SIR Chris Hoy has revealed he spent hours watching YouTube videos in a bid to become the world’s next best racing driver.
The six time Olympic cyclist swapped his two wheels for four when he took part in the European Le Mans series in Estoril, Portugal last week.
He had to hone his skills to take him to the next level of racing – the LMP2 category which would make him eligible to compete in the world’s greatest endurance race.
And the 39-year-old Scot has now admitted he would sit at his laptop for hours watching videos to help pick up tips from the world’s best.
During an interview with a newspaper, he said: “It’s the most dull thing. My wife will tell you about the constant screeching sound of the engine coming from the laptop.”
He also spent endless sessions in driving simulators where he was assessed over his technique by Nissan officials.
“The Nissan GT academy are experts at trying to get that information into you, watching you in the car, picking up on things that you’re doing right/wrong, getting you into good habits in the car,” he said.
Hoy revealed that he has always had a love for race driving but didn’t think he would ever get the chance to race properly.
“It wasn’t as though I finished my cycling career and thought ‘I need to find some sort of challenge’, he explained.
“It wasn’t like I needed to row the Atlantic, or do this or that. It’s just that I loved driving cars on tracks.
“I had a little track car I used to take on at the end of a cycling season, and it was nothing more than that: the odd track day.
“It was a hobby. I never thought I’d get the opportunity to race. The racing seamed difficult to get into – almost like a different world.”
Following his retirement Hoy revealed he enjoyed having a better balance to his life instead of his grueling seven-days-a-week training regime.
And credits his down-to-earth and humble attitude to his family who keep him grounded.
“Whenever I get above my station, I have a family, a wife that will bring me back to Earth, he said.
“If your life changes, it’s all down to your family and friends. It’s important not to get above your station in life.
“There’s nothing worse than seeing arrogance – the least likeable personality trait you can have.”
Hoy was given the opportunity to make the progression from track days at Oulton Park after he won the Radical SR1 cup – a racing league for amateurs – in 2013.
Nissan – the official partner of Team GB and the Paralympics GB – offered him the chance to progress to the next level which has seen him putting in the hours in a bid to compete in the Le Mans race for real.
