Timo Bernhard’s victory in the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours has propelled the 30-year old to star status in endurance racing. Two months ago, at the French circuit, he would have been flanked by at least one Audi PR person and possibly a security officer whenever he strayed away from the paddock. Yesterday, however, barely anybody paid attention to him as he strolled around the service area in Trier, taking time to see how the top WRC teams are organised.

After learning at the Imola 6 Hours at the beginning of July that he planned to do this rally, we had every intention of seeking him out, but it was by accident that we bumped into him on Wednesday evening after our talk with Sébastien Loeb…

“It’s true, not many people recognise me in the world of rallying, but I love the sport,” he said. “I have taken part in four rallies so far this year and I’m starting to get some good results. I finished fourth overall on the German championship’s Rallye Wartburg at the beginning of August, won my class and posted some fastest stage times. I was also second on another event, so I am very pleased with that and I think people are beginning to take me seriously. That said, a two-wheel drive Porsche isn’t the ideal car for the profile of this weekend’s stages. It will be quite tricky, but it promises to be entertaining for the spectators!”

If Timo completes all the German championship event’s scheduled stages, he will cover something like 280km. “That’s more than I’ve ever done before,” he smiles. “Okay, I’m used to pacing myself over long stints in endurance racing, but this is different. At Le Mans, I’m in radio contact with the team all the time. They talk me through the race. On a rally, you’re on your own and there are so many variables, and so many decisions you have to take by yourself. Getting tyres choices right in mixed conditions is just one example.”

Timo’s relative lack of experience is compensated for by his co-driver who is none other than Klaus Wicha who read out the pacenotes for Armin Schwarz in the World Rally Championship for many years.

2010 Le Mans winner, Audi, Porsche 911 GT3, Timo Bernhard