Kamui Kobayashi, Konica Minolta Cadillac driver quote ahead of 24h Daytona 21.01.2019: KAMUI KOBAYASHI, driver, No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R: Your overall thoughts about your first Rolex 24 At Daytona this weekend? “First of all, I’m thankful to Konica Minolta

KAMUI KOBAYASHI,
driver, No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R:


 
Your overall thoughts about your first Rolex 24 At Daytona this weekend?

 
“First of all, I’m thankful to Konica Minolta and Cadillac and Wayne Taylor for allowing me to be here. To be racing in America is a target for a lot of drivers around the world, including myself. And, of course, for my first race in America to be the Daytona 24-hour, it is quite a big honor for me.


When I first jumped into the car at the test, I was quite amazed at the banking and the rest of the circuit. I was shouting on the radio when I first drove on the banking and, the funny thing was that nobody on the team reacted. Silence. I think the team was just trying to have some fun with me, but I felt like I’m now ready for NASCAR.



They seemed to enjoy my reaction when I got out of the car that first time. This race is so great, the atmosphere is so good, the team is really professional, and I’m definitely enjoying myself a lot right now and I am really looking forward to this 24-hour race.”



 

What kinds of things did you learn during the three-day test earlier this month?

 
“As we expected, I think the team worked very well together – we have a good feeling. We left knowing what we needed to do. I think we all have enough experience for this type of race. We just collaborate with our experience to bring each other up to speed. I think overall we saw some positive things.


Some things went really well and we worked well together. It was my first test with the team and we got off to a good start. Our expectation is to win the race. I feel really happy being here and very proud to drive for this team. I think we enjoy and know each other well, we communicated well.


The track is pretty amazing, especially the banking – it’s quite amazing. I’m always looking for new stuff that is exciting in motorsports and obviously this track is one of those kinds of things.



It’s also amazing how different it is compared to Europe with the spectators being so close to the drivers. It’s very nice. Basically, I come from a completely opposite world as far as that goes. I enjoy this place and it’s a good explanation why the United States has such great fans in racing – sports cars, NASCAR, Indy cars. That makes it fun for the drivers.”






Laz Denes- photo Bryan Cleary