We're pleased to bring you the Women of pressdog.com, the multi-part holiday gift from the ladies connected to racing who are friends of the p-dog.
Today's participant has caused much frothing with her FIVE wins in Atlantics and third-place points finish in 2009. For a while there it looked like Simona De Silvestro might actually take the title. The 21-year-old Swiss driver came up through the Formula BMW USA series and Formula Renault 2000 Championship in Italy. She's also raced in the French Formula A Championship and various karting events.
Simona has a cadre of loyal fans and popped squarely onto the pdog radar when she tested with HVM/Team Stargate Worlds in December in a fully decaled, tweaked out Dallara. Hmmmm.
Let's giddy up to world of the Thun, Switzerland, native who now lives in Phoenix (holy climate change!). Thanks to Star Gate Worlds' PR operative David Martinez and HVM's PR Czarina Shari Spiewak for connecting me with "Sim." Represent, Simona ...
pressdog: How did you get interested in racing?
Simona: I got interested in racing from my dad he has a dealership here in Switzerland so I was always around cars. The racing bug started when he did a go kart demo on the parking and I wanted to drive and could not reach the pedals. I was crying so much that he finally gave up and bought me a kart later.
pressdog: Describe your racing style.
Simona: I think it is really clean but can be aggressive.
pressdog: What has been the key to your success in Atlantics?
Simona: You know this year I realized that I have to give a 100% outside and inside the car I worked a lot on myself and tried to learn as much as I can. Team Stargate helped me a lot too with believing in me and success came with a lot of hard work.
pressdog: Who was your racing idol as a kid?
Simona: Michael Schumacher.
pressdog: Have you ever driven an oval? If you haven't are you freaked out at the prospect? If you have, what did you like, dislike.
Simona: I have never driven an oval yet. I m not freaked out about it it's just gonna be a new challenge, but I looking forward to it!
pressdog: What's next for Simona? IndyCar? Firestone Indy Lights?
Simona:We are working very hard to try to be in IndyCars next year.
pressdog: What, if anything, have you learned from the careers of other female drivers like Sarah Fisher and Danica Patrick?
Simona: Not really, I m trying to do my own thing.
pressdog: Bestest Christmas present ever:
Simona: Racing stuff.
pressdog: What is Christmas like in Switzerland? Is it like living in a holiday card or what?
Simona: Hahaha pretty much.
pressdog: What's a popular perception of Switzerland that makes you laugh?
Simona: People think we live on the mountain like Hiedi on the Alp.
pressdog: What are your favorite memories of Chirstmas as a child?
Simona: Decorating the Xmas tree with my parents.
pressdog: When do you start getting your schwerve back on for the next season?
Simona: Jan. 1 is back to hard work.
pressdog: Do you read all the @simdesilvestro replies to your Twitter stream? If yes, does anything in there shock/disturb you?
Simona: I do and I'm really thankful for have so many people following my journey in racing. I have not had any disturbing tweets yet. Don't forget our team Stargate Worlds Twitter also at @TeamSGW.
pressdog: Movie that always makes you laugh:
Simona: Ice age.
pressdog: Top of Simona?s Christmas wish list this year (no fair saying "more sponsors" or "World peace"):
Simona: To be Rookie of the Year in Indycar.
pressdog: On New Year?s Eve, are you more likely to be the designated driver or drive-ee?
Simona: Designated driver.
pressdog: During holiday family times do you get a lot of racing-related questions or do they treat you like Simona the cousin, niece, etc.
Simona: Still the driver.
pressdog: Do you have a real Christmas tree or a fake one? How do you feel about holiday decorations? Griswold (insane amounts) or minimalist? Real tree.
Simona: In
between.
pressdog: Do you have a significant other? If so, will you name names? What does he want for want for Christmas (no fair saying "more sponsors for Simona" or "World Peace").
Simona: No.
pressdog: Any special holiday traditions (for example, my family always watches the movie Christmas Vacation on Christmas Eve).
Simona: I buy the tree because if my mom does we will end up with a tiny one.
Hopefully she'll get a ride next season. She should be really good at the Road/Street courses. Mabye she could even win one, it might make the Barber race almost worth watching.
Posted by: Dylan | December 21, 2009 at 03:25 PM
I'm glad you pointed out the level of preparation that went into her test at Sebring. It sounds like she is seriously looking to be in the IICS next year.
Posted by: Tom | December 22, 2009 at 11:13 AM
In delay there lies no plenty , Then come kiss me , sweet and twenty , Youth's a stuff that will not endure .Do you understand?
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