Jul201516

JONI BÄCKMAN

batmankasvo

Simracing since: 1986

iRacing since: 2010

Current series: Star Mazda, GTC

Favourite car(s): Ford GT, Williams FW-31

Favourite track(s): Sebring

Captain of Club Finland. Founder of Glacier Racing and GlacierTV. A man, who gets things done and is never afraid to voice his opinion. That is Joni Bäckman, in a nutshell.

Joni started out in simracing way before the times of laser-scanned track surfaces, force feedback or LCD monitors. In 1986, he got his hands on a game called Pitstop II, but what really sparked his interest was “neighbourhood kids playing IndyCar Racing II”, as he put it.

During those days, the competitive scene consisted of sending your best laptimes onto website leaderboards, preferably with a valid replay file attached. It was a simple way to compare yourself among other drivers, and usually Bäckman’s name was either at top or very close to it.

However, his wheel broke, and so did his interest in any sort of gaming.

Fast forward 20 years. Joni Bäckman has just finished 5th in the iRacing Grand Prix Series and earned his Pro-license, proving finally that he belongs among the finest road racers out there. All that with a single monitor and unmodified Logitech Driving Force GT. To quote 4-time World Champion Greger Huttu, “[expletive] alien”.

f1

Bäckman, pictured right, on his way to a victory in iRacing class A series at Silverstone

Since joining iRacing in 2010, he has honed his craft in various cars and classes, perhaps most notably in Corvette C6R and Ford GT2. As always among the elite, the competition was tough – and there was some friendly fire inbetween, too. The numerous battles with fellow Finns such as Joni Hagner and Kimmo Suominen are still replayed occasionally, and showed as an example to the younger generation.

fordgt

Battling it out with Kimmo Suominen (on top right) at Watkins Glen. This is as far as they got from each other.

As mentioned earlier, Joni Bäckman is the founder of Glacier Racing, and subsequently GlacierTV. Both have become household names among simracers nowadays, but how did it all start?

We wanted to found a team that was 100% Finnish. It all started from an IRC conversation between me and Marko Viitanen, who had just left Team Afterburn. I said to him that if I am going to run a team, I’m going to do it properly… And still am.”

It showcases what kind of a person Bäckman is, and also showcases just why this team is so successful. To other people, he is a fast driver. To fellow Finns, he is a coach and a mentor. To Glacier drivers and team members, he is something more. A friend, and the voice of reason. Many drivers have cited him as a real help to their development, and the results speak from themselves.

If you think this man is just an ordinary simracer… Think again.


Questions & Answers

Q: Favourite car & track?

A: “From the real life Sepang and…a car… hmm… I guess it has to be the Corvette C6R. In iRacing my favourite car is maybe, well, actually before the last season I would’ve said either the Ford GT or Corvette but now I could almost say it’s the F1 (Williams FW-31). Even though it is a [expletive]terrible car and I hate it but at the same time, it’s just so damn rewarding. From the service… A favourite track… It depends of course so much on the car but Sebring is one where I have a lot of good memories from.”

Q: Do you listen to music while driving? And if yes, what kind?

A: “Only when I’m testing, if at all, at low volume and it would have to be something motivational, and calm enough to not interfere with the in-car noises. For example, not heavy metal.”

Q: What song gets you fired up?

A: In general, Children of Bodom – Needled 24/7.

Q: Choose 3 teammates with you to a deserted island?

A: Pffft, why do they have to be teammates? I should hire some females to Glacier… Well, Petteri Kotovaara, err… I’ll have to open the list, this is quite difficult, but Petteri at least. Hm, Petteri, Joni Takanen and… Joni Hagner.

Q: What 3 things would you change in iRacing?

A: Some new stewards to review the protests, preferably ones who actually have some clue about racing… iRating gains for team events by car… Car-specific iRating.

Q: Do you stream your driving? If so, where?

A: Depends on the day and the type of race. Usually at twitch.tv/sfprivateer.

Q: Your favourite meal?

A: Pork steak with french fries.

Q: And favourite drink?

A: Coca-Cola.

Q: Finally, your favourite animal?

A: Ehh… Hm. Probably dwarf rabbit.