PRESS - Quote from The East Grinstead Courier and Observer - 11 June 2009
Niki Lanik is turning more than a few heads as he switches to international racing this season.
The double Winter UK Clio Cup champion believes he is where he needs to be to develop his racing portfolio and prove he has what it takes to be one of the best. At just 22 he has bucketloads of experience under his belt, but securing a drive with the Liege-based ProSpeed Competition team in the demanding GT3 Championship is a make or break move for him.
In two rounds this season, the team has taken a 14th place finish at Silverstone (they retired in the second race), while at Adria in Italy they finish fourth before taking an impressive sixth in the night race, The team took first and second in the Porsche class.
“The step up into the international arena was something I had to do if I was going to get myself noticed,” explained Lanik, 22, born in Austria and named after the great Formula One driver Niki Lauda.
“Things have started really well, and I’m enjoying every moment.
“I am with an outstanding team with an excellent track record in sports cars, and it has been tough, physically. I work with a personal trainer now to improve my fitness so I will be able to be competitive and not get dehydrated.
“I am not a big guy so I need to work on that area. I have recognised that being simply a fast driver is not enough, I have to be really fit to withstand the demands of racing a sports car.”
Lanik’s target this season is to get on the podium and he believes if fit enough he could win the class in Dubai.
“If I can do that I will be mighty pleased with myself,” said Lanik, who lives at Ashurst Wood.
The series moves to Oschersleban in Germany on June 18. “I walked the track recently to help understand my braking points and I’m excited about what we can achieve.”
Lanik, who now has a manager, is focused on success. His vision is to gain experience at this level before moving up to GT2 and securing a drive at the Le Mans 24 Hours. “I want to do the big races, maybe race in the United States and prove what I can do,” he said.
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