31 maart 2007The reigning champions Longin-Kumpen on pole
Notwithstanding the fact that the sun was shining down on the circuit of Zolder this afternoon, the times set during the Friday session were not improved upon. This could well be due to the dirtier condition of the track.
In any event the numerous spectators on Sunday, or so it is hoped, will not be confronted with a surprise when they see the green Corvette Z06 of the reigning champions Kumpen and Longin on pole for the first Belcar race. Evidently the FIA GT-stars are still in top gear after their return from China, because on Friday they promptly placed the bar very high. With a time of 1.34.462 it immediately became clear what a GT3 is capable of achieving on the renewed, slower Zolder track.
“We are also amazed at the difference with our immediate rivals”, Kumpen Jr. admitted openly after the qualifying sessions. “The difference may appear great, but I believe that we – drivers and team – are already well run in and that the competition is still discovering the equipment. After three laps, and on fresh rubber, I was already able to get the maximum out of our well balanced car. Perhaps the competition is still looking for the perfect fine tuning. But I have also noticed that Maxime Soulet is also pretty fast in a new car. On the other hand neither Lémeret nor Radermecker have used new tyres on a free track. I’m convinced that tomorrow in the race and definitely during the coming meetings everyone will improve, where in fact we are already at our maximum.”
With a heavier and raised Mosler-Chevrolet Radermecker-Lémeret will be sharing the front row with the Corvette.
“It doesn’t really matter whether we would have used new tyres, second is second and tomorrow we have the race. I hope to be able to fight for victory”, the racing journalist remarked.
Behind the Mosler we have three cars within eight tenths of a second. The splendid Aston Martin DBRS9 of Coekelbergs-Marshal ahead of the Porsche 997 GPR of Soulet-Dumarey and Maes-Duez, the first Dodge Viper of the Canadian Thomas and the German Heyer and finally the second Mosler of Team Gravity in the hands of Lambert-Kelders.
“We will have to do better during the race”, Marc Duez admitted. “But then we also believe that the Corvette will not be clocking 1.34 during the race, and in addition we consume less fuel and our tyres wear out less. We don’t need to change tyres and require 25 litres less fuel than the petrol guzzling Corvette.”
A bit further down the 38 car strong grid we have in 11th place the Porsche 996 NGT of Neyens-Couwberghs, first in Division 2, and in 17th place the Porsche 996 Biturbo of Steegmans-Leest, within one thousandth of the reference time, set at 1.38.4 in Division 3.
Startgrid: 1. Longin-Kumpen (Corvette Z06) 1.34.462 ; 2. Radermecker-Lémeret (Mosler-Chevrolet) at 1.708 ; 3. Coekelbergs-Marshal (Aston Martin DBR9S) at 1.893 ; 4. Dumarey-Soulet (Porsche 997 GT3) at 2.042 ; 5. Duez-Maes (Porsche 997 GT3) at 2.203 ; 6. Heyer-Thomas (All-Can/Dodge Viper) at 2.291 ; 7. Kelders-Lambert (Mosler-Chevrolet) at 2.506 ; 8. Thiers-Schreurs-Vanierschot (Porsche 997 GT3) at 2.934 ; 9. Stielstra-Haane (Porsche 997 GT3) at 3.073 ; 10. Penders-Lamot (Porsche 997 GT3) at 3.101 ; 11. Neyens-Couwberghs (Porsche 996 Supercup) at 3.425 (1ste D2) ;… 17. Steegmans-Leest (Porsche 996 Biturbo (1ste D3) at 3.939
