"Who let the dog out?"
An interview with Tomas Enge
By Margot Orenchuk
Photos courtesy Kate Shaw and Brent Paterson

VANCOUVER, Canada (January 19, 2004) -- Tomas Enge has been driving fast cars since before he could legally drive on a street. He graduated from Jirí Micánek's racing school when he was 15 years old. He started his first race at the age of 16 in the Ford Fiesta Cup. In 1995 he gained a place in the German Eifelland Formula Ford Racing team, competing in the same series that started the careers of Michael Schumacher and Heinz-Harald Frentzen. In 1996 Enge won the German Formula Ford Championship and the following year competed with the Opel BSR team in the German Formula 3 Championship. In 1999 he made his debut in Sports Cars competing at Sebring and Road Atlanta in a Rafanelli Riley & Scott prototype. 2000 saw Enge break into F1 when he became a test driver for Jordan, 2001 and 2002 was in the F3000 Championship; and 2002 saw his start with Peter Kox and Prodrive Ferrari, winning his first time out at Laguna Seca. Sports cars and Prodrive Ferarri is where he stayed in 2003. Tomas kindly reviewed his year for us and gave us a glimmer of hope that we will get to see this fine young racer again on the grid in Sebring!

Margot Orenchuk: Describe “the bump” in Miami this year. How much of a toll physically did that race take on you?

Tomas Enge: It was definitely the most demanding race of the season. Miami is a street race and Florida is well known for its hot conditions coupled with high humidity. I think that Sebring and Atlanta are similar as far as physical stress is concerned. However, these races last for more than ten hours and Miami race is only three hours but the big (physical) toll plays the nature of the circuit. It is a street circuit and you are busy for the whole lap; there is no place to relax. Actually, it is quite difficult to catch your breath. The circuit is very slow and you do not get too much fresh air into the car.

MO: What was the highlight of 2003 for you?

TE: Le Mans. The 24 hours race belongs to the most legendary races around the world, I would say that it is in the same league as the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix. The atmosphere there is unique and it is a real test of reliability both cars and drivers. The ALMS highlight was Petit Le Mans. It was last race of the season and we won!

MO: What was the “lowlight”?

TE: There were some downsides during the whole season where we were quick; but some circumstances prevented us from a win – Sebring, Trois Riviere, Mosport for example. The biggest disappointment was in Laguna Seca where we won but were disqualified later due to some problems with the airbox even though the team demonstrated that we did not enjoy any advantage during the race.

MO: Do you have any superstitions before race day?

TE: I would not say that I have any before the race day. Actually, there are some superstitions on the race day. I always put on the right shoe first and than the left one, the same applies for the gloves. I like to have everything prepared – suit, gloves, shoes, helmet – so I can fully concentrate on the task ahead.

MO: What has been your favorite track to drive? Why?

TE: There are many :-) Classics Le Mans for sure definitely belongs to my favourites, you easily get over 300 km/h on the streets and it is incomparable experience especially during the night. In addition, the circuit itself is almost 14 km long. As far as the American circuits are concerned I like Atlanta, Laguna Seca – the Corkscrew presents enormous challenge. Both circuits have a good combination of different corners.

MO: What is the worst thing that can happen to you to destroy your focus during a race?

TE: Some technical problem – even a small one. Knowing that the car is not 100% it is always distracting. The other possibilities are problems on the track – when you loose position due to traffic or due some problems in the pits.

MO: What is you favorite off-track activity?

TE: I prefer to stay on track! Otherwise you end in the gravel or wall! J I like many sports. I used to play ice hockey when I was younger and also did ski jumping. My current passion is rallying. I did about eight rallies last year and my first race of this year was also a rally on the snow. It was big fun. Beside this, I like the Internet, chatting with friends.

MO: What is your most secret, guilty pleasure? (that as a racer you should not really do? Like eating cheeseburgers, or drinking too much wine with dinner?)

TE: I don’t have any of those! J

MO: What is the most challenging part of your job?

TE: Be a bit quicker than my quickest rivals are!

MO: What has been the oddest thought you have had when behind the wheel?

TE: I once thought that "I have to take out my dog."

MO: What is the one question you never get asked that you would like to be?

TE: I do not know. I have not thought about it. It is up to you to devise questions :o)) (Thanks Tomas!)

MO: Do you know if you will be going to 24h du Le Mans this year?

TE: There is a possibility but nothing has been signed. We have to wait but I would like to do it again.

MO: Is there any type of racecar you have never driven yet that you have really wanted to?

TE: I have not driven many types of the race cars. I would love to drive a Bentley at Le Mans or other prototype. I also have not tried a race truck or buggy.

MO: What is the scariest memory you have behind the wheel?

TE: I do not remember particular one but it is always the feeling just before a crash – you know that it is going to happen and that you can not do anything against it.

 

MO: What do you think your strongest asset is as a driver that you bring to your team?

TE: My speed and fighting spirit!

MO: What is the strangest thing a fan has asked you to do? Did you do it?

TE: One girl asked me for a signature on her naked chest! I signed, of course J

MO: How would you sum up 2003? Did you accomplish everything you had hoped for?

TE: It is somewhere in the middle. We managed to win Le Mans and Atlanta but we lost Sebring and, unfortunately, also the whole ALMS championship.

MO: Do you have a ride for 2004?

TE: My manager has been negotiating but nothing has not been signed. I hope for more news before the end of January.

MO: As you look forward to 2004, what are your personal goals either on or off of the track?

TE: My goal is simple – to be faster than my competitors and I always want to win every single race. However, it also depends on what I will drive. I want to be better and better all the time.

And Finally:

MO: Have you seen the pictures of Peter Baron and the Goat on the Internet?

TE: What? I have not seen the pictures. I do not have a clue. Anyway, I hope that I will never be in such a picture. I know of better things to have on a picture!

RFM would like to thank Jiri "Bunny" Rozkosny for his assistance in getting this interview in such a timely fashion!

 

 Next week:  Johannes van Overbeek and Peter Kox!