PORSCHE OUT TO GRAB LIMELIGHT IN 24-HOUR ZOLDER RACE
2010-08-18 16:18:41 Author: admin Source:
Porsche is undoubtedly the favorite for this 32nd edition of the Menzo 24 Hours of Zolder, however the competition will take every opportunity to withhold the Weissach manufacturer from clinching a fourth consecutive victory. It goes without saying that Circuit Zolder is once again not only the place to be on 21 - 22 August for all motorsport aficionados, but for music fans and all those who enjoy partying also.
After several years of American domination at Circuit Zolder, Porsche made it through in 2007, 2008 and 2009. GPR Pino, NGT Racing and ProSpeed Competition won the previous editions of the Menzo 24 Hours of Zolder and all those looking to play it safe should without a doubt once again opt for Porsche as the candidate victors. However which Porsche 911 is another question... There are statistics which point in the direction of several teams.
NGT Racing won the race in 2008 and has entered two cars this season, with no less than four former winners at the wheel. The winners of the previous edition, Franz Lamot and David Loix are back together at the wheel of the NGT Racing Porsche 911 GT3‐R, backed up by another former laureate, Ruben Maes. Enzo Ide, the revelation of the season is the fourth musketeer. In the NGT Porsche 911 Supercup Bart Couwberghs, the fourth man to have won at Zolder, together with Geoffroy Horion, David Dermont and newcomer Maarten Makelberge also have every intention of putting up a strong result.
Another team that in previous years has always performed strongly, but never claimed victory is First Motorsport. With Anthony Kumpen, Bert Longin, Henk Haane and Frank Beliën, Jo Jamers in his Porsche 911 GT3 Cups S has a cast iron quartet who will be crossing swords with NGT as from the first few meters. With a victory in Zolder Kumpen could become the sole record holder.
First Motorsport is also entering a Porsche 996, whereby the team through endurance and regularity aims at a top‐5. There are also some outsiders amongst the Porsche brigade. The Thiers brothers enjoyed their best result in Zolder with Porsche, and will be at the start with a fully renewed car. But also AD Sport, Speedlover, Level Racing, McDonald’s Racing and a Limburg Racing Team are putting their trust in Porsche. The latter is a 100% Limburg project, seeing the drivers, the teams, the collaborators, the sponsors as also the team boss all emanate from the same province in the eastern part of Belgium.
Porsche’s main contenders in this weekend's 24 Hours Zolder are KS Motorsport, KRK and Runnymede. In previous seasons KS Motorsport collected a fair number of top places here, and this time around Steve Vanbellingen is out to grab a place on the highest podium. In the last few months the Leuven‐based BMW team has won long distance races both at home (12 Hours of Spa) as also abroad in Lithuania (1000 Km of Palanga), and could well be a thorn in Porsche’s side.
On the other hand KRK will be going all out to keep the American tradition going. Between 2002 and 2006, Dodge and Corvette won five consecutive editions of the Menzo 24 Hours of Zolder and this time around the team comprised of Koen Wauters, Kris Wauters, Patrick Schreurs and Raf Vanthoor will be the only ones defending the colors of the American manufacturers..
On the other side of the Channel, the British Runnymede team will be on hand with an American Mosler with as assignment to conquer Zolder with a Mosler having previously achieved the same feat at Silverstone. Also from Great Britain the Lotus Elise of the Belgian AM Racing.
Last but not least there is Chad Racing who are entering an entirely overhauled Kia Pro’Ceed for Philippe Stéveny, Iain Dockerill, Werner Moonens and Bert Redant, and who could well surprise us all.
