15 April 2008Successful shakedown for the new ProSpeed Porsche 997 GT3 Cup S
ProSpeed Competition tests its new Porsche 997 GT3 Cup S during Belcar’s season first race. Main task of this first GT3 outing was to test its new Porsche 997 GT3 Cup S during the Belgian Kick Off Races in Zolder.
“So we ran in FIA configuration” Rudi Penders said, “that is with 40 kg ballast, raised minimum ride height and without heated tires. A great handicap in comparison to the other cars in the Belcar configuration, but the only possibility to test the new car before its first international race, next week at Silverstone for the launch of the FIA GT3 European Championship.”
The overall pace of the new Porsche GT3 S Cup was more than OK. Even including both Moslers MT900, which drove their own race as last year. A place in the top 3, both in qualifying and race, where possible. In difficult conditions, ProSpeed Competition finished 7th in the first round and 10th in the second. And as first Porsche in both rounds! In the first round Rudi Penders started 11th and rapidly gained a few places. But driving its first laps in wet conditions, the ProSpeed Porsche fell back to the 21st place. After a fantastic rise, due to Rudi Penders and Franz Lamot, the Porsche 997 Cup S battled back 7th. In the second round, the #51 Porsche finished 10th after skidding off the track.
“But most important for us is, that we have learned a lot about the new car during this week-end. So we can start the challenge of the FIA GT3 European Championship on a good basis” explained Rudi Penders after the race. “Everything was fine and encouraging with the new Porsche 997 GT3 Cup S during this week-end.”
Make sure you don’t miss ProSpeed Competition on April 20th for the launch of the FIA GT Championship with Markus Palttala – Mikael Forsten and Emmanuel Collard – Richard Westbrook, as well as the FIA GT3 European Championship with Rudi Penders and Franz Lamot! The second GT3-car will be driven by David Loix. The second driver of this car is still to be defined.
