Interview with Jeroen Bleekemolen – Porsche Supercup Champion
Question: Jeroen within the last few years, you have managed to win the Porsche Super Cup as well as the 24 hr Le Mans in 2008. At this stage of your career, what do you do to continue improving and motivating yourself?
I just love racing cars, so it’s not hard to get motivation. Every time I step into a car I love it. Hopefully I will be in a position to win the big races like Le Mans overall and work with big manufacturers. That is my aim at the moment. Also I could imagine having a career in the US, after joining the American Le Man Series for this year.
Question: We know that as proficient you are in a Touring car, you’re just as proficient in a Formula car as you’ve also driven for A1 Team Netherlands before. But in your opinion, how does a driver know what route is better for them? GT Cars or Formula Single Seaters?
That’s hard to say. Most of the time you need to bring money to the team in Formula racing. So if you don’t have big sponsors it’s better to focus on GT racing, because there, it is easier to make money. That’s what I did. But when you have a lot of funds behind you and you believe you can make it then maybe it is worth to get your hands into Formula cars. I think a good driver can be quick in both, so that doesn’t matter. If you’re experienced and quick in both types of cars, then the versatility of your skill can get you paid.
Question: There are many kids out there struggling to find sponsors to fund their racing. What is the best kind of advice you can provide them?
If you’re struggling to have the budget for racing try to find seats where the teams have money. And do many things at the same time, one thing can lead to another. And that means you could do some karting or some touring car at the same time. You never know where your next big potential sponsor might be watching you.
Question: If you had to rank these choices in level of importance, how will you rank it starting from the most important?
- Fitness Training
- Driver Training
- Psychological Training
- Race Experience
I feel that all of them are very important but here will be my list in order of importance.
1) Race Experience
2) Driver Training
3) Fitness Training
4) Psychological and mental training
Question: Being the son of a ex Formula 1 Driver must have been quite an advantage to you. Other than your father, is there anyone else that was pinnacle to helping you develop your race craft to the stage it is today?
I’ve had help from a lot of nice people around me, but at the end of the day I do most of the things myself as ultimately, I’m the driver that sponsors are looking at. My father’s contacts can only get me so far. This works for me well. And it’s always good to have experienced people around you who can help you out or give advice. I can understand the direction of my career a lot more easily with advice, so it is very important to have experienced and knowledgeable people around you all the time.
Question: For Kids that wish to drive in drive in a Le Mans Car one day, what series will you recommend they take part in as a way to gain sponsors attention and also to train their race craft?
The best way to get to Le Mans is to do GT racing. Of course Le Man Series or American Le Man Series is great, because those are the same cars that will be competing in your class. But as a start, series like the Porsche Supercup is also very good for learning and it would mean a lot in the eyes of sponsors and teams if you win.
They can start maybe in local GT racing. I also drive in our Dutch GT4 championship and that would be a nice series to start. I think most countries have a nice GT championship. So start with the local races and learn from there as it is cheaper and then move on to something like Porsche Supercup for more exposure and experience.
Question: Last but not least, Any kind advice for the kids in relation to development of their careers?
Work hard and try to get nice people around you. Any help you can get, take it. Remember that winning is always good for your career. Even if you have to take a step back it doesn’t matter, as long as you win. Winning will only make your profile more glamorous and easy to recognize.
Global Racing Schools will like to thank Jeroen for his time in granting us this interview.