Hello Racers!

Today we present you an interview with one of our "newer" drivers.  He's also part of our "Norfolk group", a small place in the United Kingdom, where nothing else can be done than playing LFS and drinking.... (believe me, I've been there last year and seen it). Speaking of drinks, he also created our new Team Drink, well at least the wrapping.

So please give this man a warm welcome and say hello to Danowat.

Hello Danowat, thx for joining this little Interview

Ok, here is the first (and easiest) question: What is your real name, when were you born and where are you living?
My name is Danny Watkins, but most people call me just Dan. I was born in Essex and lived there until I was 23. Then I moved over to Norfolk.

What are you doing when you're not in front of your pc, in other words: Do you have a real life?
Yes, I do have a real life; in fact it takes so much time away from LFS!!! I work at least 42.5 hours a week, I am a CADCAM design engineer and when I am not working my time is split between my daughter, my girlfriend, riding my motorbike, and going to the gym.

Could you explain to us noobs (well, probably only me) what a CADCAM design engineer is?
CADCAM is short for "Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing". Basically I use various CAD and CAM software packages to design packaging and moulds, a fancy way of saying I sit on my backside all day drawing stuff on a computer ;)

I guess Danowat is the short form for your real name. Why did you choose this nick?
That goes back to about 1997 when I first brought a computer and went on the internet, basically I got so fed up with every username I typed in being used I chose one that I hoped no one would ever come up with, first 3 letters of my first and last name with an O in the middle, its just stuck all those years.

Do you play any other pc-games (apart from LFS) and what was your first PC (Atari, or Amiga) game you ever played?
Yes, I do, although LFS is my main "game", I have probably almost all racing sims ever made on my PC, no one of which hold a candle to LFS, and I used to be heavily into FS (flight simulation).
The first computer game I played? Hmm, that's going back some years, I remember that I bought a Sinclair Spectrum 48K a long, long time ago. It was one of those with rubber keys and everything and came with a pack of games.
One of those games was called "Chequered Flag" and that was the first race game I ever played, and it hooked me from that day on.

Please complete the following sentence: "Since I play Live for Speed..."
I have spent far too much money on hardware!

What was your most memorable time in LFS?
My most memorable time in LFS is two-fold, firstly becoming a member of T7R was a good time in LFS for me, also completing the entire ESL UK season without missing a single event and finishing 8th overall was a good time.

What made you choose T7R?
Thats easy, T7R members are probably (no definitely) some of the nicest guys you could ever find to race with / against, having a fun, friendly and fast team was paramount for me.

If you had the chance to add one thing to Live for Speed (no matter what it is), what would it be?
That's quite a tough question, I can think of lots I would like to see added, probably realistic engine/tyre damage would be a big plus, either that or realistic weather.

Please tell us the three things, you would take with you to a lonely island? Why?
Another tough question......
My mp3 player, I am a big music fan and couldn't bear to be without music for one day.
If I could get away with my PC, all of my hardware and software as one item, and assuming you had electricity, then I would take that in an instant, you can never be bored with a PC.
I would have to take my girlfriend too, although we would probably get fed up with each other and end up killing each other. I couldn't imagine being without her for too long. LOL

Speaking of music. Your favourite Band / Song? Why?
That is a VERY, VERY hard question, as my music tastes are very broad. My favourite band of all time I guess has to be New Order, because even the old songs of theirs sound fresh today.
If I had to pick my favourite song, it would be "Love will tear us apart" by Joy Division, I never ever tire of listening to it, its just a great, great record (god I feel old now!!!).

What's your motto?
Worry about the things you can change, don't worry about things you have no control over.

What's your dream?
My dream is pretty corny really, but very simple, just to be happy and healthy, never really wanted anymore than that out of life.

And now please feel free to say some words to your audience.
I have an audience?
Watch this space, I will get quicker in the future and surprise you all. LOL
   
Thank you very much Danny for taking the time to answer my questions, and I hope you enjoyed it a bit.
Thanks for inviting me Jan, it was a pleasure.