Didier Theys, who recently retired from racing, returned to Indianapolis
last weekend for the first time 14 years, to watch one of his favorite
races the Indianapolis 500.
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Didier Theys and his daughter Morgan. Photo by Linda Mansfield.
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Accompanying Theys to Indianapolis were daughter Morgan and Swiss
businessman Fredy Lienhard, his long-time car owner and co-driver.
"Fredy (Lienhard) wanted to see the race and see what I did in the past,
so I have been showing him around for two days," Theys said, flashing
the ever-present smile. "He's gone to many races in his life but he's
never been to Indy. He's very pleased to be here."
Theys, 52, has raced and won major races throughout the world, including
America's premier events -- the Rolex24 at Daytona, the 12 Hours of
Sebring and the Six Hours of the Glen. While he enjoyed these venues and
others, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway occupies a special place in his
heart.
"Everything I did at Indianapolis was a highlight to me," said the
three-time Indianapolis 500 starter while strolling along pit lane
Sunday morning. "The ambience, the track and the speed were highlights
to me. In the last few years, I watched it from Lime Rock (Park) where I
was racing sports cars for something like 10 years in a row."
By design, the Belgium native retired from professional competition late
last year, and he now devotes his time to coaching a variety of programs
for up-and-coming drivers. "I am still very busy and travel a lot," he
noted. "And I definitely stay in touch with racing."
Regarding his retirement decision, he said "I was planning to retire in
2009, but when my sports car team lost its sponsors, I decided to go out
then."
A consummate fitness buff, Theys does lots of mountain climbing in the
proximity of his Scottsdale, Arizona, home, and even though he's not an
active racer, physical conditioning continues to be a top priority to
him. "I used to climb Camelback Mountain on a regular basis, but I have
a better trail now, called Sunrise, and we go there every weekend. Years
ago, I took my daughters up Camelback in my back-pack."
His daughters have since grown up and Morgan, his 17-year old daughter,
journeyed to Indianapolis for the first time in 15 years. Although
she was here as a two-year old, she has no recollection of the visit.
"Indianapolis is pretty exciting," she beamed. "I graduate from high
school in the upcoming week, and this trip was a present from a friend."
Didier and Morgan Theys and Lienhard thoroughly enjoyed their race
weekend, and they agreed a return visit is in order.
