20 Questions With…. Ryan Dalziel
Next up for the DSC 20 Question Challenge is Ryan Dalziel, 2012 FIA WEC Championship winner, 2010 Rolex 24 Hours winner and 2017 Petit Le Mans winner.
1. Motorsport hero?
Ayrton Senna and Dario Franchitti (seen below with Tom Kristensen).
Like most kids growing up racing in the ’90s, Senna was the man, I even got to meet him.
But Dario has been a family friend and mentor since I was 14 so without a doubt, he is my real-life hero.
2. Favourite circuit?
Le Mans and Watkins Glen. Both tracks are fast fast fast.
Le Mans is just special to even be a part of.
3. Least favourite circuit?
Shanghai. Where do I start on why… Long list.
4. My first sportscar race was?
Homestead Miami Speedway in 2006 Grand Am Championship driving for Peter Baron’s SAMAX Motorsport in a Porsche GT3.
5. Best teammate?
Tough call. As far as learning the trade/business side of racing it’s between Marc Goosens, Dave Empringham (we only shared on long races) and Johannes Van Overbeek.
The most fun teammate was Daniel Morad.
6. Favourite livery?
Pretty much all of the Patron ESM cars looked mega.
Our 2020 Starworks LMP2 car looks really good too.
7. Best current championship?
Obviously all the ones I race in, IMSA and SRO America!!
8. One big idea to improve sportscar racing is? (Can’t be BoP or driver rankings).
Free admission to fans.
Everyone stop fighting and start getting along. Too many CEO’s think their series is the best when in actual fact we are all sucking just now.
9. My driver ranking should be?
Gold, as it is. I’m a professional driver, paid by non-factory race teams.
10. Favourite racing movie/documentary?
Senna.
11. Favourite racing book?
What are books again haha
12. Best team manager?
Erin Gahaghan (EFFORT/Patron ESM/DXDT Racing). I met her in 2014 at EFFORT Racing and we’ve been lucky to keep working together since. Erin is daughter to the legendary Tom Milner (sister to Tommy)
13. Favourite song before a race is?
USA National Anthem.
14. My racing superstition is?
Left them all back in 2013.
15. My favourite piece of racing memorabilia is?
I have my 2004 Toyota Atlantic race car from Sierra Sierra. If Dario or Allan ever do a helmet swap with me then it would be that….hint hint guys.
16. Racing rival?
Pipo Derani. When he came to Patron I had to up my game. He is a fast little shit haha
17. I’d like to get drunk with?
James Hunt.
18. Toughest driver to face?
Scott Pruett and Max Angelleli when I came into SportsCar racing.
19. If I could compete in one race in racing history it would be?
My history sucks haha. How about 2020 Long Beach… oh wait.
20. I’d like to be in lockdown with?
Exactly who I am with, my wife and dogs.