Guy Smith Q&A

"Yes, we had a really good test. It was the first time we had gone to Daytona with that car, the new Riley & Scott. We went out and were fastest in almost every session. Obviously we were very excited with how the car went and we have a really good chance in the race to have a good result. It was nice to be quick out of the box and we have a good shot at pole position too."



"It will be very competitive. There are a lot of strong prototypes this year, probably more than last year or even for the last five or six years. The Dallara of Max Papis was quickest at the test which was disappointing for me to be pipped at the end. But I believe that one on one, we can take the fight to them and are quicker than the Dallara. My aim is to go out and thrash Max in qualifying and prove who is quickest."



"Absolutely. Max is a great guy and I have a lot of respect for him. But I want to be the fastest."



"I think it will be really close. There are maybe four or five cars - like the Dyson car, the Dallara car of Doran, the Risi Ferrari - that will be contenders, so it going to be tough. It is always difficult in a 24 hour race when you have to decide whether to cruise round and finish the race, or go at it like hell. This race is going to be a slog right to the end I think, and hopefully we'll come out on top."



"I think that will probably happen. Like I said, there are more competitive prototypes and less competitive GT cars. A prototype should win which is good for the sport to see that happen."



"It would be great. As a relative newcomer to sportscars, it would be nice to get my first big sportscar win under my belt. Obviously I'm aiming to go to Le Mans later in the year and try and win that one, so it would be the perfect start to a great year. It would also be nice to win a Rolex watch!"



"We are currently talking to them and there is a pretty good chance I will be with them this year. They had a great showing there last year with third place and they have continued to develop and test the car. It is turning into a really great piece of equipment. Hopefully this year we will have a car capable of taking the fight to the Audis."



"It's not one single thing, it's a little bit of all areas. We are on Dunlop tyres, which were fantastic last year but were still relatively new compared to the Michelins. They have got to improve a bit more and we as a team need to keep pushing to develop the car. Lots of little areas need to be improved and that takes time, but certainly every time we go out testing we are a little bit quicker. Come June we will be right there."



"I want to race in the American Le Mans Series, ideally in an Audi. That only leaves the Champion car which would be a great option for me. I believe I am the man to do the job."