Though the first race of the 2013 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron was held on Saturday, March 16, the racing season never really ends for ALMS and Grand-Am series driver Bryan Sellers. If his third place finish in the 61st running of the Mobil1 1 Hours of Sebring is any indication, his hectic schedule serves as an advantage, and more drivers might very well follow his example.
Prior to the race, Sellers took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to answer some questions posed to him by the West Palm Beach Motorsports Examiner. They give a brief insight into his plans for the future, how he feels about United Sportscar Racing, and a few gems you'll just have to read to learn about.
Why did you become a racecar driver?
“Being a racecar driver is all I have ever done and all I know. It has been the longest lasting relationship and my first love. It’s all I have ever wanted to do.”
Do you feel that your participation in triathlons helps your racing performance?
“I think any type of fitness work helps a driver prepare for racing but especially the triathlon training. They both focus in the endurance zone of training so it has been great for me!”
How did you spend your offseason?
“I didn’t have much of an offseason this year. We tested a ton with Falken tire. It kept us pretty busy the entire offseason!"
What is your favorite race track?
“I have a couple of favorite tracks. I love Sebring, Watkins Glen and Mid- Ohio. They are fantastic tracks and even better events. The racing is great but an event is made by the fans. Those tracks bring out great fans!”
Which one of your wins is the most memorable?
“The second Grand Prix of Baltimore victory [2012] we had is my most memorable. We won the race the right way, no one gave it to us. We fought hard, had great race calls and the Falken tires were fantastic. It was a proper team win! I will never forget that one.”
What are your hopes for the 2013 season in Grand-Am? ALMS?
“I have hopes of winning both the ALMS and GRAND-AM Sports Car Challenge championships. That may well be a lofty goal but we do this sport to win and I fully intend to fight until the very end for that goal. As drivers, we get hired to win and if I don’t try, and don’t expect to win, we never will.”
How do you feel about the unification of the ALMS and Grand-Am under the new United Sportscar Racing umbrella?
“I think it’s great that the two series are coming together. Both series could have survived separately but never thrived. However, with the two being joined, sports car racing can finally evolve to where we all want the sport to grow too.”
How many car races will you be running this year? Do you think the unified series will hurt drivers who compete in both series?
“I will do roughly 24 races this year. The biggest problem with the merger is that it will cut the amount of races I can do in half. It is very unfortunate because I love being able to race that often.”
As you currently compete in different teams and different series, do you know where you will be racing in 2014?
“I wish I knew where I am going to be in 2014! The future is always hard to tell in racing. I hope I can continue on with both the Team Falken Tire and Fall-Line Motorsports programs I am currently in somehow! 2014 is going to be an amazing year for the sport.”
What would be your idea of a perfect schedule for United Sportscar Racing?
“My idea of a perfect United SportsCar Racing series would consist of the 14 best events from both series, the ones that pull the most fans!”
The West Palm Beach Motorsports Examiner wishes to thank Bryan Sellers and Tom Moore of Darkhorse Autosport for the opportunity to conduct this interview. Stay tuned to this column for other interviews with the movers and shakers in the racing world, including AMSOIL Arenacross champion Tyler Bowers, 2011 Daytona 500 champion Trevor Bayne, and more!
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