29 June 2007A further podium for the Aston!
Racing For Belgium finished in a podium place during the fourth round of the Mediagroep Van Dyck Belcar, its second since Donington. Ron Marchal and Philippe Jacobs, the latter replacing the sick Wim Coekelbergs, clinched a third place and as such are maintaining themselves in the top of the national GT3 Championship. Furthermore Marchal and Coekelbergs drove to an excellent sixth place last Sunday during the second race of the international FIA GT3 race at Monza. Racing For Belgium is definitely building up to cruising speed and is ready for both the 24 Hours of Spa as also the 24 Hours of Zolder.
As the result of an elbow infection Wim Coekelbergs had to withdraw from the race in Zolder, but found the ideal replacement in Philippe Jacobs. Jacobs is competing in the French Clio Cup this season and was delighted to be back on Belgian asphalt.
Philippe Jacobs: “It took a bit of getting used to the GT3, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. We managed a seventh place on the grid during qualifying, but we could perhaps have improved on that. The actual race ran smoothly. During my stint I was able to systematically build up the rhythm and defend my position in the sub-top pack. Ron then drove a cracker of a relay and clinched the third place in extremis, perfect for the championship. I would like to thank the entire team for the opportunity offered. I’m now back off to continue my season in France, which I’m also thoroughly enjoying.”
Ron Marchal also visibly appreciated the podium place.
Marchal: “A great pity about our pitstop, it wasn’t smooth at all. We had set up the seat differently because Philip has a somewhat different posture. And during the driver changeover the belts became entangled. But apart from all that it’s great to be back on the podium once again.”
Earlier in the week Marchal and Coekelbergs had performed well at Monza.
Coekelbergs: “The Saturday race fizzled out when I went off at the Parabolica, but on Sunday everything went perfectly. Notwithstanding a lack of pure power we still managed sixth, a pretty good performance in my opinion in such a strong FIA GT3 field. I have now completed quite a few kilometres and it is starting to reveal its fruits. A great pity that the injury to my elbow kept me from competing in Zolder today; I was looking forward to measuring the car up once again in the Belcar pack .”
