Peter Hudders (Circuit Zolder): "Four good reasons why next year will be better."

"27 starters is not really what we had hoped for ", Peter Hudders, General Manager Circuit Zolder, opens the conversation. "There are various factors which led to the limited list of entrants. On the one hand there is obviously the rather late marriage between PRC Group and Motorsport Promotion. Christian and Hans have worked hard, but over a period of one month you can't expect miracles. Another major point is the fact that the 24 Hours of Zolder is a healthy mix of three championships. Some seven odd teams compete in two or more championships, which obviously influences budgeting and available means. There's no way around it. The economic downturn played a major part. Many teams and drivers saw their budgets shrink. If they are already working on a limited programme, you can't expect them to start preparing a car for an endurance race so late in the season. Add to that the negative criticisms spread by certain individuals, and one is surprised to see that motorsport comes to be in an unfavourable light. 30 euro for a weekend at Circuit Zolder, 25 euro in pre-sales, this is a democratic price. In pre-sales a Saturday ticket costs a mere 20 euro. We're investing heavily in our peripheral programme, with lots of free events or attractions at greatly reduced prices. A broad public will once again be able to enjoy the pleasant Zolder atmosphere."

Hudders, a West-Fleming , enjoys playing on the card of the Limburg ambiance: "But we need to look further than merely the Limburg. We're investing to put Circuit Zolder back on the map. As an example we received reactions following 20 m²-billboards for the 24 Hours of Zolder, on view at the coast. Looking to the future these investments will definitely be increased. Together with Speedworld Promotion we need to pull in the same direction. It is therefore important that we find a perfect harmony in all our efforts. We need to play on a broad spectrum of media, both from a geographical point of view as also that of target groups. At this moment we have a campaign going; a real topper, but we can always try to evolve further. In the past the communication has mainly been focussed on motorsport, but in order to tempt the masses to the circuit, you need to exercise a certain force of attraction which helps to supports motorsport with say something such as music. Hans Van de Ven and I are fully on the same wavelength in this respect. We're both marketeers at heart, which provides an ideal platform for dialogue and toying with great ideas for a better future."

"Add the power of Christian Lahaye and we have an ideal cocktail to breathe new life into the national motorsport. Speedworld Promotion and Circuit Zolder will form a complementary duo and now together we need to play our trump cards ", the 50 year old Hudders commented looking to the future.

Foto: Marnik Mouchaers

VZW 24u.be - Gordon McKay on Thursday 20 August 2009 at 19:17.