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ALMS: Heroes of the ALMS: Tom Kristensen
Written by: John Dagys   
03/21/2009
Sebring, FL
 


This is the first in a series of features that will be brought to you at every American Le Mans Series round this season, focusing on one of the heroes within the ALMS paddock. Brought to you by Michelin.

Tom Kristensen is best known for his record eight overall victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but he's also enjoyed success in the American Le Mans Series, most notably at Sebring. (LAT) » More Photos
 Over the past decade, one name has stood out in the endurance racing circle. He's shattered records, re-written the history books and has been at the top of his game in every car he's strapped himself into. Tom Kristensen is a living legend of sports car racing and a hero of the American Le Mans Series.

Kristensen's humbling beginnings came in 1999 at the Twelve Hours of Sebring, where he co-drove a BMW V12 LMR to the overall victory. It was the Series' inaugural race, and now eleven years later, the ALMS celebrates its 100th event on Saturday.

It’s fitting that the jovial, but focused racer is once again on the grid this year to tackle another Sebring classic, with Kristensen in pursuit of his fifth overall victory in the around-the-clock marathon. But his claim to fame has come in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the crown jewel of endurance racing.

In only twelve starts, the Dane has racked up eight overall victories, undeniably making him the king of Circuit de La Sarthe. Even more remarkable is the fact that the wins came in four distinctly different cars from three manufacturers.

Whether his debut win in a Joest Racing TWR Porsche in 1997, or his three-peat with the factory Audi R8, or his triumphant one-off victory with the Bentley Boys in 2003, they all hold a special place in Kristensen's
heart. But without a doubt, one of his most memorable moments came in 2008, at the wheel of the diesel-powered Audi R10 TDI.

"It was a victory which was not meant to be, in terms of performance," Kristensen said. "Everyone said that we would be walked over by Peugeot. We never wanted to hear that. We were just on it. It was a human element beating the machine."

The never-say-die attitude from Audi Sport Team Joest helped put Kristensen and co-drivers Allan McNish and Dindo Capello on the top step of the podium, in what was a mixed-condition race that ended up favoring the versatile Audi.

Kristensen has been a part of Audi's Le Mans driving line-up since 2000, with the exception of the Joest-supported Bentley program in 2003. (LAT) » More Photos
 On top of his legendary status at Le Mans, Kristensen has undoubtedly made a mark for himself in the States, whether through his full-season drives or one-offs at Sebring. Before completing two full-season stints in the ALMS, Kristensen was a part of history again, winning the Twelve Hours of Sebring in the Audi R8's debut race in 2000.

It wasn't until the following year when the Dane began making some lasting impressions on the competition. Teaming with Capello, they captured two wins in 2001, but also had some heartbreaking moments. One particular weekend to forget came at Mosport in August.

"It was really a bad race for us," Capello recalled. "After we had the pole, I crashed on the first lap. We had lost the race already, but when he got in the car, I felt sorry for Tom because the race was gone. Then after a few laps, he crashed really hard. At the end of the race I said in a joking manner, 'you did what I did, and we now can't blame each other!'"

Click Here For a Photo Retrospective of Tom Kristensen

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