Interview with Team Ecario
The countdown to the 2006 Gumball 3000 rally is started. Next week they will be expecting more then 200.000 people who will be watching the amazing kick off!
Team Ecario is entering the US leg with there Nissan 350Z. You can read a short interview of the Team here.
1. What got you started racing in the Gumball?
-I started to follow the Gumball in 1999. It’s the first year I have the time and the money to participate to this great event.
2. What attracted you to the race and what made you want to enter?
-Meeting incredible people from different countries and from different horizons, sometime a little bit crazy
3. Have you raced in the Gumball before? If you have, when and what did you race?
-Nope, first time
4. How long have you been racing cars?
-Well since I was able to drive (14 yrs old) and race on track.
5. Do you think the entry fee is worth the experience?
-Excellent question, I think the Gumball is an incredible event and you have only few places. From my point of view the price is right, You always have several ways of raising money with sponsors.
6. How long does it usually take to build a car for the race?
-Well my Porsche 911 was ready. I had to buy a brand new car after my accident. I’m finishing building the car as I’m typing this message. Everything should be ready a week before the rally starts. Normally, I need 4 months from the day I select the parts and the day I first test the car. 5 months if I need to modify or adjust some parts.
7. Do you recommend a certain make and model?
-You can race with a high profile car such as a Ferrari, Porsche, Noble. The most important is to drive a reliable car, a low profile car. Cops are not going to stop a low profile car. They would prefer to go for the exotic car. It doesn’t mean the low profile car will stay behind. With the actual modifications I did on the Ecario 350Z I said bye bye to few Porsche’s and Ferrari’s on the local highways.
8. What is more important to focus on, engine performance or suspension modifications?
-The most important is to build a reliable engine. You will definitely push the car to the limits during the rally.
9. What are some of the craziest modifications you have seen or done to rides?
-Twin turbo with NOS on a 350Z.
10. Tell me about the vehicle you’re entering in the Gumball with.
-It’s not my official ride. The Ecario 911 got into an accident few weeks ago on a wet highway. The car won’t be fixed in time for the rally so I had to buy a new ride. I decided to go for the brand new 2006 Nissan 350Z. This is a great and reliable car. I’m currently working with several performance shops here in the Bay Area and in LA. I still need to bring the car in LA for the dyno testings. The final test will be on the highway 5 coming back from LA to the bay area at full gumball speed.
11. What are the technical specifications of the car? Intake, exhaust, engine components, springs, shocks, brakes, drivetrain/transmission, etc.
-Right now everything is still secret and under NDA because of sponsorship agreement. Believe me it will be a rocket on the road…
12. Are you bringing anybody with you? Is there a reason why you selected that particular individual?
-Yes I’m bringing with me my fashion consultant (aka my fiance). We’re a great team. I selected Anne Claire because she is a great co-pilot, she can easily cry in front of cops, she is very good with the radar detector/laser jammer. She always finds shortcuts. She is the best co-pilot. To finish she is very cute !
13. Are you out to complete the challenge or to win?
-First of all I’m here to complete the challenge and meet with all the other Gumballers. But if I have an occasion to show what the Ecario 350Z is made off, I will be there and waiting for challenges…
14. What advice could you give to people who would be interested in racing in the Gumball?
-Timing and preparation are the key. Don’t drive your 911 on a wet highway. You have to schedule the preparation of your car otherwise the car won’t be ready. Try to get sponsors to help you with the entrance fees. Put in place agreement with performance shops to get cheap or free parts against media exposure.