The long winter is over and, as engines roar again, Joel Camathias is ready for the season-opener of the International GT Open, on stage this weekend (2-4 May) at the Nürburgring, in Germany.
The 33-year-old Swiss from Canton Ticino has renewed ambitions in a championship that has seen him very successful in the past: two overall titles (2007 and 2009) and no less than 12 race wins. This
This will be an important year for Joel also because it marks his … twentieth racing season. He was 13 when he started racing go-karts in 1994, following in the family’s motorsports tradition.
Joel Camathias: “As always when comes this period of the year, after the long winter recess, I feel anxious to be again behind a steering wheel. My 2013 season ended with a big shunt in practice at the last round of the GT Open in Barcelona, but 2014 is starting under the best auspices. I am very happy to be again in the GT Open, a series that I love because of the high level of competitiveness and because it takes place on Europe’s best tracks, and to drive this year for a Swiss team. This is not new, as I raced for Trottet Racing in 2009 when I conquered my second GT Open title, but it is the first time that I race at this level for a team from Ticino. Black Bull Swiss Racing is a very professional team but with a friendly atmosphere, and I thank Arno Lovat for his trust. I know Mirko Venturi since we were rivals in our karting years, he is fast and solid, and I think we’ll form a good pair that can go for podiums consistently. 2014 is a very special year for me also because it will be my twentieth in the sports. I was still a kid when it all started with karts and it’s difficult to believe that twenty years have past! It has been a time of many satisfactions, but the love for racing and winning is intact. Looking at the pictures of two decades ago brings back a lot of good memories and it is funny to see my dad being my mechanic and my grand-dad in the role of time-keeper… I owe them a lot and they still are my biggest fans. But now is time to look ahead and at this exciting season of the GT Open which is about to start.”