Kuismanen Competition tops the charts in free practice - Bad luck for AD Sport Kuismanen Competition experienced a strange free practice session. For a while the Chrysler Viper GTS-R remained inside with engine problems, after which it easily climbed up to the top of the ranking. "As compared to what the timing showed it wasn't Duncan Huisman who clocked up the best time. Together with our new Swedish team-mate I drove in the free practice. Later on he'll get the opportunity to acclimatise himself to the car. Karl Hasenbichler and Duncan Huisman have enough experience, and I know how the Viper handles. True to tradition the 24 Hours of Zolder is a heavy race. It's important that we spare the car as much as possible. This goes for the engine, the clutch, brakes and all he other working parts. Everyone says that were too fast. We are fast, but those that spend the least time standing still in the pits will win the race! We're not leaving anything to chance. On Friday we will be replacing the engine and gearbox ", a happy Pertti Kuismanen commented.
 The second time was for Fréderic Bouvy with the Ferrari F430 GT3 of Delahaye Racing Team. Last year the Ferrari driver managed to finish in fourth place, but this year the expectations are once again high. Amongst others Kurt Mollekens was called upon to spur on the Italian beast. The other Chrysler Viper, straight out of the AD Sport stables, ended the free practice in third place. Notwithstanding that it wasn't a problem free session for the American muscle car: "There's something wrong with the electricity consumption. Wim Lumbeeck came to a standstill entering the REA, and in the meantime the alternator is being replaced. We hope that this will solve the problem. ", Menno Kuus told us.
 At the end of the session Anthony Kumpen, Marc Goossens, Maxime Soulet and Ludovic Sougnez brought the Renault Mégane Trophy of Delhaye Racing Team up into fourth spot: "We're presently able to follow the pace ", Kumpen remarked. "The Viper has preserntly been running in new components. In qualifying things will go faster. You don't need to teach me anything about that car. I have spent enough hours at the wheel of such a car. I can understand the promoters' point of view. They couldn't refuse any cars, but in my opinion the Kuismanen Viper should have competed under different conditions. For me personally it doesn't matter that much, but I can understand that certain teams aren't really that happy."
 The top-five is rounded off by an exceptionally fast Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 of JD Competition by KS, whilst AD Sport and KRK Racing were more negative. The Porsche 996 Biturbo of Albert Vanierschot came to an early standstill: "The lowest left front supporting arm broke off. The car is entirely rebuilt and fully renewed. Ours mechanics are presently working hard to prepare the car for the evening qualifying session ", AD Sport team manager Frank Thuriaux told us. During the free practice KRK Racing didn't play a leading part. De Dodge Viper Competition Coupé, presently leading the Belgian GT-classification, didn't make it into the top-fifteen. "Nothing wrong ", team manager Edwin Segier commented. "We needed to run in some components before the race."
1. #12 Kuismanen Competition - Chrysler Viper GTS-R - 1:35,201 (leader DSMEC)
2. #3 Delahaye Francorchamps Motors Racing Team - Ferrari F430 GT3 +0,972 (leader BGTC)
3. #14 AD Sport - Chrysler Viper GTS-R +1,373
4. #6 Delahaye Racing Team - Renault Mégane +2,573 (leader BTCS)
5. #10 JD by KS Motorsport - Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 +2,723
6. #50 First Motorsport - Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S +3,075
7. #11 Equipe Verschuur - Renault Mégane +4,001
8. #60 ProSpeed Competition - Porsche 996 GT3 RSR +4,303
9. #44 Topcats Racing - Mosler MT900 GT3 +4,768
10. #22 KS Motorsport - BMW M3 Silhouette +5,742
Photos: Marnik Mouchaers & Valentin Meuwissen
 VZW 24u.be - Gordon McKay on Wednesday 19 August 2009 at 19:48. | 
