Menzo 24 Hours of Zolder: voices from thepitlane, just before the start

Christian Kelders - GPR Pino Racing: "We're going all out for victory. The line-up is good, the consumption is good... we hold all elements in hand to battle it out for victory. We'll need to go sparingly with the material. Especially the clutch, which suffers enormously... but we should succeed. Pino did evertything in his powers to prepare perfect car. And preferably sun than rain!"

Benny Smets - KS Motorsport: "We lack power, but we knew that before going into this adventure. The Ginetta needs to count on regularity. The car is in perfect order and we'll be able to drive longer stints than the other competitors. Our intention is to finish, and as high as possible in the rankings."

Eddy Renard - Sport Garage: "Victory, I won't be satisfied with anything less. All four of us will be driving double stints, and the other cars which consume more can't do that. Should they try they'll be over the maximum driving time of the drivers, so their shorter stints will be to our advantage.."

Loris de Sordi - team manager Gravity Racing International: "I'm not fully in agreement with the organisers, but we'll put I aside. We have done everything possible to prepare a perfect race car for our drivers. Hopefully we won't need to increase the pace later on in the race, and spare our material."

Fred Bouvy - Francorchamps Motors: "The heat will undoubtedly be a major factor. The team has worked hard and the car feels good. We're going to do our utmost. I expect that quite a few teams will put on the pressure in the beginning... and if necessary we'll do the same for the few minutes. "

Hans Thiers - Scuderia Monza: "There are quite a few likely candidates for victory and if we're honest we're not amongst them in the first instance. Many people have commented: we're driving our own race, but then decide to go into the attack. With us it is different. We're not taking any notice of anyone and will start off gently. The 2008-spec of the Ferrari is reasonably aggressive on the gearbox... which became quite apparent in Francorchamps during the 24 Hours. We looked for a 2007-kit,but couldn't find one. We'll manage with what we have and see what the outcome will be. Hopefully we'll be able to drive for 75 minutes per stint at our rhythm, and make up time in that way."

Rafael Van Der Straeten - VDS Racing Adventures: "No one has ever raced a Ford Mustang FR500 in a 24 hours race. We're going to do it! Finishing the race is our objective. We're at the start with a true GT4-car. He only fear we have are the brakes. It is truly a step into the unknown, and we're going for it!"

VZW 24u.be - Gordon McKay on Saturday 30 August 2008 at 15:31.