Interview with Marc Längerer

Marc Längerer gained recognition as a hillclimb racer with his VW Polo. Last year, he secured the class victory at the final event of the German Hillclimb Championship (DBM) in Mickhausen, earning him the title of German vice-champion in his performance class. As a sports partner, we spoke with Marc about his career:

Fascination of Motorsport: Dear Marc, what motivated you to make a name for yourself in this field?

That's a very good question. It actually just happened; I entered this wonderful sport completely without any expectations. As a child, I often heard about the famous hillclimb in Neuffen, which is practically around the corner from me. Unfortunately, it was last held in 1983. Some of my motorsport club colleagues participated back then, and they always spoke of it in the highest terms. So, the desire to participate in a hillclimb has always been there, even long before my previous activities in motorsport.

A hillclimb often demands everything from a car and its team. What has been your most challenging moment in your career?

Yes, that's true. The car must be 100% perfectly prepared. Fortunately, I have a great crew that I can absolutely rely on. Everyone knows what to do and is fully committed. The season finale in Mickhausen in 2023 was certainly one of those moments. After several second and third places, I really wanted to secure a top podium finish. The entire weekend was a thrill, but in the final scoring run, I was able to go all-in and take the victory for myself and my team.

What is your most important ritual to prepare for a good race?

I need a few minutes of complete quiet before each run. During this time, I mentally go through the entire course again. From the start, every gear shift, every turn, every braking point, every bump in the road, and every notable point until after the finish line—I go through all of this in my mind at least three times during those minutes.

Material selection is certainly crucial for your sport. What criteria do you focus on the most?

First and foremost, the safety aspect is always my top priority. With inferior products, I can't perform at my best because that thought lingers in the back of my mind. If I have to worry during the race about whether the materials will hold up or not, my focus is disrupted, and I won’t achieve a good result. It just doesn’t feel right.

Finally, one last question about EMKA Oil: What personal experience have you had with our company’s products? Has anything particularly impressed you, and do you have a suggestion for a product that could help you improve even further in the future?

Before I used EMKA products in my sport, I had personal experience with them in my professional life. I work in a large quarry, and everything that requires lubrication is done with EMKA oils and greases. There has never been any damage where EMKA is used, which is why I also trust EMKA Race Power 20W60 for my 1400cc high-performance engine in the VW Polo 16V.

Unfortunately, I don't have any tips for you because EMKA's extensive product range covers all my needs and is simply of excellent quality.