» Portrait Marc Basseng
» Five questions to Marc Basseng

Portrait Marc Basseng

That Marc Basseng is multi-talented is evident from his C.V. Racing as guest driver for the HISAQ® Competition
Team in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup round at the Nürburgring this weekend, he has thoroughly proven himself
in various motorsport disciplines.

Basseng’s career began in time-honoured fashion: in karting. However, by 1997 the then 18-year old Basseng
had made his debut in the Porsche Supercup and Porsche Carrera Cup as a Porsche Junior Driver. Until 1999 he
remained faithful to these one-make series, becoming one of their stars.

Concurrently he earned his spurs in long-distance races, going on to become a veteran in the discipline. In the
BFGoodrich Endurance Championship, Basseng celebrated numerous victories, starring particularly in classic
24 Hour events. He scored third place overall in this year’s edition on the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife, having
earlier won his class in the legendary Daytona 24 Hour Race.

In 2002/3 Basseng acted as Team Manager for RS-Line Motorsport. Since then the 28-year old has imparted his
knowledge as Expert Commentator on Premiere’s broadcasts of Porsche’s one-make championships, where he
combines analysis with an insight born of experience. At the Nürburgring Basseng celebrates his return to the
Porsche Supercup as Guest Driver for HISAQ® Competition.

Five questions to Marc Basseng

Question: At the Nürburgring you will take the start as guest driver for HISAQ® Competition. What are your
expectations?

Marc Basseng: I hope primarily to work well with the team, so as to be in a position to feel comfortable with
the car out on the circuit. It is lot more difficult to provide prognosis on the sporting side. Although I am well
acquainted with these cars, the level of competition in the Porsche Supercup is extremely high and racing
on F1-type rubber will be a new experience for me. To gain a good Qualifying position will be vital, and just
one aspect which I will be working towards. I certainly do not intend starting at the back, but with HISAQ®
Competition that is unlikely.

Question: In 2006 your team-mate in the Porsche Carrera Cup was Richard Westbrook. Your thoughts on
working beside him again?

Marc Basseng: I am really looking forward to racing with Richard again. He is a super guy, who, together with
Uwe Alzen, must be considered the best driver of a Cup car. To race with him is an honour. There is no better
tutor in Porsche Supercar than Richard.

Question: Will racing at the Nürburgring for HISAQ® Competition be a particularly special experience?

Marc Basseng: The Nürburgring is my home circuit. For example, my mother lives 20 minutes away. Over the
past four years I have taken 14 overall victories in the Endurance Championship. However, it will be a little
unusual to turn left in the Coca Cola Curve, then head right towards the start/finish line. At that point I am
accustomed to preparing for another 20-kilometre lap. The Mercedes Arena and the middle sector of the
circuit are known to me back to front, but the approach in endurance cars is totally different. So, although I
know the layout of the circuit, I doubt whether it will benefit me much.

Question: You have raced in the Porsche Supercup and commentated on the series’ as TV Expert. What do you
consider to be the main attractions in the Porsche Supercup?

Marc Basseng: This weekend the main thing will be the opportunity I have been offered of experiencing the
race ‘live’ rather than reporting on it. I will have access to the drivers and team managers, and be in a position
to gain a better insight into the series. And, of course it is an honour to race for the team currently leading the
championship. A race driver could not wish for more.

Question: How do you rate the performance of HISAQ® Competition?

Marc Basseng: HISAQ® Competition’s season to date has been absolutely remarkable. From the outset the
team has displayed professionalism of the highest order. It is obvious that the team has been structured
totally professionally, with no trace whatsoever that it is a new team. At the mid-way point of its first season,
HISAQ® Competition has established itself as a top team.