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GTPlanet interviews GT ACADEMY 2011 champions Jann Mardenborough & Bryan Heitkotter
Britcar's "Into The Night Race" at Brands Hatch - November 19th 2011
Following in the footsteps of GT Academy champions Lucas Ordoñez and Jordan Tresson, European GT Academy 2011 winner Jann Mardenborough and his US counterpart champion Bryan Heitkotter would conclude their intense driver development programme at the Britcar "Into The Night" 3-hour endurance race around Brands Hatch circuit. This race would signify the last segment of the pair's development campaign and their last competitive race before the GT Academy 2011 grand prize, the chance to compete at the prestigious Dubai 24 hour race.
Already looking the part of professional racing drivers, Jann and Bryan were kind enough to sit down for a chat with GTPlanet on Saturday 19th November, just after qualifying 14th on the grid for that evening's race.
Nissan 370Z GT4 on the grid at Brands Hatch Britcar "Into the Night"
How much did the New York Marathon take out of you, and how do you think it will help you for Dubai?
Jann Mardenborough: It didnt take too much out of me, its helped me tremendously with my fitness and my pain threshold, so I know Dubai is never going to be as tough as that marathon, because it was just insanely hard. The hardest thing Ive ever done. I dont ever want to experience pain like that again, Im sure of it! (laughs)
Bryan Heitkotter: The New York Marathon, it was a big test. The first half of the marathon was alright actually but then it just got harder and harder. It was quite painful, but its good to know I can push through and finish something like that. Its a big challenge, and its not something thats my favourite thing to do, so for racing if things are not going well and Im getting tired or sore, in a racecar its something I love to do so its gonna be easier to keep pressing on and doing the best I can in the car.
The driver development programme has undoubtedly been essential for your race preparation, but how deep have you had to dig inside yourself to make the most of the driver development programme?
JM: The driver development programme was all about me taking in as much information as I can from anyone, because theyve got more experience than me. My mentors, even people at the track who have some track knowledge and have been there more times than anyone else in our team. So I just take it all in and listen, just one word of advice, listen. The programme has been fantastic, weve had a lot of hours in the Group N and GT4 cars and its all just preparing us for Dubai. Its just been fantastic.
BH: The driver development programme definitely pushes you, its a very thorough and condensed programme so were constantly either racing or go-karting or doing fitness, or any number of things with the media. Ive been put in situations Ive never been put in before in my life, so with any kind of new experience youre always learning and growing a lot, both as a driver and a person. Its been very positive.
What has been the most surprising aspect of the racing youve been doing?
JM: I would say the welcoming of other drivers, I would have thought theyd be more like Hes a gamer, hes not going to be very good but because Lucas and Jordan have been racing the same events as we have, theyve come to know that the winners that GT Academy select are good drivers. We get quite a lot of respect and people do come up to as saying they remember Lucas and Jordan. The other surprising thing was when we had our first race at Pembrey, I really wasnt nervous at all, about having other cars around me and not being too intimidated.
BH: Like Jann said, the respect weve gotten from other drivers has surprised me as well. I was also expecting other people to say were just gamers and we dont really know how to drive. A lot of the people I talk to are actually really interested in the programme and how we got to where we are now. I would say the other thing that has surprised me is how much support we have and how thorough it all is. They think of everything with this programme, its probably the best driver development programme in the world that Im aware of.
Have you spent much time in the simulator on the Dubai track?
JM: Yeah weve trained on I-Zone simulators at Silverstone. If Gran Turismo had the Dubai track Id be constantly on that at home. Weve had a few sessions at the Dubai track and it looks fantastic, the first section looks really quick and technical. The last sector has a lot of undulation which I didnt really expect for the Dubai track somewhere out in the desert. With the amount of cars participating, its going to be a great event.
BH: Jann and I both did the simulator sessions together, watching each other and alternating back and forth. It was interesting because I would do something and Jann would pick up on that and either start taking that line or using that gear, and I would see things that he was doing better and start using that. We were both pushing each other forward. We have another simulator session scheduled in a couple of days where well be back at Dubai again, so by the time we arrive at the real Dubai Autodrome, I think well be up to speed very quickly.
Standard issue GT Academy champion gear
Now that youre GT Academy champions, and youre experiencing the whole thing from the inside, what advice would you give to someone who is currently where you were 1 year ago?
JM: My advice would be dont give up! When I entered GT Academy Time Trial, I did it for a laugh to see where I would place. Just stick at it, train as hard as you can physically, really work hard on your running because GT Academy week is tough. Learn all the tracks on GT5 and as many car and track combinations as possible.
BH: Its something you really have to pour your heart and soul into, it is very intense, it can be very emotional at times. Its a really tough programme but I think thats good because by the time you get down to the final few people you have a lot of really strong drivers to choose from. Just stay as focused as possible, learn from everything that you can. It has to be your passion, or youre not going to put everything you have into it.
How well did Gran Turismo 5 prepare you for the challenges of driving a real car fast?
JM: A great deal. At the national finals we had some gaming on Gran Turismo 5 and then went straight into a 330 BHP Nissan 370Z, and I was amazed by the end of it how natural it felt and when the car got into an oversteer situation (which Id never experienced leading up to that), and I was able to control it with throttle and steering input. So, Gran Turismo has shown its one of the best simulators out there and it can help your driving in real life situations.
BH: For me, beyond the basic things like line and how to drive the car, it develops muscle memory for understeer and oversteer situations. With the force feedback wheel you can actually feel whats going on with the front of the car. The other thing is focus, if you do a longer online race with other people, you really have to maintain your focus at a very high level for a long time. A lapse in concentration can send you off the track or into a wall. At the national finals in Florida, I wasnt always the quickest driver but I tended to make the fewest mistakes and I think thats why I came out on the top to go to Silverstone.
Where do you see yourself in 3 years time?
JM: I cant say exactly what Ill be doing as its all up to Nissan, but I would like to see myself racing competitively in a Nissan, having my own trophy room at home (laughs)! My dream from a young age has been to be a racing driver, and thats what I plan to do as a career.
BH: Id like to be doing some kind of major international series, I dont know what exactly. Id like to continue racing and hopefully in 3 years have the respect of my peers in whatever series Ill be racing in, really establish myself as a professional driver. Like Jann said, we dont really know whats on the cards with Nissan, Im sure their plans are open for discussion at this time. Were looking to build a relationship with Nissan to take us to new heights.
How helpful has it been to spend time with Jordan Tresson and Lucas Ordoñez?
JM: A great deal, Lucas especially has given me a lot of advice leading up to race weekends. I remember asking him online for any tips about Castle Combe, and he gave me quite a lot of advice on lines and gear selection early on in the driver development programme. Bryan and I have done quite a lot of events with Lucas and Jordan including the New York Marathon obviously, theyre great guys. Recently we went down to a bobsleigh training facility in Bath and we did some filming which was a huge laugh.
BH: Its been really good to talk to them, especially with the way Lucas has done so well for himself. He was the first GT Academy winner and has sort of legitimised the programme. Without his success, maybe the programme wouldnt have continued long enough for Jann and myself to go racing, so we owe a lot to Lucas and Jordan. It is kind of a special bond we have, as theres only four of us that have been through this together and come out as winners.
How different will your approach be to the Dubai 24 hour compared to your race here today or the races during your development programme?
JM: Its going to be the same, I have a pre-driving routine and leading up to an event we have simulator and training sessions, and for Dubai well have a bit more training in a heat chamber in order to help us acclimatise to the weather when we go out there. When we get to the track, Ill go through my routine which I do at every race weekend, every test session, every time Im in the car. Just making sure Ive done everything I can, so that all I have left to do is drive the car on the track.
BH: I think the main difference for me is that well have more time to prepare for the Dubai race. Weve been racing quite frequently during the summer and the fall, and Im going home for six weeks before Dubai so Ill have plenty of time to do fitness training, watch laps on YouTube and just really get into the whole thing, get myself mentally prepared for it.
Bryan and Jann discussing strategy before the race
Has it been beneficial for you to grow and develop alongside each other?
JM: Yeah, definitely. Were both competitive guys as weve both played Gran Turismo 5 online and we dont want to lose! (Both laugh) With regards to say simulator work, as Bryan said, if one of us is slightly quicker at the beginning of a session then well learn from each other and its the same at a race weekend. We complement each other quite well, people have said we have quite a different driving style which is a good thing as we can learn from each other, especially here at Brands Hatch as theres some different lines you can take into corners. Were not malicious in our competitiveness (both laugh). Were teammates, we want to help each other and the team to win races. We bounce off each other quite a lot...
Hopefully not physically...
JM: (both laugh) No no no, not physically!
BH: Yeah, exactly what he said.
What has been the single most thrilling experience of this journey so far?
BH: I can answer that one, it was winning at Silverstone. It was my first race ever, it was at Silverstone, I won the race and it changed my life completely. It was the best moment ever.
JM: I think both of us qualified on pole for our race, both of us made a mistake and lost the lead, then got the lead back and won at the Academy. That has been the ultimate, but theres been a lot of ultimates. Getting in that GT4 car every race, almost every weekend, is just fantastic. As soon as Im in the car Im in my own zone, where Im comfortable and its where I thrive, and Im just happy. I love it.
How have you found the technical side of motor sport, setting the car up etc?
JM: That has been an area where I want to improve, Ive been asking a lot of questions towards Bryan and the team. I want to learn a lot more with regards to car setup, Ive been reading a lot of books like Michael Krumms book. That has helped me leading up to this race at Brands Hatch and for Dubai, so Im going to continue to do that over the 6 weeks Im off between now and Dubai.
BH: Its something I want to learn more about as well. I have a little bit of experience with car setup, Autocrossing in the US with stock class cars which are limited to stock springs, which are very soft so we didnt have room in the options for tuning cars. It was basically shocks, front sway bar and tyre pressures. Now we have a lot more tools at our disposal in the GT racing car, so theres a lot more for me to pick up on and learn. I have to take myself back and think about whats the best way to change the car if its doing something, and the team is really good with that as well when we give them feedback. Its a continual learning process.
Jann and Bryan both appeared relaxed during the race build-up
With the races youve done, have you always had Dubai in the back of your mind, or do you not think about that?
JM: I would say in endurance events that is in the back of my mind, because in those kinds of races Im trying to gain as much experience as possible. In endurance races I tend to think about the long term more than anything. If a cars behaving in a certain way at the start of a race with a high fuel load or grippy tyres, I have to think about what the cars going to do later on in the stint when the tyres have started to wear away and the fuel loads low. Its always a compromise so Im trying to gain as much experience as I can in those kinds of races. In the sprint races the goal is basically to go as fast as you can in a short race and not think as much about being mechanically sympathetic to the car.
BH: I think about Dubai in-between race weekends and I relate that race weekend to what to expect in Dubai. Leading up to and during a race weekend Ive been focusing on that weekend exclusively, but then afterwards Ill usually do some video review. We have in-car video so Ill look at that and Ill be thinking about Dubai when doing that.
If you were to go onto Gran Turismo 5 now and practise, what combo and settings would you pick that would be the most relevant and useful to you in your continual development?
JM: I would pick Nürburgring Nordschleife or Spa Francorchamps, using the GT Academy Nissan 370Z Tuned on Racing Hard tyres with all driving aids off apart from ABS at 1. I think my aim would be to do say 50 laps and I would want all the laps to be within 2 seconds. Weve done quite a lot of that in simulator sessions at Silverstone. With regards to Dubai we have to run consistent lap times during our stints with no lapses in concentration at all. Traffic management is also important so I could do an online session at Nürburgring with 16 cars on track, and try to be really consistent. I will be doing that during my 6 week break, long sessions of Gran Turismo 5!
BH: Yeah thats actually what I was thinking, the Tuned Nissan GT Academy 370Z. I really like the way that car drives and its pretty similar to the GT4 car were driving now. I havent driven Spa yet in Gran Turismo 5, so when I go home Im going to download that and be all over it! Like Jann said, its about driving a bunch of consistent laps, as I said earlier, focus and not making mistakes are key to endurance racing.
Thank you so much guys, we wish you the best of luck for this weekend, Dubai and your futures.
Bryan helping to produce material for American GT Academy coverage
After the interview, the guys had a few hours to kill before they had to attend the drivers' briefing and then line up on the grid. Many interviews followed with Radio Le Mans, Radio Silverstone and other organisations keen to find out just what these extraordinary young men had been through in order to make the successful transition from bedroom gamer to professional racing driver.
Jann is interviewed for radio
The race itself was a huge success, with Bryan making up 7 places on the first lap and eventually pitting in 6th place. By the end of Jann's stint the RJN Motorsport Nissan 370Z was up to 3rd overall and 1st in class! Thanks to a high rate of attrition and the descending darkness, the boys were able to maintain an excellent pace and continue delivering super-consistent lap times, Bryan eventually bringing the car home in a massively impressive 5th overall and 1st in class. Team principal Bob Neville was sure 4th place was on the cards but for a safety car picking up the Academy 370Z instead of the leader during a caution period.
Refuelling and driver change during the race
It's fascinating to note that Jann and Bryan's best race laps were no more than 0.006s apart, and also that they were occasionally the fastest car on track a few times in the dark where they were a great match for drivers in more powerful cars. From the team's reaction and from what I could see myself, these guys are as well-prepared as anyone could hope for the Dubai 24 Hour race. Good luck boys!
Deepest and most gracious thanks to RJN Motorsport, Jardine International and in particular to Jann Mardenborough, Bryan Heitkotter and Bob Neville for unprecedented access to their team, facilities and race weekend.
All the best
Maz
! And you're a really nice guy was a pleasure to meet you at the nationals!
