It has just been a matter of weeks since the Quinns purchased the ailing but iconic Darrel Lea Chocolates with Klark being put in charge to reverse the fortunes of the company.  That didn’t stop him from dominating the Sargent Security Australian GT Championship round on the streets of the Gold Coast.  Klark led ever session, recording two wins from two races.  We caught up with him after the event.

Hi Klark, thanks for joining me, a great weekend for you, topping every session, including two race wins from the two races.  How was it from your perspective?

It couldn’t have been better.  I came into the weekend fairly confident that we could do a good job here and that the Porsche was suited to the Indy track.  I wasn’t expecting to go that well as we have some tough competition, with Thomas Jager coming in this weekend and the other guys too – quick and experienced drivers.  To come away with topping all sessions – I was pretty happy.

Did a relative lack of track time – a 20 minute practice and 20 minute qualifying only before the races help you over the weekend as you have driven the old track in the past?

There is no doubt that the home town advantage helped though I haven’t been on the Gold Coast for a few years but just knowing the streets of Surfers certainly helps a lot.  I was pretty much on the pace from the get-go.  Once you love a track like that you never forget it.  I have never driven on the short circuit before – I had only been on the long Indy circuit.  I adapted to it fairly quickly as I knew the way round it pretty well.

I love concrete walls and pushing the Porsches to the edge of those walls.  It is a lot more fun than driving on an open circuit where you have nothing to hit if you get it wrong.  It adds a lot of excitement to your day.

I love concrete walls and pushing the Porsches to the edge of those walls.  It is a lot more fun than driving on an open circuit where you have nothing to hit if you get it wrong.  It adds a lot of excitement to your day.

How did you go avoiding the high curbs – we saw the Mercedes jump the curbs?

Everything was on the extreme.  It was very hot and the brakes were hot – and there if you out brake yourself it is never a good outcome.  I think that is what happened to the Mercedes – they out braked themselves trying to do some impressive lap times.  You can only brake so late until you start getting into trouble.  I didn’t have too many issues there and fortunately when you are at the front you can control the pace and control what the other guys are doing.  We were never in the position that we had to stress the car that much but the Porsche does handle the curbs and the streets very well.

Going into the next and final round at Homebush, it is another street race with concrete walls and curbs everywhere, I am pretty confident that the Porsche will have what it takes.

The Championship gap is now down to three points, how do you mentally prepare for the final round?

Mate, I don’t think about racing until the day I get there.  For the rest of the time, during the weeks, I am busy at work so nothing will change from that perspective.  I will be busy making what I make, doing what I do and when the time comes I will start thinking about the racing and the Championship.  I try not to let anything pressure me too much.  I’ll go in with no expectations but to do what I need to do – give it 100% and if we come out on top – fantastic; if we don’t – we can’t say we didn’t try.  I think it is really exciting for the Championship to be within three points for the final round and it will be really exciting for the whole category.  I am sure if it goes down to the final race – three points is nothing.  Everything will count – from qualifying to the races.  Lots of pressure but I won’t feel it as I am happy with my day job – it gives me enough pressure!

Thanks Klark – again congratulations on your Gold Coast success and best of luck for Sydney.

Thanks.

or more information on the Australian GT Round at the Gold Coast, see this article at Speedtv.com

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Interview by Sam Tickell, October 2012

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