Racers in Isolation: Dries Vanthoor

Next up in Sportscar365’s Racers in Isolation series is Audi GT3 factory driver Dries Vanthoor (Instagram/Twitter).

The Belgian, who often races for WRT, tells us about how he’s passing the time during lockdown and his motorsport wish list.

Where are you sitting out the COVID-19 crisis?

I’m staying at home [in Belgium], mainly on my sofa. These are difficult times and there’s not much we can do, so I’m just supporting and helping out my family and my friends as much as I can.

What kind of TV, music or books are you passing the time within lockdown?

I don’t really like to read books, but I do like Netflix. I’m watching The Black list, Suits and some Belgian series – this is kind of my daily routine.

What are you doing to maintain your fitness level?

I try to do sports as much as I can, which is allowed obviously.

So I’m mainly going for a run and I’m playing tennis again. I really like it a lot and I used to play tennis when I was a kid.

I’m really enjoying and improving there and I’m beating my dad, so we have a lot of fun.

Is there a race still on your bucket list that you would like to do one day?

Yes, of course. I would love to do Le Mans again, but in another class – this is still on my list.

And there are still a few races in America, like Sebring and Road America which I really would like to do, so I hope I can do it in the next coming years

What other form of motorsports would you like to try your hand in?

I would like to do rally one day! I don’t know if I will be able to finish it though, but it will be either very fast, or a I will have a big crash.

I would also like to try MotoGP – I’m not good on two wheels, but just to try. You know, the adrenaline which allows you to go that fast with barely any protection or anything around you – this is pretty insane, I think.

Do you follow any other sports? If so, favorite teams?

I follow soccer a lot and also tennis. I’m not really a big fan of one exact team, but here in Belgium I support K.R.C. Genk and in international leagues Real Madrid. I can’t really pick between them.

What’s your favorite holiday destination?

My favorite holiday destination must be either the U.S. or Santorini in Greece. I have been there already, and I think Santorini was one of the most special and prettiest holidays I have done so far.

Me and my girlfriend had a really nice time there, so this is surely a very beautiful place to be.

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

Just to get back in the car, do a qualifying session to get the best out of the lap – I think this is something we are all missing.

The adrenaline, the feeling of being nervous before a session – those type of feelings I do really miss. I look forward to getting back as soon as possible.

We are going through a very difficult time now, so we just need to stick to the rules and hopefully we can get over it quite soon and be able to back to the track!