Racers in Isolation: Tom Dillmann

Next up in Sportscar365’s Racers in Isolation series is ByKolles Racing LMP1 driver Tom Dillmann (Instagram/Twitter).

The Frenchman, who raced in Formula E and WEC last year, tells us about his sim racing setup, his recent Super GT test outing and his aspirations to live like Bond…

Where are you sitting out the COVID-19 pandemic?

I’m at home in Basel, Switzerland with my wife Nicolle.

How are you keeping busy during the period of no racing?

I have a sim, luckily, so it is being put to good use. I can still work a little as I’m involved in the development of car models and tracks for simulators.

I am also taking part in race events like ‘The Race All-Star Battle’ and ‘Real Racers Never Quit’.

To be honest, I’m getting a bit bored of the simulator now. I need real driving and feel some g-force!

Tell us about your sim setup and what games you use.

I use both rFactor 2 and iRacing. rFactor 2 is great as you can develop your own car models and tweak them. For example, right now I’m doing the ByKolles LMP1 car by myself, for my personal use.

iRacing is great for racing, very easy and well organized. I race together with a good group of drivers, so it is very competitive and fun.

You did manage to do some real-world testing recently, in a JLOC Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo for Super GT. How did that go?

Yes, it was great to go back to Japan even if there were no fans! Super GT was a possibility for 2019 but when I signed for NIO in Formula E there were too many clashes.

So now I got this opportunity to come back there but in the lower class, GT300, which is good to gain experience in the series.

The test went well and we were going to continue at the next test in Fuji. Now everything is on hold, of course.

What music are you listening to at the moment? Name a song that we should all be listening to right now!

I listen more to sets from techno DJs these days. The last one was this one from Paco Osuna. Let me know what you think of it… haha.

What films/TV have you been enjoying recently? Or, if you prefer books, what have you been reading?

Recently I liked Uncut Gems on Netflix, it’s very intense! I’m also reading Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari which I got for Valentine’s Day.

What was your first car?

My first car was…. a Peugeot 107 and it was good to park. I was going to the races with it when in F3.

What is your favorite section of race track in the world?

I can’t really choose one. Suzuka from T1 to Degner 2 in a Super Formula car is fantastic, and the Le Mans Porsche Curves in an LMP1 also. There are quite a few more, like Pau in F3, Spa in a Formula Renault 3.5…

To be able to feel those great race cars with aero on the limit in some amazing sections is my highlight of the sport from my perspective as a driver, to feel those g-forces and speed.

Those are amazing feelings and memories.

What’s the one thing you are most looking forward to the first day you return to a race track?

Release the pit limiter!