KIH
[Purist]
12054
2. Welcome Dinner, surprise guests and short interviews.
The welcome reception and nice dinner reception was held at the nearby Prince Hotel.
Several VIP were present and Marc explained a bit about Porsche partnership as well as about the race (see previous post), and Thomas Dobeli (the new President of Chopard Japan) and Chopard Geneva team and Chopard Japan team played excellent host roles. Very impressive.
And we all signed the paper that says "I will not take any photos in the garage", and something like that.
In the room was the first surprise. The room is nice, but the present from Chopard are so nice - any race fan would weep - which I almost did!
What's in the box - pass for the VIP Hospitality area, Grid Walk ticket, ear plugs, and the wrist band to enter the Porsche lounge.
The dinner table is nicely set. Just sized for the small number of the guests. I feel so fortunate to be invited!
Mr. Thomas Dobeli, the new General Manager of Chopard Japan made opening remarks including introduction of Mr. Marc Vandalen, who gave us a short lecture we must know before enjoying the race.
Mr. Marc Vandalen shows Superfast 919 eidtion (LE or 919) (on the right).
Introduction of Chopard Ambassadors:
Mark Webber - lead driver of #17
Brendon Hartley - #17 driver
Romain Dumas - lead driver of #18
And, then, Brendon and Romain came out of nowhere and joined our dinner!
Brendon: "Hello all. Actually, speaking for all the Porsche drivers, we love to come to Japan. Lots of Porsche fans here. Also we are huge fans of this track - very good track setting with mountain background (Mt. Fuji). So, we are very much looking forward to tomorrow's race. I am happy that we took the pole position."
Romain - (Marc's introduction - the only driver who wears Chopard watch everywhere) "I use my Superfast anywhere, anytime, at all the races. I am just used to wearing it and very easy to read and just what I need for my races." He actually does rally racing as well and somewhere in the world he is racing with a Chopard watch almost ever week.
And the dinner starts.
Brendon sits close to me and answered all the questions we had - very friendly, young but very matured chap. He is just 25 years old, with 10 years of experience in this world.
Brendon interview over dinner:
KIH: You are / were test driver for F1, too. What is the difference between F1 and WEC?
Brendon Hartley ("BH"): WEC rules are very open, in comparison to F1. We are confined to use certain amount of energy, but otherwise, you can use any engine, gas or diesel, hybrid, electric. The specs are getting very close between F1 and WEC. The times are almost the same now. WEC cars can have all wheel drive and more down force, so the corner speed is faster than F1 although the top speed is faster in F1. Also the team is completely different. F1 is about the solo driver and the "team mate" is an enemy in some way. In WEC races, three drivers share one car - meaning we are the best friends and the atmosphere is very, very different.
Also, electric power is incredible. Combustion engine power-up takes time, electric power is instant.
KIH: So, you prefer WEC to F1?
BH: Yes, definitely.
KIH: What changed since last year so that you are winning so much this year?
BH: We made lots of improvement. This year's car is 3.5 sec faster than last year. Toyota did well last year, but they did not make much change and I guess no one expected we would improve this much. I think Toyota will come back with a huge step up next year, though. This year, Audi is so close to us. You may see a lot of action tomorrow at the start. I am happy that I am not the first driver tomorrow 
KIH: the driving interval is longer than F1. What do you do? Can you go home often?
BH: We do have some spare time for sure, but I come home to see my parents once a year around Christmas time. Now I live in Monaco and I go home there more often. But mostly, we do testing, meeting, training, and have lots things to do. How do I adjust for jet lag? Well, it affects me as does it everybody. I arrived here the day before yesterday from Bahrain where I was attending some sponsor event, but since three days prior to coming to Japan, I had started to adjust to Japan Time - woke up 3am and went to bed at 6pm there. That, I always do and helps a lot.
KIH: Do you like Japan?
BH: Yes, I like to come here very much. Last year, I had four days after the race and had good time in Tokyo. This year, we won't have much time after the race, so next year I would really like to spend more time in Japan.
KIH: What do you like about Chopard watches?
BH: I love watches but I don't have many. I have now five Chopard and one other brand which was my first watch from a long time ago. Essentially, the basic concept is the same - accuracy, reliability, durability, and innovative - all of them are required for the race machines, too. And philosophy of Chopard and Porsche seems to match very well in that regard. Innovative is most important and that is the spirit those two brands have in common. I don't have one yet, but I really like "Engine One" in horizontal style. That one is so cool.
KIH: How did you get into racing?
BH: Hahaha. My parents. They were both racers. I started racing at 13. At 15, I left school (he was born and grew up in New Zealand) and went to Europe for driving training. Since then, I have been racing. I just like what I do. I love what I do now.
Brendon was wearing the new watch he just received - L.U.C 8HF Power Control in Black Ceramic/ PVD Titanium. Nice!!!!
An instant meeting in the dinner room (for tomorrow?)
Mini interview with Romain Dumas
- I wear Superfast at every race from the Paris-Dakar to Le Mans.
- The car - engine and chassis - improved a lot since the last year's version, more down force, lighter body (40kg less!), better view, better ergonomics. Engine is much better. This year, the machine has more grip, so faster on the curve.
- Tomorrow race will be difficult (forecast was rain). Audi is also good this year. Rain and temperature will affect a lot..... The team who choose the right tires and adjustment for the weather would win and the weather is something we have to just guess.
It was too dark there - I am so sorry, Mr. Dumas!
And the fun night ends.....
To be continued to the day of the Final Session.
This message has been edited by KIH on 2015-10-12 09:59:29
LIVE REPORT: Chopard-sponsored Porsche 919 Team 1-2 finish at Fuji Speedway
I was fortunate to be invited to the final session of WEC 2015 6th race in Fuji International Speedway in Japan. I admit that I have been a fan of motor sport since I was very little. The first one that I remember was F1 at Fuji (which my dad was watching...
1. About WEC Race.
First comes first - WEC 101. According to Mr. Marc Vandalen working for Chopard and in charge of its sponsorship for Porsche WEC team. He said at the lecture before the dinner, "I want to introduce you to the world of racing. A bit different from other ra...
2. Welcome Dinner, surprise guests and short interviews.
The welcome reception and nice dinner reception was held at the nearby Prince Hotel. Several VIP were present and Marc explained a bit about Porsche partnership as well as about the race (see previous post), and Thomas Dobeli (the new President of Chopard...
3. Final Session (lots of photos) and watches!
Disclaimer: all the photos are taken by me, so please pardon if the quality is not up there Yes, we all wore the "uniform". The hospitality lounge building. Porsche lounge inside. Before starting. Fans flocked the tents in front of the pits/ garages. In t...
That looks like one hell of an event. Bravo to Chopard the Drives and Porsche.
Sitting on the edge of your seat the whole way through. Thank you for the great coverage. Bill
Thanks Bill.
Great experience to watch the race "there". Now I understand more about the races and my interest for the motor sports was re-ignited Ken
I can vouch for the Chopard watches actually being raced
Thanks Ken for the LIVE report from Fuji Speedway. At least, I think it was Fuji but Mount Fuji was hiding?!? I can vouch for Romain wearing his Chopard watch during the races... Romain Dumas with Chopard Superfast Power Control watch Chopard Superfast Po...
Yeah, I knew where it was, but the cloud was so low.....
.. and couldn't see which one is which. Damn. Today, on the other hand, is very, very nice day. Yes, that 's exactly what Romain was wearing at the dinner - which my too-bad photo barely captured. I couldn't confirm during the race, though. Thanks for the...
Proof of Life photos of Chopard watches duriing races
Yes: the watches actually race....well, definitely on Romain Dumas (see photo) Chopard Superfast Power Control watch on Romain Dumas Chopard Superfast Power Control watch on Mark Webber between racing stints ...
I don't usually look at girls with racing cars and watches on show BUT
I don't know why this girl caught my eye... What do the secret Japanese hand signals mean? It's a mystery. Regards, MTF ...
I have no idea, sir....
... they are soooo much younger than us and I don't know the "trend"....
I thought they were posing for you
But then I noticed most of them weren\'t looking toward the camera. But I still like the mystery girls. Cazalea
Chopard xps
I love how your shot of the xps captured the sunburst finish of the dial. That it emanates from the chopard logo instead of the centre of the dial is a delicious detail! J
Great photo of the Chopard LUC XPS!
I just shared it on PPro's Instagram Page Cheers, Anthony
Porsche 919 SWISS-MADE Driver
I forgot to mention that there is a Swiss-made Driver for Porsche Motorsport Team in the form of Neel Jani (Gujarati-Swiss) who set the fastest qualifying lap at Le Mans 2015, breaking the old 2008 record that stood for seven years. Regards, MTF ...
He came third and became world champion
Because Niki Lauda thought the rain too dangerous and did not race. If that is the race you are talking about Thanks for the great coverage - very well captured and of course interesting. I am also waiting for the \'return\' of Toyota next year; not that ...
Good memory, my friend!
Yes, I think JH won the world championship that year.... Thanks! Ken
Definitely a memorable moment to start the appreciation of F1 with :)
The characters used to be more \'colorful\' back in the day, too...
Yes, Niki, Mario, Ronny, Gill, Firripardi (spelling?), Hunt, Prost, then Senna...
... ended one era.... It is the old guys' tendency to glorify the past - but then again, it was our generation and our time Those who perished on the course..... RIP.... Ken
Gilles and Fittipaldi :)
Agree - watching some of the old race clips is so much more satisfying. Nico is also not Keke... Also been some time since on / near track hanky panky (something Hunt was famous for - the latest one probably being Button after his first win with Brawn GP)...
Fantastic report Ken!
Wow very exciting event! I am not a big fan of motor sports but I can feel the adrenaline rush just by reading your report! Cheers Robin
Excellent reporting!
I learned so much from your report Ken! Excellent journalism and excellent photography! You look like you're having a blast!
Wow what an awesome and thorough coverage report Ken!
Thanks for breaking up the report into several posts because it made it very easy to read and comprehend. I felt like I was there at the race with you! This report must have taken many many hours to compose, so thank you for your passion! I don't know how...
