1/2 Job van Uitert’s team at the blue car. (Photo: Clement Marin)
What is it like to participate in one of the most famous car races in the world? Job van Uitert (24) from Dongen was behind the wheel during the 24 hours of Le Mans last weekend. “350,000 spectators along the side made a lot of noise. The feeling when you are in the car is indescribable.”
The world-famous car race was not new to Job, as he was already participating for the fifth time. This year’s edition was extra special, because the first race was held on the circuit 100 years ago. “It’s been busy all week at Le Mans, with an impressive parade on Friday. It’s incredible to see so many people cheering you along the side.”
“The stage was in sight.”
Two years ago he finished second, this year things didn’t go according to plan with his team Panis Racing. “We were in third or fourth for most of the race, but we also ran in second for a while. The podium was in sight, but with about an hour to go the battery died. That cost us 40 minutes and with that a good classification. Due to the rain, many cars had fallen out earlier, so that we eventually finished fourteenth.”
The Dongenaar is satisfied with his own performance. “I felt good and fit and drove faster than other teams, even though we didn’t have the fastest car. But you don’t do it alone, it’s a team sport. My teammates struggled with the weather conditions at times. very easy as an outsider, but in racing there are many things involved to be at the top.”
“There’s so much noise, it’s hard to sleep.”
Job and his teammates Tijmen van der Helm and Manuel Maldonado each got into the car for two hours at the start of the race. In the end, the man from Brabant was the fastest and fittest and spent a total of 10.5 hours behind the wheel. “Participating in Le Mans is incredibly hard. You can compare it to running 4 half marathons in 24 hours. During the times when you are not driving, you eat something, discuss things, get a massage and try to rest. But all the noise makes sleeping very difficult. I’ve had better nights.”
To be fit at the start, he invests a lot of time in his sport. “I could make a living from motorsport, but I like to be busy. That’s why I have a job besides racing. When I’m not at work or in the car, I try to stay as fit as possible. There are also regular activities for sponsors, for example. I can say that it is quite busy.”
“My goal is to win Le Mans.”
De Dongenaar is addicted to high speeds. As a child he loved to get into the kart and that love for racing has never disappeared. He has been competing in the ELMS racing class for several years now. There are still five races of four hours each scheduled for this season. “In every season, the 24 hours of Le Mans is the absolute sporting highlight. My ultimate goal is and remains the same: to win Le Mans. I will give everything for that.”
