Name: Sven Eckhardt
Age: 36
Location: Colgne, Germany
V-WTCC Car: Seat
V-WTCC Achievement: Winner of the Seat Brand Cup Race at Valencia

You won a Brand Cup event. Tell us your story of the races.
My qualification was really bad. I only got sixth place and was 0.6 off-pace. The start of the first race went pretty well. I could gain four positions and lined up behind my DTMR teammate Tomislav (Vladovic. – ed.). From there on it was an easy run: third place.
Race 2 was much more exciting. I had a bad start and got into some very close racing for the top 5 positions. It was a tough race, however fair. In the end I could grab second place and thereby became the winner of the Seat Brand Cup Races.
Of course I was really happy!

How did you prepare for the races?
Valencia is one of my favourite tracks. I feel very well there even if I have not trained a lot. I did participate in an online league event
on Valencia recently and I was coached very well.

How did you become a simracer?
Good question. I’ve been into karting, but found that over time I could only afford to be a simracer. I started off with GTR and a Logitech
DFP wheel. I became addicted. Lately I have added GTR2, rFactor and RACE 07 to my collection. RACE 07 is the best simracing game to me. I just love the close fights there like they are in WTCC and BTCC.

Are you a real racer as well?
I’ve raced in the German Kartsport for 12 years, but I became a bit ‘old’ and it stared to cost me too much money. If I can manage to arrange it I will drive in the German VLN at the Nordschleife next year. However, there’s still a lot to do before I can live this dream.

What are your expectations for the Semi-Finals in Valencia?
It will become very hard. We’ve already seen in the Brand Cups that the BMW’s are very strong and they have the advantage at the start. I will give everything, up until the last corner.

Do you have any tips for new drivers?
Oh yes. The race lasts more than 13 laps!

Who will win the V-WTCC 2008?
I think there are some great names out there. For sure it becomes a BMW driver: David Greco or Greger Huttu I think.