Irrepressible Rebellion Racing driver Dominik ‘Dodo’ Kraihamer talks us through his sporting passions as he remembers his eclectic upbringing.
The ambitious ‘curling wannabe!’ has many sporting friends and, in his own special way, talks us through his sporting passions, including his racing heroes and why he loves to ‘live the dream’ of being a racing driver.
What is the first sport you remember playing/competing in?
“When I was really young, let’s say from five years onwards I was sailing and playing football a lot. I really enjoyed football and I played in a team together with Julian Baumgartlinger, who is now part of the Austrian football team, but I was never really good at it. Here in Austria it’s a bit like “Everyone plays it, but no one’s good at it”.
“Sailing was due to my dad, who was a professional sailor in his younger days and who took part at the Olympic games twice. I loved being on the water nearly every single day during summer, but somehow I already felt after a few years that it wouldn’t be the sport I really want to be doing on a higher level.”
When did you first remember being at a race track and what event was it?
“My first time must have been a F1 Monaco GP in 1995, I guess. It was an amazing experience, seeing this big, impressive world of motosports out there. That was maybe the moment when I thought to myself “Dream job: racing driver” which I would answer to everyone from then on asking about my future job. You know, it was a little kid’s dream, which I also knew, would never get reality as my family had never ever anything to do with motorsports.”
Photo: 6 Hours of Silverstone 2016, FP3 in a snow shower!
If you could have become a professional in any other sport what would it be?
“I guess it would have been Curling. The precision, the adrenalin when walking up the line to get that last winner shot, this would have given me goose bumps…. Only joking!
“I used to play Ice Hockey a lot as I grew up right next to a few lakes. My dad taught me a lot; he was, next to sailing, also playing ice hockey on a semi-professional basis when he was younger. The speed and direction changes always amazed me. This would have been a sport which I would have liked to get to know more and to maybe become a professional.”
Which sports stars outside of Motorsport do you most admire?
“To be honest, there are so many great sports people out there. In general, I’m deeply respecting everyone who has a passion in this big world of sports. Some people are real sports heroes, amazingly talented, but never have the chance to show it and to become professional. That’s the reason I admire every single person out there putting a 100% effort into the sport she/he likes!
"To give you actual names of people that are really cool, that have worked incredibly hard in their sports to achieve some great goals and are friends of mine, I would list David Alaba (FC Bayern Munich), Felix Neureuther (Skiing Team Germany), Russell Wilson (American Football Quarterback), Lukas Winklar (Soccer team in Austria), Johannes Neumayer (Soccer team in Austria) Florian Mäger (Figure skating Austria) and Jakob Esel (Horse riding in Austria).
Photo: Dominik Kraihamer with David Alaba of FC Bayern Munich
Which sporting venue other than a race circuit would you like to visit?
“I was invited to Wembley Football Stadium for the Champions League Final in 2013 by my friend David Alaba. This stadium was very, very impressive. Other than that, I would love to see the Seahawks’ American Football Stadium one day; they have the noise level record of all sporting venues worldwide!”
Which circuits that isn't on the FIA WEC calendar would you most like to drive the Rebellion R-One on?
“I would really love to get a ride on the F1 track in Melbourne, Australia. Looks like a super fun, partly fast and also at some areas narrow race track!”
If you could share the Rebellion cockpit with two racing heroes from the past who would they be?
“I would really enjoy sharing a LMP1 racing car with two of my personal racing legends: Hans-Joachim “Strietzel” Stuck and Steven McQueen. Two really cool guys, although I only know Strietzel personally. But that’s already enough to know that this would be my dream team!”
Did you ever go to endurance races as a spectator, if so what memories do you have?
“Yes, I went to Spa-Francorchamps and Le Mans, when the series was still a European Championship, in 2009, to cheer for my friend and kind of idol Christian Klien, he was driving for Peugeot at that time. It was an outstanding experience, as I’ve always dreamt to get part of this series since I’ve started karting at the age of 14.
“I never really believed I could get the chance to be part of the ELMS/WEC one day, so every single day for me on and also off the race track is a dream for me. “Living the dream” sounds kind of trashy, but it’s the appropriate expression for my situation and I’m very, very thankful for everyone having supported or still supporting me in this exciting, massive dream!
“And by the way, thanks for the interview! I will now head to dinner; I feel that having 20 kg more than my competitors is still not enough of a disadvantage.”
