Experience and speed

Robert "Bob" Wollek has won just about everything imaginable in the world sportscar arena, bar one race: Le Mans. Back in 1978, and more recently in 1995 (Courage-Porsche) and 1996 (works 911 GT1), he finished second at La Sarthe.

"Brilliant Bob" joined the motorsport scene via an extremely quick detour. As a member of the French national ski team he became the 1966 student world champion. A year later he swapped skis for racing tires and immediately won his first rally. Wollek then switched from rough rally roads to street circuits. Strengthened by experiences in Formula 3, the capable Frenchman turned his attention to the Formula 2 Championship from 1971 to 1973, and during this time also drove for Ron Dennis's successful team.

In the early seventies Wollek discovered his love for racing GT and sportscars, beginning a long and amicable liaison with Porsche. He experienced the development of Porsche racing cars - everything from Group 4 and Group 5 to the Group C World Championship and today's GT1 racing cars.

Bob Wollek drove predominantly for the experienced and successful Porsche customer team of Reinhold Joest. The Joest-Wollek-Porsche combination proved successful in international motorsport competition. Being familiar with all GTs and sports cars that came out of Weissach since the early seventies, he was one of the few able to handle the extremely challenging Porsche 935 and 962 racing cars. Whether in wet or dry conditions, the Frenchman drove these cars at the limit, seemingly with his eyes closed.

Wollek, who until recently owned a car dealership, doesn't keep a list of his successes. For him, motorsport is his passion. He has endeared himself to all at Porsche with his humble and reserved nature, and he is spoken of there with fondness and respect.

Wollek has dedicated himself this season to testing and developing the new Porsche 911 GT1. At the FIA GT Championship rounds in Dijon (F) and Budapest (H) Wollek will replace Uwe Alzen, who fulfills his obligations as Opel works driver in the ADAC Super Touring Championship.

Bob Wollek - Personal:

Born: November 4,1943 in Strasbourg (F)

Lives in: Berstett / Strasbourg (F)

Family status: married

Hobbies: skiing, cycling

Favorite dish: everything really; fish, vegetables, pasta

Favorite drink: a good glass of red wine

Favorite music: The sounds from my youth, Rock n' Roll, Jazz

Favorite reading: newspapers; books about early history, old high cultures like Rome, Athens, and historic figures like Napoleon and Leonardo da Vinci

Film/ favorite actor; movie: If at all, Jean Gabin and his movie "Quai des brunes"

Dream job if not racing driver: farmer, wine-grower

The most beautiful place on earth: all places where people live in peace

Favorite cities: I hate cities

Impressive people outside racing: I like athletes for their high motivation. I admire Jean-Claude Killy or Lauda who introduced new elements into their sport.

Your dream rival: The next overtaking manoeuvre is the next challenge.

Your favorite track in a GT: Nürburgring - the new circuit as well

Your best Porsche experience: When Jochen Mass asked me at the 1986 Daytona 24 Hours if I would like to drive the works-962 for the entire season.

Bob Wollek - Career:

Since 1976:	Seven times winner of the Porsche Cup
1982:	German Racing Championship, 1st place
1983:	German Racing Championship, 1st place (Porsche 936C) European Endurance Championship, 1st place (Porsche 956) Overall winner of Daytona 24 Hours (USA) (Porsche 962)
1984:	1st place in Sebring 12 Hours (USA) (Porsche 962)
1985:	Overall winner of Daytona 24 Hours (Porsche 962)
1989:	Overall winner of Daytona 24 Hours (Porsche 962)
1991:	Overall winner of Daytona 24 Hours (Porsche 962)
1994:	1st place in Sebring 12 Hours (USA) (Porsche 962)
1995:	2nd place in the Daytona 24 Hours (Porsche 962) 2nd place in the Le mans 24 Hours (Courage Porsche)
1996:	2nd place in the Daytona 24 Hours (Ferrari SP 333) 2nd place in the Le mans 24 Hours (Porsche 911 GT2)
1997:	Porsche works driver in FIA GT Championship and in the Le mans 24 Hours Winner (GT2 Class) Sebring12 Hours (Porsche 911 GT2)
1998:	Porsche works driver in FIA GT Championship and the Le Mans 24 Hours