We have met up with Ben Barker who will race the Road To Le Mans at the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 R n°20 of Gulf Racing UK. At the same time he will also participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans also with Gulf Racing in the LMGTE Am class.
Q: Road To Le Mans will be your first Le Mans Cup race, what are your expectations about it?
I have done one race last year in the Mentos Porsche at Paul Riccard, we finished 2nd. So having done one race already I have an idea what the event and race will be like.. Although I haven’t been on track with the LMP3’s but I am sure it will be no issue with the space Le Mans boasts.
Q: You will also race for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and it will be a busy week for you, how will you organize your time between the two paddocks?
Yes, I will need my running shoes on as much as my racing shoes! It will be a big challenge from an endurance aspect. Adapting like a chameleon to a different environment is also another hurdle, but I will know my schedule and running with the same team for Le Mans 24 and the Le Mans Cup race will make it slightly more relaxed as I will be told where to be!
Q: You made your debut in the 24 Hours of Le Mans last year after winning the support race in 2014, What parts of the La Sarthe circuit are the best for you as a driver?
Stereotypically Porsche Curves is my favorite section as for a lot of drivers, but in my 3rd hour of the 24hr race I love the straights!
Q: What is your goal for the two 55-minute races at Le Mans?
For us our goal will be for my co driver (Andrew Baker) to gain as much experience as possible, he is relatively new to European racing and GT3 cars so that’s our main point. We have been working hard with some testing and both feel ready to give it a good crack with no expectations.