"Actually it's much bigger in the UK and quite a few people in the U.S, know about it. Germany’s very focused on Formula One, whereas in the U.S. and UK I get asked about it a lot. It's a unique and outstanding record to have and only two Germans have claimed it (including Hans Herrman and Marco Werner). It's special. In the past it was quite important."
I know you compete in a lot of hill climb events. In a way does that train you for qualifying runs as well as just a way of keeping your eye in?
"That's a good question actually. This year and last I did a club event at my home track (Homburger ADAC Rally) with a Porsche 911 GT3 - which I won overall. I also do some rally on the side which is completely different. Obviously LMP1 is my main focus and profession, but all these other disciplines help me with the different elements of endurance racing. On one side it keeps me sharp, but also to learn different disciplines. You can always take something out of them."
Certainly in Australia, hill climbing isn't something that young drivers are interested in because they don't see it as a glamorous form of racing.
"Exactly!"
Is it a discipline you'd like to see more people involved with?
"Definitely. In the 60's and 70's in Germany it (hill-climbing) used to be at a high level. Factory teams would show up, but now it's completely club based. There are good drivers there and the discipline itself is quite difficult - people underestimate it. You have to get everything right. You have to squeeze everything out in these five or six kilometers."
Image: Porsche Motorsport/Timo Berhard Facebook