As the 2014 British GT Championship nears its conclusion, one man has emerged as the favourite to take the title; and a top-six result for the #79 Ecurie Ecosse BMW Z4 this weekend will almost certainly be enough for his name to be engraved on the trophy. Marco Attard is that man, and DSC caught up with him for a quick chat at Brands Hatch just prior to the race.
DSC first met you in 2004 when you drove a DAMAX Ferrari 360 in the Cup class of the BGT, but you disappeared after 2005 for several years. When did you start racing and why did you then stop so abruptly?
“I started in 1999 in the UK Ferrari Maranello Challenge. I’d been thinking about going racing for some time and just thought I’d get it out of my system with a season in a car I liked. Unfortunately, racing turned out to be like a Class A drug and I found myself unable to stop after that first year!
“I switched to British GT in 2004 for a part season with Nick Adams in a Ferrari 360, where we took two wins, and came back in GT3 in 2005 – again with DAMAX and Nick – for a full season.
“After that I sold my wine business in Calais to Majestic – the market had changed and I had to make sure I could still pay school fees and other bills – but I ended up buying it back again sometime later and now it’s going really well. People think there are no bargains to be had anymore across the Channel, but if anything the bargains are better than they’ve ever been!”
What brought you back to racing?
“I needed to make sure I could still do it before committing to a full season – I didn’t want to turn up and find out that I was way off the pace – so I had a couple of outings in a Vic Lee Lotus and a couple in the Leipert Lamborghini, and I actually surprised myself with my pace.
“I then began talking to Ecurie Ecosse and Barwell about racing the BMW; I liked what I saw and did a deal. We soon discovered that we work well together and I enjoyed last year very much. Olly [Bryant] was a great teammate and I learned a lot from him, but for this year I said to Mark [Lemmer]; ‘Let’s go the whole hog!’
“As I saw it, we had the team and the car but we needed a factory driver, a top Pro; and in Alexander Sims we’ve certainly got that now. That means that the only other variable is me!”
So is this it then? Will you be back next year?
“I honestly don’t know yet. My focus is all about 2014 at the moment; I’ll then sit down and have a think about the future after Donington.”
Why did you choose British GT? Is it somewhere your sponsors want to be?
“Being associated with the series is a very good marketing tool for my sponsors. My main sponsor is Black Bull Whisky and the prestige of the BGT is a good fit for them.
“Bringing customers and guests to the races is a great way to entertain them; some people aren’t particularly into motorsport, of course, but those who are tend to really be into it and have a fantastic time.
“Without sponsorship, there would be fewer cars, there’s no doubt; running the budgets required from your own money would require very deep pockets indeed!”
You’re leading the championship with two races to go and could conceivably take the title today. Has everything gone to plan this season?
“We’ve had a good year so far with only a couple of hiccups. The gearbox went in the first race at Oulton Park, then I mucked it up at Snetterton by going off road while passing a backmarker; and there’ve also been a couple of Safety Car glitches. But otherwise it’s been very positive.”
And what’s the aim for today [Brands Hatch]?
“Points! It’s as simple as that. The title isn’t going to be decided today, but if we can leave here having taken more points than Beechdean then I’ll be very happy!”
As things turned out, there was much to be happy about for Marco Attard at Brands. We’ll find out on Sunday if his happiness continues.
MH
