In His Own Words: Emanuele Pirro

In His Own Words: Emanuele Pirro

Posted: August 24th, 2006 in American Le Mans
Author: American Le Mans Series
Photo By: Joe Martin

Emanuele Pirro is ecstatic to be back in the American Le Mans Series, and it’s safe to say so are his legions fans. After an unfortunate retirement at Sebring in the debut race for the diesel-powered Audi R10 TDI, Pirro and Biela returned to Europe in preparation of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which they captured for the fourth time in June. Now Pirro and Biela are back with Audi Sport North America, which has entered two R10 TDIs for the remaining schedule.

Already Pirro and Biela have won twice in their Series since their return, including their second straight win at Road America. Next up is an attempt at a repeat at Mosport. Here are some of his thoughts on the past eight months:On winning Le Mans with the R10:
“Needless to say, every win is special and unique. This one was particularly wanted by everyone here. We were bringing into racing a new revolutionary engine. In Europe, more than half of the road cars are diesel, and in the US diesel is still searching for its market. No one has ever made a race-purpose diesel engine other than Audi. This was a unique opportunity to be part of motor racing history. We put a huge effort into developing the car in the best possible way. It really made me want to win the race very, very much.”Thoughts on Mosport:
“Mosport is one of my favorite tracks. I love fast corners, and Mosport provides a lot of those. Unfortunately, it doesn’t bring me any good luck. The only two sports car accidents I have had happened at Mosport. Things don’t seem to work for me very well here. Hopefully this year we can win one more time.“Modern circuits have been updated and changed to comply with safety regulations and standards, especially in Europe. Most times, every update made it easier and easier and easier. I’ve driven for 26 years, and I’ve witnessed this process a lot. It made driving very much easier. I don’t really like that. That’s the reason I really like Mosport, because your ride is going to be a good one!”

 The R8 vs. R10 TDI?
“We have to remember that the R8 is six years old, which means six years of newer technology. The R10 is much more advanced and sophisticated. The diesel engine requires a very special car around it. It (the diesel) is significantly longer, bigger and heavier than a petrol engine, as is the transmission because of the torque. Building a car around that is very, very difficult. I would like people to appreciate how difficult it is to build a car around this technology.”Off the track:
“Motor racing is my life. But it’s not everything. I always wanted to learn many other things. I try to use my spare time in the best possible way and build something up for my future. Right now I have three main activities: a hotel business, a software company that is building a tool for kart tuning and driving and designing simulation, and also a marketing company.“I play every sport. I fly. I dive. My time is very short, but I thank God for the time and ability to enjoy them.”On being the voice of Wingo in the Italian version of Disney Pixar’s Cars:
“They just asked me. They wanted to use some known drivers for some of the smaller characters – Giancarlo Fischicella, Alex Zanardi, Jarno Trulli. It’s fun for a child. Cars are very unique things and it was quite fun to make it. I haven’t seen it yet. In Italy is coming out in a week’s time. There actually was a problem with my children because when it is coming out I’ll be in Canada. They’ll be going by themselves and then going back to see when I come home.”

On former F1 drivers (like Jacques Villeneuve) transitioning into the Series:
“I think former F1 drivers are very, very welcome to go on in their careers only if they want it. If they do it just for money and to avoid getting poor, they will just ruin their image in motorsport. If Jacques wants to put his reputation into the field and still wants to do it, I’m sure he’ll find the right ride. I hope we don’t get whoever comes to just cash a check. There is so much to learn and so much to do that you have to come in with the right attitude.”Reaction and reception of diesel in US:
“In Sebring when we were driving in practice, one gentleman came to me and said, ‘Come on, you can tell me. This isn’t a diesel, isn’t it?’ It gives you an idea as to what some people think. In Europe, people think this is a different race car but not that there’s anything wrong with it because the roads are full of high-performance diesel engines. In America, people probably think ‘What are they doing with this slow power?’ They think of smoke and things opposite from a race car. The world is developing and people will soon learn that a diesel car is far different than what diesel cars used to be.”On driving adjustments with the Audi diesel:
“It is more than relatively quieter (than a petrol engine). At the beginning, it was a problem. When I first drove it, it felt like an electric motor. I even thought to put some kind of device to increase the engine sound in our ears. This was something that went away very soon and we got used to it very much. I never realized how much you drive with your ears and the rest of your body. At medium and high speeds, you don’t hear the speeds because the engine noise is silenced by wind, suspension, transmission. It’s a new world.”On not competing in America for the full season:
“We knew before Sebring that only one driver pairing was going to compete for the whole championship – the one who finished ahead of the other at Sebring. Sebring always was a test for Le Mans and we were going to run an R8 until Le Mans. We knew that Sebring was very, very important to be able to compete in the American Le Mans Series. We had a retirement and didn’t have a chance to compete here. After Sebring, I was very, very sad about not competing here. But the reward at Le Mans made up for it. At the wheel, it’s impossible for me to make a less than full effort. There is no problem of motivation at all.”

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