07 september 2007Mollekens grabs pole position in extremis for the 29th edition of the 24 Hours of Zolder
The battle for pole position in the 29th edition of the 24 Hours of Zolder was a chronicle in various episodes. Where François Duval and Marc Duez played the leading roles during the initial chapters, it was finally Kurt Mollekens in the PK Corvette Z06 who came out as the hero in the story. After a bitter battle with Vincent Radermecker the man from Keerbergen slotted the green PK Corvette on to pole in the final qualifying lap.
Mollekens: “In the final faze of the fourth and last session I had a free lap. The track was improving by the minute and where I had problems in the previous laps everything went perfectly during my third attempt. I finally made it by a few thousandths of a second. I reckon Vincent is probably pretty fed up right now, but we’re over the moon.”
The fast MI Gravity driver took it in a sporting manner and showed himself to be a worthy second. Radermecker: “It was really touch and go, but as compared to Kurt I never really had the opportunity of a free lap. A final effort led to nothing and so on Saturday we’ll be starting off behind the Corvette. To be honest in a 24Hours endurance race it’s not really that bad, but obviously the pole is highly attractive from the sponsors’ points of view. And being beaten by Mollekens is not what I would call a disgrace.”
The AD Viper completed the top-3 of the qualifying session, with Jan Heylen as the fastest driver on duty. Heylen, who clinched an excellent second place last Sunday in the ChampCar at Assen, has also ensured that there are three different makes in the top-3. With the Porsche of Duval & co in fifth and the 007 Aston in.....seventh we have no less than five different makes within the top-10. The gap between the numbers one and ten represents but a mere 2.6 seconds, which further emphasises the quality and unpredictability of this edition.
For all the staticians; a few facts. This pole in the 29th edition of the 24 Hours of Zolder for the Limburg based PK is the team’s first pole position since the endurance race held in 2002, however it is the fourth in the last ten editions. For the American Corvette it is four ... in a row. From its three pole positions over the last years SRT managed to come away with two victories. On Sunday are we going for two out of three or two out of four?
However all credit to those whom deserve it. On Wednesday evening and Thursday midday François Duval and Marc Duez proved themselves to be the fastest of the lot. Unfortunately for them the first two sessions were held on a wet track and they were unable to cash in on their provisional pole. But in all honesty the ‘wet’ pole of WRC-star Duval was definitely a worthy performance.
In Division 2 and 3 we find respectively NGT and AD Sport up front. It’s no surprise that NGT is drawing the blanket its way, because Marc Maton’s team up until now have not relinquished a single qualifying or race to the opposition. From AD Sport-boss Vanierschot we know that he always handles the qualifying sessions with great care, however on Saturday the 996 Biturbo is starting out from the number one spot in D2.
Prior to the race on Saturday the heroes of this 29th edition will be holding an autograph session as from twelve noon in the vicinity of the control tower. All fans be there!
And finally just a reminder that all those staying at home will have various ways in which to follow the event. RTBF will be broadcasting the start and finish of the race live. In addition you will be able to follow the latest news, as it happens on www.24u.be and www.pitstop.tv.
Tickets are still on sale in your Dexia-branch and don’t forget: See you at Zolder this weekend!
