Under the Lid – Antti Buri

News | November 26, 2018

Reigning TCE European Champion and TCR-class Champion of the Continents Antti Buri has also claimed titles in British Formula Ford and the Porsche GT3 Cup Finland during the course his career. He’s also come face-to-face with a bird on-track…

Name?

“Antti Buri.”

Age? You can lie about that if you want…

“I’m still 29.”

Where and when was your first ever car race, and how old were you?

“I think I was 16, 17, 18…no, before I was 18. It was in Finland and it was a rally-sprint event, where you drive a special stage. So, like a rally, but you only drive one stage.”

What is the best moment of your racing career so far?

“Probably winning [British] Formula Ford and the Festival. 2012 was a pretty awesome season!”

Which is your favourite circuit and why?

“That’s a tough one, because there are so many good ones. I would say…it always helps to have good memories, so Spa and Nürburgring.”

Describe the strangest thing that’s ever happened to you at a motor race …

“A lot has happened, maybe not great for an interview, but once during a race, I was hit by a bird when driving in Formula Ford. A small bird but it was still pretty disgusting!”

Describe your helmet design to us, and what it signifies…

“It’s completely black. I haven’t painted it yet, so I’m afraid there isn’t much to say about it.”

What is your greatest strength?

“I think technical knowledge of the car. I can put together what is wrong or understand what is happening with our car quite quickly.”

If Hollywood made a movie about you, who would play you and why?

“Matt Damon. I don’t know why, that’s just the first name that pops into my head!”

What would you like to achieve before retiring?

“Let’s hope I don’t retire any time soon, but my goal is to compete in the World Touring Car Cup (WTCR). Competing in there and winning it is my goal.”

Tell us a random fact about yourself that your fans might not know…

“I don’t know if I have fans!” – You do Antti. Believe us! – “There is this thing, sometimes I need to drive the truck to the track because I have the licence. That can be quite fun.”

Finally, what do you enjoy most about competing in the 24H SERIES?

“Winning, for sure!”

Antti Buri was speaking with Koen Wiesman and James Gent at the 2018 Hankook 12H SPA. Images courtesy of Petr Frýba. You can also check out this story in the 2019 Hankook 24H DUBAI magazine, available for download at the link below.

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