GP4 2005 - Post-league interview with Vincent 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 D Fastlap Champion Vincent Keersmaekers.

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

Vincent: Hi Roman. Of course it feels great to win a championship. I don't think i have to explain this to you ;-)
I also know i won the champ because of luck. But it doesn't make the victory less sweet!!

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?

Vincent: I think the level was really high this year. A managed to have a good season allthough i lost my motivation sometimes =/ This resulted in some bad races. I hope to find back my motivation next season!!

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

Vincent: The race I enjoyed the most was Spa-Francorchamps. Not because it is my hometrack but because i was very competitive on this track!

The close finish in Spa

My most unlucky race... France. My car felt very bad and i lost at least 40 seconds during the race. As it was the second race of the season my champion aims were already frosen.

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

Vincent: I communicate a lot with other pilots. I think it gives a good atmosphere in the paddock. Off course i not always agree with my opponents but i think that's normal.
With my teammates i always had good talks! Very professional guys.

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?

Vincent: I drove for the Twister Racing Team which is one of the most professional teams i know. We made setups by our own and shared them on the forum so we could test each others setups.
We had a good coorporation!

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?

Vincent: It is 80% I'll drive another season of LFRS. Maybe we should try some new circuits who are not on the real F1 calender... Why don't we drive Pasagrada or something like that? ;-)

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?

Vincent: In real life i'm a student. I'm learning for being a teacher (Maths, Physics and Geography) in Antwerp.
My hobbies are Karting, Snooker, Soccer and have fun with my friends and girlfriend.

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?

Vincent: I know my borther Laurent and i met Ersin Pinar in Germany once :-) For the rest i don't know other pilots in real life.
It would be great if there was a meeting planned and if it was not too far i'll be present!

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?

Vincent: I think simracers are great real racers as well! All people i know who are driving simracing games are very good real racers. Ersin Pinar was really strong and my brothers also are not too slow ehehe (read: megafast :-D)

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

Vincent: I watch F1 and DTM. Sometimes i also wath the CART-series on Eurosport.
So i like real racing very much!

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?

Vincent: No... i only play GP4 because it is the only game that works well on keys. I'm afraid that is why I don't drive other sims...

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

Vincent: We will see that :-)

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