21 september 2008Jeffrey van Hooydonk on pole for Belgian GT Championship MVD in Spa
Jeffrey Van Hooydonk, with his A+ Racing Viper clocked up a sensational lap time of 2.22.158 to clinch pole position for the Francorchampagne meeting. Not only has Van Hooydonk ensured pole spot, but he is also the fastest ever GT3-driver on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Behind Van Hooydonk we have the two Gravity International Moslers of Radermecker – Marchal and Kumpen – Longin.
Francorchampagne is the last meeting of the Belgian GT Championship with a race over 120 minutes and as such we only have one pole position. It was during an open and hard fought first session that the A+ Racing Viper of Van Hooydonk and Kuus finally took control, but not before some of his nearest rivals also putting in some fast times.
Initially we had Vincent Radermecker, in the Gravity International Mosler, and Maxime Soulet, in his GPR Porsche 911 Cup S, registering lap times 2.23, some three seconds faster than the pole in the GT3-class during the 24 Hours of Spa.
But there was no way to hold back the yellow Viper of Van Hooydonk; finally setting a fast 2.22.158 and guaranteeing him the pole. Behind him both the Mosler-drivers Radermecker and Longin tried their utmost to beat him. But they could achieve no better than coming respectively within one tenth and five tenths. During the second session Kumpen crashed off, but the Mosler will definitely be on the grid tomorrow
Bert Longin: “The track is presently very fast, typical after a F1 race at Spa and also the weather conditions play a part, dry, not too warm and lots of oxygen in the atmosphere are perfect ingredients to clock such fast times.”
Behind this trio there are a further four teams who qualified within two seconds of the pole, further proof of the well balanced ratio in the Belgian GT Championship MVD. The GPR Porsche was fourth, ahead of the NGT Porsche and the two Ferraris of Sport Garage and Delahaye – Francorchamps Motors, leaders in the championship. The G&A Mosler, that enjoyed success at Spa some two months ago, and both KRK Vipers round odd the top-10. Tom Langeberg and Jurgen Van Hover in their Speedlover Porsche cvame out on top in Division 3, whilst the Porsche of Powercars Racing will start up front in Division 2. In the event that the latter finishes the race tomorrow, Powercars can uncork the champagne.
Tomorrow the race starts at 13:30hrs and two hours later we will know the winners of the last ever 120 minutes race. As from next year every meeting of the Belgian GT Championship MVD will be held over two races of 60 minutes each. So its rendezvous tomorrow at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit under a glorious sky, and free tickets are to be obtained by visiting www.belgiangt.com.
Starting grid:
1. Van Hooydonk – Kuus (Bel – NL), A+ Dodge Viper, 2.22.158
2. Radermecker – Marchal (Bel – NL), Gravity Mosler, 2.22.288
3. Longin – Kumpen, Gravity Mosler, 2.22.660
4. Soulet – Franchi, GPR Porsche 2.23.204
5. Couwberghs – Maes, NGT Porsche, 2.23.404
6. Vosse – Renard, Sport Garage Ferrari 430, 2.23.574
7. Bouvy – Coens, Delahaye Ferrari 430, 2.23.983
8. Kenis – De Keersmaecker G&A Mosler, 2.25.313
9. Koen Wauters – Schreurs, KRK Dodge Viper, 2.26.102
10. Raf Vanthoor - Kris Wauters, KRK Dodge Viper, 2.26.459
....
15. Van Hover – Langeberg, Speedlover Porsche, 2.29.482 (1st D3)
20. Van Oost – Maes Powercars Porsche, 2.32.782 (1st D2)
