Camathias, after a most auspicious start with the Saleen S7-R on the circuit at Monza in the first race (finished in the points zone with the eight place, alternating at the wheel with his team-mate, the Italian Paolo Ruberti), was very aware of growing shortcomings in the way of procedure within the team; so much so that after four months, more precisely in June, after confronting several problems of technical nature, he left the Graham Nash Motorsport:

“They had manifestly failed to maintain their prior affirmations for obtaining the results foreseen – recalls Camathias – and, reluctantly, I have preferred to say “enough!”. The results obtained by the team afterwards confirmed the wisdom of my choice, but certainly this is only a poor consolation. In any case, I have made treasure of that unfortunate experience, re-starting with great enthusiasm in the following months of 2005 during which I have gained some fine satisfactions”.

In effect Camathias has first of all shone in the 1000 KM at Spa, the inaugural race of the LMES (Le Mans Endurance Series), at the wheel of a Porsche 996 GT3 RSR of the Autorlando-Sport together with the Italians Moccia and Groppi. On the difficult and technical Belgian track the ambitious Luganese “driver” has finished straight away on the lowest step of the podium, in third position, in the class GT2, with a very good performance and meriting his confirmation for other prestigious races in which the Italian team has taken part afterwards:

“Racing for Mr. Redolfi [Autorlando-Sport Team Owner] is always a great pleasure – explains Camathias – with Autorlando-Sport there is always a special relationship, and I am pleased to have contributed actively to the growth of this team in the past year. We have achieved great things and with a tiny bit of luck we could have done better, especially in the final race in Istanbul finished prematurely when we were ahead!”.

But let`s go in order: after the 3rd place at the 1000 KM in Spa, Camathias was called to re-inforce the Italian tandem Moccia-Groppi in the prestigious 24 Hours in Spa: well, the Belgian circuit has confirmed itself…land of conquest for Joel, capable of finishing in 2nd place in the class (and 9th overall!) in the massacrating race at the wheel of the Porsche.
A result of absolute prestige, achieved with not few sacrifices, which has finally repaid Camathias (at his first experience in a 24 Hours) after bitter experience and that evidenced his regularity behind the wheel.
Praises for Camathias on that occasion are in fact wasted, and the Luganese has continued his positive series in the 1000 KM at Nürburgring in September, valid always for the LMES: in the race in Germany Camathias (always partnered by the Italians Moccia and Groppi on the Porsche 996 GT3 RSR) has crossed the finishing line in 3rd position, so centering his third consecutive podium!

An exceptional series of results for the trio of Autorlando-Sport and for a Camathias who has known how to re-launch, in grand style, his image as a fast and promising driver.

Lastly, in November, Joel has participated in the race in Istanbul valid for the same Endurance Series (the last race): well, in Turkey, only misfortune has succeeded in stopping Camathias, who firmly at the command of the race after 3 hours and therefore launched towards the victory, has had to surrender to a mechanical problem. A retirement that, however, does not cancel a second part of 2005 rich with satisfactions for Joel, with three consecutive podiums in races of absolute prestige like the 24 Hours of Spa.

“Camathias there is!” some would say…, and we can`t forget the fantastic victory taken by the Luganese driver at the end of the season in the Targa Tricolore Porsche Championship in Monza.