2008…
Q:
David, you've got a long and very successful record in the Le Mans 24 Hours – what is it that motivates you to keep on coming back each year?
David Brabham:
That's an interesting question, and I'm not sure I just have one type of answer for it. It's just the place, I suppose, if I had to give one reason. Every time I think about it, every time I go there to compete, leave the place, go back again – to me it's addictive, and very much a big part of my life in terms of my racing world. It comes round only once a year, but it's such a huge event and I just love competing in it; I have never once lost interest in it, and I'm very much looking forward to going back again.
Q:
Of course you also have lots of special memories of the race. Last year must have been one of the greatest of all, winning the GT1 class with Aston Martin and finishing fifth overall. How tough do you think it will be to repeat that this year?
DB:
Last year was particularly special and emotional for everyone involved. I've been there a lot of times – that was my 14th year – so to not just win, but to win there in an Aston Martin, was pretty special. Our job is probably a little bit harder I think coming into this year's event. We were very well-prepared last year; I think we were better prepared than most. I think the other teams will be better prepared this time – I'm not saying they're going to be better prepared than us, but they're going to be better than they were – and I think the competition will be challenging, but I've got every bit of confidence that we can repeat it.
