Further information to follow....

Q: What's the top speed of your F3 racing car?

RB: To be honest, I'm not sure. The car can do about 160mph on a good straight, but as to its ultimate top speed I'm not sure.

Q: What's the best and worst things about racing?

RB: The best thing is being out on the track, pushing as hard as you can and racing against other drivers. When you're out there nothing else exists. It's a bit zen like. The worst thing is the constant search for financial backing. It takes your focus off racing, and that's all you should be thinking about. I'm lucky that I have people to help me with finding sponsors, in particular Gary Pepper, who has stuck by me through thick and thin! 

Q: How did you start racing?

RB: I read an interview with Eddie Irvine in a magazine and thought why not? I contacted John Mahon, who was running Formula Vee's and it all just went from there.

Q: Are you ever scared?

RB: Sometimes you are a little nervous before a race. I usually find that once the helmet's on and the engine starts I'm concentrating so hard that I have no time to be scared.

Q: What's your favourtie food and drink?

RB: It's probably a shocking admission for a racing driver, but my favourite food has to be fried chicken. It's just so good. Favourite drink at the moment is Ribena. It's a great way to cut down your sugar intake, no more soft drinks for me. 

Q: Who are your racing heros?

RB: In no particular order:

• Ayrton Senna (total genius)
• Juan Manuel Fangio (again, total genius)
• Tazio Nuvolari (also total genius)
• Stirling Moss (great driver, classy guy)
• Gilles Villeneuve (flawed but brilliant)
• Tommy Byrne (probably the greatest Irish racing driver)
• Eddie Irvine (thanks for all the laughs Eddie, you are missed!)
• Yvan Muller (the best touring car driver in the world)
• Alex Zanardi (for his indycar races and his heroic comeback)
• Valentino Rossi (he may only be on two wheels but he's a massive talent)

Q: Where do you see your racing career going in the next ten years?

RB: Its hard to know. I hope to end up in touring cars or sportscars. LeMans is something I'd like to do. I was close to a deal to race a prototype this season but it may have to wait until next year.

Q: Do you have any racing superstitions?

RB: Not really, although for some reason I usually get into the car from the right hand side, left leg first. I don't know why. I'd also never use an all black helmet, I've heard they're unlucky.

Q: Are you going to race for Ireland in A1GP?

RB: It's unlikely. the Irish team don't hold driver trials like other nations. I'm currently focusing on my own racing, but if I was offered a chance I would have to seriously consider it. 

Q: Who came up with your helmet design?

RB: I came up with it myself. The background is a gray checkered flag overlaid with a red band in the shape of the letter R, for Robert. On the back is a yellow lightening flash, which is a nod to the film 'The Natural'.

Keep your questions coming and we will try and get Robert to answer as many of them as we can.

]]> http://www.robertblock.net/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1145268912&archive= Robert's one day test in Kirkistown, Northern Ireland, went smoothly. The Dubliner completed around 80 laps of the ultra fast circuit while driving AMG Motorsports Van Diemen Formula Ford. Team owner Alan McGarrity was impressed with Robert's pace and consistency. It had been over a year since Robert raced at Kirkistown and the track hadn't lost any of it's appeal.

"I love this place, the feeling of speed around here is phenomenal! I have to admit it took time to get used to the chicane again, it's quite tricky and is the key to a good lap, but after a while I was back in the swing of things" said Robert who was delighted to be given the opportunity to drive for AMG. "Alan runs the most professional set up in Ireland. It's always great to work with him."

Robert's plans for 2006 have still to be decided. Current offers include a return to Asian Formula 3 or a chance to race in a top line UK based championship. More details to follow.

"Alan McGarrity contacted me and asked if I wanted a run in his Formula Ford and I just jumped at the chance. He's the smartest guy in Irish motorsport and to drive for him at any time is a fantastic learning experience" said Robert. They previously worked together in 2004 when Alan was Robert's driver coach.

News from the test will be posted at the end of next week.

Robert is still in negotiations with sponsors and teams in relation to his 2006 racing campaign, more news as it happens.

Excerpts from the article include:

“….. Racing is incredibly expensive but I don’t worry about spending money on it…. I’m building a possible future.”

“….. you have to do things while you’re young and have the chance. Success might not come but the journey is well worth the money.”

“Traveling around the world , standing up on the podium next to the beautiful models…. Makes it all worthwhile.”

“Irish people saved for generations and are now enjoying their affluence”

Robert is currently in preparations for his return to Asia in September for his next race in Indonesia.

Despite this, Robert was able to impress in the wet conditions and felt happy with the car after the second test day was over. In qualifying, Robert managed fourth, and felt that a strong finish was on the cards. "My goal that weekend was to finish both races, and with my grid position I knew that as long as I had a good start I could consolidate my position during the race distance"

Robert's start was perfect and he jumped a few places off the line but fell back to fourth behind Lee Farrell at the first corner when he was boxed out on the outside of turn one. He later passed Farrell when his fellow Irish driver developed electrical problems. "The team told me I was in third and I was ecstatic. The last couple of laps I had to back off so as I didn't go off the track. I was pushing so hard to hold onto third. The car was perfect and it just brought me home"

He was joined on the podium by Greg Murphy and Moreno Sorprapto his Denso/Hanjin JF3 team-mate.

For Sunday's race Robert started in third position, but gear selection problems left him stalled on the grid. He was pushed into the pit lane where he was able to restart and began to put in his best times of the weekend. "I was so angry with myself, I just drove like a man possessed. I wanted to finish the race but I also wanted a good result. I caught up with Hideaki (Machida) at the end and if there was another lap I would have had third, but fourth place is better than nothing, and it brings points to the team"

Overall it was a good weekend for Robert, and he enjoyed his first taste of Asian Formula Three. "Everyone made me feel very welcome. Richard Joson, Eric, Denny and all the guys were great and they gave me the time to get used to the car at my own pace. I also have to thank JP Tuason for his coaching and technical knowhow. Eddie Pena has put together a great championship which will only go from strength to strength. Championships in Europe should sit up and take notice. They could learn a lot from how AF3 is run and how it deals with it's drivers"

The next round of the championship is in Sentul in Indonesia.

"I am really excited to have the chance to race at such a great track. Hopefully I will be able to put on a good show for the locals and keep the team happy" said Robert. When asked about his expectations for the upcoming race he said: "...I'm not going to think about the result too much. I just need to finish both races and score points. If I can get on the podium it would be fantastic, but we have to see how things go"

The Zhuhai races are on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th of June. For more information see www.asianf3.net or check robertblock.net for updates.

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