Didier Theys

Didier Theys
Nationality	Belgian
Born	19 October 1956 (1956-10-19) (age 55)

Didier Theys (born 19 October 1956^[1]) is an Belgian sports car driver.^[2] He is a two-time overall winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona (1998 and 2002);^[3] a winner of the 12 Hours of Sebring (1998);^[4] the Sports Racing Prototype driver champion of the Grand-American Road Racing Association (2002)^[5] and the winner of the 24 Hours of Spa (1987 in a factory BMW).^[6] He was also the polesitter (1996) and a podium finisher at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (1997, 1998 and 1999). The podium finish in 1999 was a third overall in the factory Audi R8R with co-drivers Emanuele Pirro and Frank Biela.^[7] Theys’ first appearance at Le Mans was in 1982, while his last start in the world’s most famous endurance sports car race came 20 years later in 2002.

Theys’ 1998 victories at Daytona and Sebring came in the Kevin Doran-prepared MOMO Ferrari with co-drivers Mauro Baldi, Arie Luyendyk and Giampiero Moretti.^[8] His 2002 Daytona victory came in the Doran Lista Dallara Judd with co-drivers Baldi, Fredy Lienhard and Max Papis.^[9]

His 1998 season was a record-setter, as in addition to winning Daytona and Sebring, Theys also won the Six Hours of Watkins Glen. He also finished second overall in the F.I.A. World Sports Car Championship that year, winning at Paul Ricard, France.

He has the most professional victories of anyone in a Ferrari 333 SP with 10.

In addition to his Grand-Am driver championship in 2002, Theys finished third in the driver point standings in that series in 2001 and was the runner-up in 2000. He had four victories in his championship 2002 season, and established the largest margin of victory in series history in winning the race at Mont-Tremblant, Quebec from the pole that year.

Prior to retiring from pro racing in March 2009, Theys also competed in the Le Mans Series in Europe with Horag Racing from 2005 through 2008, winning the Monza 1,000 km race in the LMP2 category in 2007^[10] and a similar event at the Nurburgring in 2005 in a Lola Judd. He finished his pro driving career in the Horag Racing-prepared Lista Office Porsche RS Spyder in the Le Mans Series’ LMP2 division in 2008, finishing second in class at Spa and Silverstone, third at Monza and winning the Michelin Energy Challenge that season.

Theys also drove a Maserati MC 12 for Doran Racing in the ALMS in 2007, an effort that stunned the GT1 class when it beat the factory Corvettes to win the pole at the Petit Le Mans that year.

Upon his retirement from driving professionally, Theys had finished on the podium 61 times in sports car races all over the world, with 18 victories, 22 second-place finishes and 21 third-place finishes through the end of the 2008 season.

Prior to his accomplishments in sports cars Theys was also successful in open-wheel racing, competing in the CART Championship Car Series from 1987 to 1993 with 47 career starts,^[11] including the Indianapolis 500 three times (1989, 1990 and 1993).^[12] He finished in the top ten 10 times in CART events, and his best career finish in that series was a third position in Miami in 1988.

He won the American Racing Series (now Indy Lights) championship in 1987; the U.S. Bosch Super Vee championship in 1986; several Formula Ford championships in the late seventies and early eighties, and the Belgium Karting championship in 1977. He was also successful in European Formula 3 and Formula 2 in the eighties. He finished third in the Monaco Formula 3 Grand Prix in 1985.

Theys’ accomplishments at the highest levels of motorsports around the world are even more impressive considering that he came from a middle-class family with no other family members involved in the sport. He borrowed money to finance his first season of Formula Ford competition in 1978, and then built a career as a professional race car driver that spanned more than 30 years.

He received the prestigious Driver of the Year Award in his native Belgium in 2002.

Although he never gave up his Belgium citizenship, he resided in Scottsdale, Ariz., for many years, and still lives there. That municipality honored him with the keys to the city in honor of his Grand-Am driver championship and second 24 Hours of Daytona victory.

Theys currently works as a racing driver coach and consultant. He is also the driving director of World Class Driving, a company that allows enthusiasts to experience driving a fleet of exotic sports cars.^[13]

References

1. ^ Belgium. "Didier Theys «". Oldracingcars.com. http://www.oldracingcars.com/driver/Didier_Theys. Retrieved 2010-04-11. 
2. ^ "Sports-car ace Didier Theys retires from competition". Autoweek.com. 2009-03-03. http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200903021637/FREE/903029973. Retrieved 2010-04-11. 
3. ^ O’Malley, J: “Daytona 24 Hours,” David Bull Publishing, pps. 377 and 384.
4. ^ "12 Hours of Sebring Winners / Sebring 12h >>> MotorSports Etc". MotorSports Etc.. http://www.motorsportsetc.com/champs/sebring.htm. Retrieved 2010-04-11. 
5. ^ Hyde, C: “Grand American Road Racing Yearbook 2002,” Stalker International Editions, p. 129
6. ^ "24 h spa". Total24hours.com. http://www.total24hours.com/24h/index.html#/en/about24hrs/hall-of-fame/. Retrieved 2010-04-11. ^{[dead link]}
7. ^ "Le Mans Register - 1999". Formula2.net. http://www.formula2.net/1999.htm. Retrieved 2010-04-11. 
8. ^ O’Malley, J: “Daytona 24 Hours,” David Bull Publishing, p. 377
9. ^ O’Malley, J: “Daytona 24 Hours,” David Bull Publishing, p. 384
10. ^ "Reflecting on the career of Didier Theys - John Dagys - Motorsports Journalist". Thefastline.net. 2009-03-03. http://thefastline.net/alms/didier-theys-retirement/. Retrieved 2010-04-11. 
11. ^ Bridgestone Presents the Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford 2006 Media Guide, Champ Car, p. 236
12. ^ Davidson, D. and Shaffer, R: “Autocourse Official History of the Indianapolis 500,” Crash Media Group Ltd., pps. 359, 360, 361.
13. ^ By Marco R. della Cava, USA TODAY (2009-12-04). "Supercar camp: Non-stars in insanely priced cars". Usatoday.Com. http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2009-12-02-200 mph02_CV_N.htm. Retrieved 2010-04-11. ^{[dead link]}

Persondata
Name	Theys, Didier
Alternative names
Short description	auto racer
Date of birth	19 October 1956
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death