Reinhold Joest has made history, He is not only a member of an exclusive club, he is the chairman of the board. Under his management, Joest Racing has seven overall victories at Le Mans. A cursory check of the results at le circuit La Sarthe over the last 30 years will show that Joest has been a major force and not only as part of a team. Reinhold Joest also has accomplishments as a driver. He has lived in the top 10 year after year. Joest's best finish as a driver, that of second overall, is something that still is a personal disappointment to him. Such is the competitive fire that burns inside the man who is regarded by many as the best that ever brought a team to les 24 heures du man. However, winning Le Mans, while significant for Joest, was only one race on the calendar for the team. Joest and Audi had a pair of championship titles to defend in American Le Mans Series. This was done in typical Joest style and after the season in the U.S. was wrapped up, Reinhold Joest took time to look back at his team's historic year. A few excerpts...
ec: Have you had time to reflect back on your accomplishments, especially with the record-setting performance at Le Mans. Has it all set in?
Joest: Yes. I think this is the best season for our career. And that means three times winning Sebring, three times at Le Mans and Petit Le Mans at Atlanta. So this was fantastic for us and for Audi. And the amazing thing is we won Le Mans three times with the same drivers.
ec: The driving line up is certainly is a record within itself. But more importantly for you're having your own team at Le Mans, you've now eclipsed all the greatest sports racing car managers that have ever been to Le Mans. You're number one.
Joest: Yes. That means seven times at Le Mans. Four times with Porsche and three with Audi. We also worked closely with Porsche in 1994 with the Dauer 962 and I was pleased for our team with that effort to help Porsche win that year. And the double wins in 1984-85 and then 1996-97 and to beat the factory teams. It is a good feeling.
ec: The first time you drove with a GT40 at Le Mans, did you ever think that, granted your best finish was second for you as a driver, but as a team manager, you would have all the records yourself. This is pretty heavy company, teams run by legends such as John Wyer.
Joest: You are right. So maybe we're better than the John Wyer team, I'm not so sure. (laughs) With my experience and what I did in Le Mans as a driver has helped a lot with my career. So I was not lucky enough to win Le Mans, but I was always really near, but luck was not with me.
ec: A number of drivers have tried to make the transition to team management after their careers are over. Few succeed in the manner that you have.
Joest: Yes, it is interesting. I always tried as a driver to have the best car and team as possible. These were decisions that I made before I would drive, as there is no time to consider team matters while driving. Maybe I am a better manager for that. (laughs)
ec: The funny thing is, with the success with Porsche and then with Audi, the overriding factor is that it's Joest Racing. There's never been any question that you're at the helm, that it's your show. You have cooperation within your team and with the manufacturer, but the public perception whether that you intended or not, is that it's Joest.
Joest: That is correct. Someone made T-shirts that said "Joest Do It" (laughs) but it was not me.
ec: Almost to the point that, embarrassing as it sounds, is that your success eclipses that of your own drivers.
Joest: What can I say? Everything is done for one reason and that is to win. Audi is happy and the team is happy and I'm very happy. So I wait for the new season. It is what I do. Maybe it is because I have been around for so long and racing is all I want to do. I really don't know the reason but I would not change anything. (laughs)
ec: The other teams that look at your operation see it simply a matter of testing and preparation, but it is more than that. Is there a Joest philosophy? The same way that Penske in the U.S. is considered?
Joest: You must always walk the fine line, you know? Company preparation, the racing strategy, all the things, what you do, and you know everything very well. All the things I have learned over the years, who you can trust. Partnerships of the moment that will succeed. There is no secret but you have to understand what you are doing. Most of my team has been with me since I started. That is a big reason for our success.
ec: Well, now it's the end of another year, obviously the most successful year in your career. What are your plans for 2003?
Joest: I'm sure I am at the age to retire, but for me it's too early.
ec: There's no way that you'll be sitting around the house doing nothing. You'll be calling the shots until you die and even then I wonder how you will still find a way to win.
Joest: Yes. That would be a challenge, for me racing is what I have to do. There really is nothing else I would like to do.
ec: The rumor going around is that you'll possibly be running the Bentley operation at Le Mans.
Joest: Every year the same procedure and stories. The company makes decisions always at the end of November. Then after the race at the end of November, we know what the team will be doing. Then call me and I will tell you what we're doing next year. It could be a different story. (laughs)
ec: Well, you've always been very honest about that. Do you think with how strong Audi has been and wanting to supply cars to private teams, that that formula can be as successful as Porsche when they used to sell race cars to private teams?
Joest: Maybe this is a good idea. You see the Champion team? They did a very good job this year, especially in the last race. So why not? More cars, more action. It would be very good for the ALMS and also for Audi. Porsche showed with the 956 and 962 that it could be good racing.
ec: There's no doubt one of the things that has occurred is Audi and your team have raised the level for success so high now that almost nothing can be given to chance. A new car has to be phenomenal to beat the R8. I believe you've never had an engine failure with the R8 in its current form, that it's never really suffered a mechanical breakdown. Joest: That is the secret thing from Audi. There's never been a problem with the engine or gearbox or anything. It's very good. I can say that we never thought it would be this successful because some many things can happen during a race like Le Mans. You see that is why testing is so important with so many parts that can fail during a race. Our team has worked very well with Audi and the results are there.
ec: It was a phenomenal performance by you and your team this year.