RFM Front Page News

TORONTO, Canada (December 28, 2003) -- Marc Lieb began racing in karts at the age of 5, but it was four years later, at the mature age of 9, when he entered his first club race in Stuttgart. From that day to this, Marc has not known a slow mile! After five years in Formula Renault, he was about to drop out of racing due to lack of funding, when Porsche invited him to their Junior Competition – three days of testing involving everything from English proficiency to mental testing (which no doubt fitted him for teaming up with Peter Baron at Orbit Racing!) and of course reconfirming their impression of his driving skills – and he was in. He completed his three years of Carrera Cup with the 2002 championship, and moved into the ALMS (with a side of the Rolex 24 Hours, where he took pole, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where the team came second in class) to join the Merry Men of Orbit Racing. Everyone at Orbit Racing has high praise for him, both for his driving excellence and for his upbeat, can-do attitude; and since he comes from a long line of goalkeepers, no doubt he will be of great assistance in the annual Drivers v. All Others football game that is played out at the Petit Le Mans! We are still waiting to hear where Marc will land for 2004 (that is up to Porsche), but meanwhile he gave RFM some of his thoughts about the 2003 season and the ALMS series, as well as sports car racing in North America.

Kate Shaw: If you were choosing an event from your 2003 season for the "ALMS Highlight Reel” of 2003, what would you choose?

Marc Lieb: Mosport. It was the first time for me on the podium in the ALMS, and probably one of the best stints I've ever done in a GT3 RS. It was a good run and also the performance of the whole team was great. It was a really good race.

KS: Orbit Racing is well known for the drivers’ sense of fun. Did the Orbit Racing team play any jokes on you during the year? Did you play any on them?

ML: If you drive with Peter Baron, this question is unnecessary! There are so many jokes, it's amazing. If I started with one, it would end up crazy.

KS: If Dr. Panoz told you tomorrow “You can take any car in the ALMS”, which car would you most like to drive?

ML: Bad question for a factory driver! If I wasn't a Porsche factory driver, Bentley. It's a really good-looking car, a car everybody wants to drive, from the big class. It looks really sexy, a really nice sport prototype. The performance in 2003 was unbelievable.

KS: What was the funniest thing that happened to you in 2003? Was it funny when it happened, or only later?

ML: Too many to tell ...

KS: Of all the tracks you have driven on, which is the one you like best and why?

ML: I really enjoyed driving at Mosport. It's very challenging, a lot of unknown, fast corners, going over hills, a lot of driving with feeling. It's a wonderful track, I really love it. It's exciting to drive there, every lap it's like, Wow! That's cool!

KS: Is there any form of racing that you have not tried yet, that you would like to try? For example, would you like to drive in the Paris-Dakar Rally?

ML: I would like to drive in a championship run of the world rally championship because they are cool cars and the challenge would be a really great experience."

KS: What’s the strangest thing you have ever though about while driving in an endurance race?

ML: How the hell can you drive a double-stint when it's 100 degrees Fahrenheit out there? How is it possible?

KS: With a racing background in both North America and Europe, do you think the fans in Europe are significantly different in their approach to sports car drivers from the fans in North America? If yes, what are the main differences?

ML: Yes, there's a big difference. There are not many sports-car fans in Europe any more; the whole thing is Formula One. We have pure sports-car fans, you can see that always at Le Mans because Le Mans is a fascinating race, but that is the only highlight in Europe right now. In America, there are so many fans. I really enjoy racing in America because the fans are so great. They're so relaxed taking time to come up to us. It's also a good thing that the paddock is open because I really enjoy hanging out with the fans, it's great. In Europe, there is more the trend to close the paddocks and I don't think it's the right way."

KS: What is the one question you hope nobody will ever ask you again?

ML: "Are you and Peter Baron a couple?"

KS: What would you really like to be asked that the media never asks you?

ML: "How is it possible to drive with Peter Baron?"

KS: What are your personal goals for 2004, on or off the track?

ML: On the track, to fight for the championship in the ALMS. And just to stay healthy and have a good 2004.

KS: What do you think the motto “For the Fans” really means?

ML: I think the ALMS is doing a lot for the fans and they should keep doing that. It's great because the paddock is open for everybody, we have the driver autographs, they have a great package for the fans in ALMS. I wouldn't change anything.

KS: We are looking forward to great driving and merriment from you in 2004. See you on the grid at Sebring!

Next week: David Brabham and Mike Rockenfeller!