Q & A with Jack Kirkpatrick

Q & A with Jack Kirkpatrick
Fri 06 Apr, 1:49 PM

One of the talking points in the racing series is the latest development and efforts set by Pherrari targeting the Constructor’s and Driver’s World Championship. Ted Kraus with Speed Canal sat down with Jack Kirkpatrick and grilled him on this subject:

Kraus: You dominated Round 1, but you failed to finish Round 2. What happened and what are your expectations for Round 3?

Kirkpatrick: The engine exploded last month and I expect to be competitive at Round 3.

Kraus: Oh yeah that was some explosion. We heard reports that you had to be hospitalized, was that because of the smoke and fire caused by the engine explosion or something else?

Kirkpatrick: It was because of the engine explosion.

Kraus: We heard rumors that your body was starting to give up and that you told the team over the radio that you couldn’t keep going anymore, any truth to that?

Kirkpatrick: You should not pay attention to rumors Ted. I would have won that race had I not suffered an engine explosion.

Kraus: So you are not denying that your body had enough, that you were physically hurt? I am only asking you this because we all know how difficult it is to control a TAG machine and how stressful on your body and mind it is to compete in this world championship.

Kirkpatrick: Drivers have to endure a lot of pain during testing and during racing sometimes. We can’t think about that. We are professionals and we do what we have to do to win. The fact is that I was leading the race, with a comfortable lead when my engine gave up.

Kraus: Brian Phillipsen tells us that he had the race under control and would eventually make a pass on you.

Kirkpatrick: We are talking about the ifs again, aren’t we again Ted? I know how much you like Brian and that his 8 world titles do mean something, but there is no way or I should say, there was no way that he was going to make a move on me under those circumstances.

Kraus: Are you guys friends?

Kirkpatrick: We respect each other. We both reside in Huntington Beach but we don’t see nor hang out with each other, if that is what you are asking?

Kraus: What about Pherrari’s latest efforts to help you regain momentum in the championship fight? You have performed over 27 test sessions since the last race, you have one of the biggest budget in the series and I am told by reliable sources that Pherrari is contemplating bringing two or three drivers to race in the series just to help you gain more points. What do you have to say to that?

Kirkpatrick: Pherrari is very passionate about racing as I am about winning. We have tested a number of different components and we have done a lot of runs, racing simulation runs to try different set ups. When you want to be on top, you have to do these things.

Kraus: But don’t you think it is a lack of sportsmanship to hire drivers just to take points away from your competitors?

Kirkpatrick: I didn’t say that, you are saying that. What I can tell you is that this is racing and this is competition. Whatever we do, I am sure it will conform with the rules. If Pherrari decides to hire more drivers, I am sure that those drivers are going out there for themselves

Kraus: Your ex-teammate, Larry Hayashigawa, is now leading the championship. Does it make things easier since he is no longer your teammate?

Kirkpatrick: I am not concerned about Larry.

Kraus: What do you mean by that? You don’t think he performs as good as you?

Kirkpatrick: I am not saying that. Larry is a very good driver, but I don’t think he is up to speed on his CRG yet and by the time he gets, it may be already to late I think.

Kraus: If Larry does not concerns you, who does?

Kirkpatrick: Myself. I just need to make sure that I am healthy, that I have the right equipment. As long as I have these two things in order, I can be competitive, I can win races and I can start thinking about the championship title. No one else can take it away form me, but myself.

Kraus: Will you test before the race on the 14th?

Kirkpatrick: We are back at the factory doing some computer modeling simulation. Our engineers will decide the necessity of testing at the track in the next day or two. My feelings are that we are.

Kraus: Jack, thanks for your time. Best of luck on the 14th.

Kirkpatrick: You’re very welcome Ted. Say hi to Susan for me.