GP4 2005 - Post-league interview with Laurent Keersmaekers

On the brink of the new season, the LFRS Times asked last season's winners what it was like, and more! Here is the story of Class C Drivers Champion Laurent Keersmaekers.

Q - Hello, Laurent, congratulations! You became LFRS 2005/2006 Class C Champion and Class C Fastlap Champion! Tell us about your feelings!

Laurent: It feels great to have become the champion in this competitive league! In the beginning I knew it would become very difficult to win the championship, but I made it!!

Q - What can you say about the whole 2005 season? Was it interesting for you, how do you estimate the organization level of the Championship?

Laurent: Some drivers made me really push. This was very good for me, cause I learned a lot and became faster. I learned most of the tracks in GP4 here, and how to go towards the limit of the car. Also I learned to make setups on the new tracks.
About the organization: it was all very well done. I had no major problems during the championship.

Q - Do you remember your races? What of them were the most successful, what unlucky? What moments can you remember?

Laurent: One of my best races was for sure the Monaco event. This event is always difficult for each driver. I began the weekend with a nice pole position. It was the first time I drove under 1.13 on this track!

Laurent's wheel shows the pole lap in Monaco

Also the rain race went very good. I wasn't the fastest driver out there, but by far the most consistent driver. The 2nd thing made me win the race with a large lead!

The worst race must be the Jerez race! I had no time to train for the rainy conditions, and I messed it all up! I lost over a minute in a 35% race!

Q - And what about your dialogues with your opponents and team mates? Did you communicate with other pilots much or not?

Laurent: I spoke a lot with my team mates, which is normal I believe. I also spoke with some opponents like Jorge or Lars. And of course I also spoke to other drivers of other classes!

Q - Tell us about the team where you were driving this season. Was it a real team where pilots make setups and race strategy together, or was everybody working only for himself?

Laurent: We always tried to make our setups as a team. We were never alone to make a setup or a strategy. This resulted in a very good championship for whole the team! I'm really proud of Twister!

Q - Now I'd like to ask you about your plans for the next LFRS season. Are you going to take part there? What, do you think, can be added there as new features or something else? How do you see next season?

Laurent: I don't know what I'll do. I've been driving in LFRS, GPC and F1VWC this year. Maybe it's better to take some rest in the off season. Of course no decision has been made yet, my plans can change!

Q - I'm sure, many pilots would like to know about your non-sim-racing life. What do you do in your real life, what are your hobbies?

Laurent: The most of my time, I spend to the study I'm doing. Now I will start my 2nd year of engineering. I also do a lot of sport in my free time: wall Climbing, football and karting. For the rest of my time I go out with friends, or drive GP4.

Q - Do you know any of your sim-racing opponents in real life? What do you think about idea of LFRS Megameeting, where all pilots from different countries may come? Will you come, if such a meeting will be planned?

Laurent: I only met Ersin Pinar in real life so far. Next year I'll go to Spain to meet some other drivers aswell! An LFRS meeting sounds great. For me it only depends at what time of the year it will be hold, and the location. But the idea sounds great!

Q - Many people are excited with the question of real racing and sim-racing uniting. What do you think, can sim-racers be strong in real racing? Do you think if it would be great if real team bosses were interested in virtual drivers?

Laurent: Some drivers tell that the only difference is the car feeling like G-forces. If this is true, it can be true that sim-racers will do well in real racing.
Of course it would be great if team bosses were interested!! This would be a great chance to go to any motor sport competition without spending a lot of money!

Q - Do you like real racing? What competitions do you watch by television? Who are your idols? Do you like to visit racing events?

Laurent: Of course I like racing… Otherwise I wouldn't drive GP4 I think!
I follow F1, DTM, GP2, CART, MotoGP, 250cc, 125cc and motocross.
My idol will ever be Mika Häkkinen. He was the first driver I really followed during his racing career.

Visiting race events is always something special. The atmosphere is great, but there is 1 disadvantage. On television you can follow the race by 100%. You get times and standings. In real life you're lost after some laps!!

Q - Let's get back to sim-racing world. Do you play some other simulators except for Grand Prix 4? What simulators do you prefer?

Laurent: I've driven all the GPx games and grandprix legends. All the games are very good, but I prefer GP4 and GPL!

Q - Finally, what forecasts can you make for next LFRS season? What pilots will be strongest there, or in other championships?

Laurent: To be honest, I don't know which drivers will be present next year. Much drivers are leaving GP4 for RFactor or Netkar Pro. It's a bit early to say who'll be strong!

Thank you for your answers! I hope to see you here next season, when such press-conferences will be more regular! Good luck!