20 augustus 2008The 30th edition of the 24 Hours of Zolder, the protagonists in Division 1
The 30th edition of the 24 Hours of Zolder is being held on 30th and 31st August at Circuit Zolder, the highpoint of the Belgian GT Championship Mediagroep Van Dyck. Double points are up for grabs in this race and it is therefore a major meeting for all teams aspiring to the championship. The successors to Marc Goossens, Maxime Soulet and the Dumarey brothers Guillaume and Maxime, winners of the 207 edition of the 24 Hours of Zolder will also most probably be competing in Division 1, the class reserved for national and international GT3s. However one mustn’t rule out the odd surprise, as proven by the excellent second place of the AD Sport Porsche Biturbo entered in Division 3 last year. But with the accumulated experience, combined with the degree of quality and the balanced field of competitors in Division 1 it is more than likely than the winners are to be found here.
When one mentions endurance racing, Porsche immediately comes to mind, a classic cliché, but it’s a fact. And this year also the Porsche-teams are the hot favourites of these 24 Hours of Zolder. Their reliability linked to their relatively low fuel consumption and years of experience makes these German machines the perfect weapon for longer distance work.
It goes without saying that the former winning GPR team of Pino Sperlinga is forecast as favourite by many. Maxime Soulet and Greg Franchi, the present leaders in the Belgian GT Championship, will be sharing their Porsche 997 GT3 Cup S with none other than the Belgian ex-F1-hope Bas Leinders as also the versatile gentleman driver Christian Kelders. This will give Maxime Soulet and Greg Franchi the perfect opportunity for revenge and make up for their unfortunate experience during the 24 Hours of Spa.
But there’s not only GPR waving the Porsche flag. ProSpeed Competition and NGT are two strong teams ready to help Porsche clinch an eleventh victory at Zolder. Rudi Penders, Franz Lamot, David Loix and Stéphane Lémeret are the regular drivers of ProSpeed Competition in the FIA GT3 championship and are aiming at nothing less than victory, whilst at NGT they have opted for experience with Ward Sluys and Heinz Bonnaerens to support Bart Couwberghs and Ruben Maes.
Both Ferrari and Viper will be entering three representatives each at Zolder. As compared to Porsche and Viper the Italian prancing horse has never won at Zolder, but this year with Francorchamps Motors by Delahaye, Sport Garage and Scuderia Monza anything is possible. At the 24 Hours of Spa the French AS Events proved that with their third place in GT3 one needs to take the Ferrari 430 into consideration.
Fred Bouvy and Damien Coens, presently second in the championship, will be sharing the drive at Zolder with two ladies, namely Vanina Ickx and Alexandra van de Velde. This season Vanina Ickx experienced success with Delahaye and Fred Bouvy in the 12 Hours of Spa. Sport Garage found reinforcement for Vincent Vosse and Eddy Renard abroad, calling on Steve Zacchia and the Portuguese top driver Pedro Lamy. Lamy previously won the race in 2004, at the wheel of the GLPK Viper which he shared with Anthony Kumpen, Bert Longin and Mike Hezemans.
The Thiers family, with Kurt, Hans, Frank, and supported by Guy Van Mol make up the final irons in the Ferrari-fire.
A+ and KRK Racing will be defending the Viper colours. A+ is looking for a good result and a confirmation of their achievements during the first half of the season. Guido Werckx and Laurent Nef are provisionally the drivers who will be reinforcing the team with amongst others the super fast Jeffrey Van Hooydonk..KRK Racing will exceptionally be entering one car, with the regular team comprised out of Koen and Kris Wauters and Patrick Schreurs. Jan Heylen will be replacing the injured Raf Vanthoor.
This leaves Mosler and Lamborghini, respectively with two and one car. Quite obviously we can’t go without mentioning Bert Longin, Anthony Kumpen and Vincent Radermecker. This trio will most probably set the pace during the qualifying sessions, but whether the American power beast can hold out for the entire 24 hours is another question; all will be revealed on Sunday 31st August at 16.00hrs.
On the other hand two years ago G&A proved, with its sixth place, that the Mosler MT900 can hold out for 24 hours. G&A Racing are going for continuity, as they will be retaining the same quartet as back in 2007. Guino Kenis and Michael De Keersmaecker will be teamed up with Patrick Smets and the Belgian Monegasque Chris Mattheus.
Last but not least we have the JD Competition Lamborghini Gallardo to be driven by Henk Haane and Patrick Ceusters. More news about this team will follow in due course.
