Question: What are your observations returning to Laguna Seca?
Mario Andretti: I’ve had invitations the past for some of these same kind of events, but my schedule now . .. I have so much on my plate. It’s difficult to make the time to do some of the things I would really like to do.
One thing I’ve always seen when I get to attend something like this is that people are having so much fun. It’s thorough enjoyment. Everybody has a smile. All of my life in competition there’sbeen so much tension you could cut it with a knife. It’s totally different world. I can’t believe you have the sound of racecars all around you and you can actually relax and enjoy yourself. You can have a glass of wine the night before and everything is going to be okay. This is the good life. I could definitely get used to this sort of thing. I don’t know if I’m allowed to have so much fun.
Question: What was it like driving the Lotus 79 again?
Mario Andretti: To have the opportunity, it brings back so many memories. It’s amazing how much time by from when you sat in the cockpit off a real racecar. And then when you’re there, it’s almost like you’ve never left it. But so many things come back to you. I’m out there trying to be so careful. That thing is so precious. He (Steve Earle, event organizer and founder) is crazy to let me even sit in it. I know it’s a delicate piece of equipment, but I had to make some noise.
Question: What part of your career brings back the fondest memories?
Mario Andretti: From as personal standpoint, I have to tell you that winning the Italian Grand Prix and clinching the World Championship had to have been the ultimate in my career. In Italy, at age 14, that’s where I saw my very first Formula One race. I was still in a refugee camp and that’s where my dreams really began of pursuing my career.
| 
|