Interviews

Planetlemans talks To Gregor Fisken

© Planetlemans - Gabriel Portos

Overcast skies over the Nürburgring, a cup of black tea and the Larbre hospitality facility are the right setting for a chat with Gregor Fisken. Already a familiar face in Endurance racing, Gregor moved this year from prototypes to GTs where he is finding a very different challenge. But of course, we are also talking about a top historic automobile dealer, undoubtedly a fascinating combination of activities: drive a fast lap around Spa one day, find a Ferrari 250 GTO in perfect state the following…

© Gregor Fisken

PLM- Gregor, some of the drivers tell us they disconnect completely from the Mo-Fri activity while at the circuit, is this your case?

GF- Work never stops when you are in touch with the very top end world collectors. In fact, I fell more like a fine art dealer than a car dealer. We have customers everywhere, the US, Japan, everywhere. There’s no more time zones for me. And the summer months are particularly busy since we do all historic meetings: the 1000 Miglia, Goodwood, Monterey, Pebble Beach…

PLM- But you still work from your headquarters, right?

GF- Correct, our showroom is in South Kensington, London. The UK has a huge advantage in terms of knowledge and resources for the historic automobile activity. Basically all you need is there in terms of know-how so it is certainly the place to be.

PLM- So when did you get into top level racing?

GF- Well, I was pretty late into motor racing. As I attended more and more historical events this started creating real friendships with top collectors and drivers, think of Emmanuele Pirro, Sam Hancock… and their question was usually "why don’t you race?" I was told that if I could drive a GTO or an E-Type fast then I would do much better on a modern car with all the grip and downforce.

© Planetlemans - Gabriel Portos

PLM- So, what was your first step?

GF- A Courage LMP2 with Sam Hancock, then the jump to the works Courage in LMP1 last year. We were always running well in top positions, speed was there but the car was not reliable enough so we always retired. I also did two races on the Jota Zytek.

PLM- And the move to GT?

GF- I was not thinking about GTs, I looked for a prototype for 2007 but I could not find the right opportunity in the right team. Then I tested for Larbre, it went really well and the deal was made. I actually never thought I could drive for a top professional team like Larbre, I was very happy.

PLM- What do you think of the car?

GF- The GT1s are probably the most difficult cars to drive in the Le Mans Series. A prototype is also tough but you have much more downforce so the GT1 is more challenging in that sense. In Monza we had an unfortunate race and I did not get to drive, I did in Valencia and it was very difficult, lots of traffic, some grip issues but we finished the race.
PLM- And in Le Mans?

GF- Le Mans was actually the place where everything connected and we had a much better race. I have to tell you, the Aston Martin is simply phenomenal and to come here to the Nürburgring is really good for me: I know the track, I know the car, I am on the pace, this is a great feeling!

PLM- So you feel more comfortable now than a couple of months ago?

GF- The team has evolved the car so it’s a lot better now, they have done a great job.

PLM- So what’s your possibilities this year? A podium?

GF- It’s the first season for Gregory (Franchi) and me in GT1. Steve (Zacchia) is very experienced so a podium is a possibility. But GT1 this year is extremely competitive; you need to have no mechanical problems and no driver error to be there. The Saleen is also very strong but as for ourselves after Le Mans we feel very good about this race.

PLM- So what’s in it for you then as a driver? What is your goal?

GF- Just to drive this fantastic car is a major result for me, also because I am in one of the best GT teams in the world. So if you ask me, the result is already there. I want to do good races, drive competitively, deliver a top car to my team mates. In Le Mans we were doing really good until we hit mechanical issues, we were seventh in class and top GT1 privateer at that point.

PLM- Gregor, last question: How difficult is to stay away from work with Classic Endurance in the same paddock?

GF- I always visit the CER paddock. I always loved the historical car business because of the sociable aspect it has. There’s always a smile, people are always having a good time. I do restrict the time however, one or two hours only. The day is very busy when you are in top racing; we start early in the morning and go till very late, you need 100% focus in this discipline.

A big challenge, a suitable combination, a busy job when even you need to analyze your sector times. In a few years a DBR9 might make its way into the South Kensington showroom as a classic, I am sure Gregor will be proud to see his own name in the "driven by" section.

Thanks to Gregor and Andy for their time

gabriel@planetlemans.com