By Sam Tickell
Wirth tested for PTG Panoz at Petit Le Mans, his first taste of the ALMS
Andreas Wirth has faced the share of hard knocks in the world of motorsport as he attempts to forge his own path and build his racing career. As a German racing in America during this generation’s biggest financial collapse, things have not been easy.
Wirth started the year racing in the Atlantic series but after a few difficulties between the financiers and the team, Wirth had to cut his season short.
But he and his team did not give up.
When referring to his 2008 season, Wirth revealed exclusively to feedmesportscars.com that “it was very hard. You always put a lot of energy into it and then it is even harder not getting a ride. But I'm not the person who gives up so I will work even harder to make it happen.”
And it almost did happen when Wirth got the chance to test with PTG Panoz at Petit Le Mans.
He was to run the race but technical problems with the car prohibited his run.
Despite this, Wirth was able to get some laps in and enjoyed the experience immensely.
“I liked it a lot” said Wirth, “it is completely different to everything I have done so far but it is a lot of fun. For sure, it takes a bit to get used to everything to be able to get 110% out of it. I like the challenge and I enjoyed driving.”
A funny anecdote which I’m sure Andreas will not mind me sharing is that he caused a red flag in his first event as a Champ Car driver and in his first event as an ALMS driver when he put the Panoz in an unyielding gravel trap during a night practice session.
Wirth racing for Dale Coyne at the Gold Coast in the Champ Car Series. He would finish inside the top 10 on debut
Unlike his first Champ Car session, where he got to race for Dale Coyne and finished ninth, his ALMS career has stalled for the time being.
But he hopes to be back soon and one good reason why – he set some great times when he was in the car and he can only get quicker.
When testing for PTG, Wirth was confident and said that ALMS is his main ambition for the future.
And let’s face it, Wirth and the ALMS would be a good fit.
The Wirth family business, to which Andreas plays a large role, is in the renewable energy sector.
Wirsol, as it is called is a valuable environmental player.
“[Wirsol] does everything with renewable energy. All different sorts of Solar, Wind wheels, combined heat and power units, but the main thing is photovoltaic - meaning we are leaders in distributing, selling, planning, installing and managing of solar energy systems.”
Wirth was enthused when talking about this. Sustainability and renewable energy seems to be a passion of both Wirth and the American Le Mans Series.
But just awareness for environmental sustainability should not be a reason to give any driver a ride in any series.
Results and personality have to match too.
And Wirth has good qualities in both of them as well.
A Champion of Formula BMW he graduated to Champ Car Atlantic when the series was at its peak. Competing against such guys as Simon Pagenaud, Graham Rahal and Rafa Matos. Wirth was in the title hunt, leading the title after eight rounds but due to some poor luck, he was unable to take the title.
Wirth at the famous, 'corkscrew' at Laguna Seca where he was competed in the Atlantic Series
But his effort was rewarded with a Champ Car ride as mention previously. A top ten with a tail end team was reward for a good season.
He is also a nice guy and a hard worker. Every now and then he may leave his 'people' in a state of confusion but he is genuine and he gets down to business.
He is dazzled by the pretty lights of the motorsport game and he lists one of his favourite things as his dog ‘Buddy’.
But beyond that, he doesn’t like to talk about himself. When pressed for further detail about his personal life, Andreas mentioned that “this won’t be easy to do it quick! Off the track is actually always busy, always working my career, and always helping out my family whenever and wherever I can.”
Andreas has never forgotten who helped him in his career and as his career works forward, we hope in the ALMS or other sportscar series, he will remember who brought him there.