Interview with the 2007 Champions, Richard Lietz and Joel Camathias Madrid
Richard Lietz and Joel Camathias are the winners of the second edition of the International GT Open. The “alpine” pair (Richard is Austrian, from Ybbsitz, and Joel is Swiss, from the Italian-speaking Canton Ticino) has achieved a faultless season and conquered four victories in 13 races to give the Porsche 997 and Autorlando Sport their first crown in the series. Both are young (Richard is 24 and Joel 26) but already have a long career under their belt, both share a similar family background, with fathers or uncles having also been drivers in the past, and both have been single-seater drivers before finding their way in GT racing. Lietz has started with karts, before racing in F.BMW and F.3 (Austrian and Central European Champion in 2002). Since 2004 he has been a regular competitor in different Porsche Cups, never forgetting his passion for rallying. He now enjoys the status of Porsche works driver and this year, besides the GT Open, he has also won the GT2 category at the 24 hours of Le Mans. Camathias also started racing with karts, then competed in F.3, F.Nissan, F.3000 and ChampCar. Since 2004 he is a regular GT and endurance contender and the GT Open’s is his second major international title in two years, after clinching the GT2 LMS crown in 2006, already at the wheel of an Autorlando Porsche.
Time has come for a chat with the two heroes of 2007. What is your evaluation of this 2007 season? Richard Lietz: “I am delighted with the result and with winning my first international title. It was a tough season, because there was a very strong competition from the Ferraris, I am surprised they did not help each other more than they did, but that was good enough for us. We never had a problem or an accident and if I am not mistaken, we scored points in every race. That did not make things easier, because we had high handicaps throughout the entire season, but we made it!” Joel Camathias: “It couldn’t be more positive. It’s an accomplishment I will cherish for ever. It is true that we were under some pressure, there were high expectations from Autorlando and Porsche, but we made it. It was not easy, the level was very high and we faced the competition of many Ferraris, but we fought a good and clean battle throughout the season and eventually we won.”What was the key of your success? Richard Lietz: “It was the hard and good work of everyone in the team and our consistency in performance. I think Joel and myself did a good job as well, and then, of course, you have the car. The 997 GT2 is a wonderful machine and thanks to Autorlando we could exploit its full potential. We were also quite successful in finding the ideal set-up for the Dunlop tyres. We may not have been the fastest in qualifying, but in race conditions we were really good”.
Joel Camathias: “Results speak for themselves: we won four races, took many heavy points and never had a retirement or an accident. The secret of the success was the strength of the team, which really worked like a group, everybody performing perfectly in his role. The way emotions ran after the chequered flag went down in the final race in Barcelona proves how everyone in the team was committed to victory. Of course, Richard did an incredible work, he is a super-driver and a wonderful guy, but I am very happy about what I could contribute as well”. What is your impression about the GT Open? Richard Lietz: “I was very happy racing in the GT Open this year. There is a friendly atmosphere and there is close racing, which is what I like”. Joel Camathias: “I really enjoyed it very much. It is an interesting series, which is growing constantly, in a very pleasant and fair-play atmosphere, and GT Sport is doing a very good job. The format of the races is original, mixing endurance and sprint racing. The time handicap system is good, same thing for everybody, and makes races very competitive. When you have a high handicap, you really have to race 101% to compensate it!”
What does this title mean for you personally and for the future of your career? Richard Lietz: “This was the first year I had the status of factory driver with porsche and I hope they were happy with my results, in the GT Open and in endurance races. My future, of course, will depend on Porsche’s programmes and decisions, but I really see myself continuing in GT and endurance racing, I really like the team work that is behind this kind of motor sports”. Joel Camathias: “After winning the GT2 title in the Le Mans Series last year, it is just wonderful to win another major international championship. I really think I have found my place in GT racing and I love this kind of cars. I am still young, I have proven to be a consistent driver and I know what I can do and what I cannot, so I will be happy to continue racing with GTs, in a top team, where I can still learn and progress”.
One thing that stroke many people was the height difference between the two of you, with Richard being at an average 182 cm but Joel ‘culminating’ at 193 cm! Wasn’t this a problem for finding the ideal driving position? Richard Lietz: “Not really. When you have been a rally driver, you are used to going fast in any seating position!” Joel Camathias: “It was ok, handicap stops were long enough to make the necessary adjustment!for sure, being tall is not an advantage when you are a racing drive. My father always tried to make a tennis player out of me, but he hasn’t succeded yet!” Well done, guys, and hope to see you in the GT Open in 2008!
