Delahaye Dreamteam ten seconds ahead of the chasing ProSpeed Porsche after 9 hoursA cautious start of the 24 Hours of Zolder left the supposition that the Delahaye Racing Team Renault Mégane Trophy would not be in a position to play along for overall victory, but far from it. Thanks to perfect teamwork and brilliant performances from the drivers the Silhouette pushed its way on through into the lead after four hours of racing. At 00.30 hrs the Mégane's maximum lead amounted to a good one and a half laps, however the game with the pitstops brings the ProSpeed Porsche up to within ten seconds of Anthony Kumpen, who took over from Marc Goossens.
An especially strong stint by David Loix brought the Liege based Porsche up to the front. Ruben Maes in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S of First Motorsport was unable to counter Loix's attack and had to content himself with third place, and presently second in the Belgian GT. Just before 01.00hrs Maes comes in for a seventh pitstop. Jo Jamers decides to fit new brakes under the number 50 car. Damien Coens, who has climbed behind the wheel of the Ferrari F430 GT3 #3, takes over third spot. Henk Haane, who takes over from Maes, slots into fourth, three laps down on the leader.
The progress of the AD Sport Viper appears to stagnate. Kenneth Heyer is constantly lapping in 1:37" but is two laps down on the First Porsche, and no less than six laps from the Delahaye Dream Team Goossens-Kumpen-Sougnez-Soulet. Speedlover continues to confirm. With an excellent third place in the Belgian GT, and sixth overall, Verbist and Verbergt now have a perfect opening for the championship. The Porsche 997 GT3 Cup of André van Hoof is running like Swiss clockwork. Best quartet in the KS Motorsport-clan is the crew of the BMW M3 Silhouette with Moonens-Redant-Gepts-Stoeltie, with a seventh place. Team-mates of the sister team JD Competition continue holding fast in the top-ten, with presently an eighth spot. Last year the Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 experienced difficult times in the 24Hours of Zolder, but during these first nine hours the Italian beast hasn't shown any signs of flinching.
As compared to rankings after six hours the Moore International Motorsport team have moved up one place. Muytjens and cohorts are presently in ninth spot. Good work by the British team with a mainly Belgian line-up. The top-ten is rounded off by two BMW M3 Silhouettes of the KS-team, who have three cars running in the top-ten. A feather in the cap of the KS Motorsport and JD Competition technical crew.
In addition we should note an engine swap for the MTE Racing Astra Silhouette. The team pulled off a difficult feat by replacing the engine of the #23. Retirements from Accent Racing Team (Dodge Viper Competition Coupé), Signa Motorsport (Seat Leon) and the retirement of the Renault Mégane is now a fact. The fire was the result of an engine blow out. Off the record, not as yet official, is the fact that VDS Racing Adventures is throwing in the towel. The Mustang FR500 GT3 #16 is in the box to have its rear drive replaced, but it appears as though the mechanics have given up the battle.
The top ten overall:
1. #6 Delahaye Racing Team - Renault Mégane Trophy - 315 laps
2. #60 ProSpeed Competition - Porsche 996 GT3 RSR +12s
3. #3 Delahaye Francorchamps Motors Racing Team - Ferrari F430 GT3 +1 lap
4. #50 First Motorsport - Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S +4 laps
5. #14 AD Sport - Chrysler Viper GTS-R +6 laps
6. #20 Speedlover - Porsche 997 GT3 Cup +10 laps
7. #22 KS Motorsport - BMW M3 Silhouette +11 laps
8. #10 JD Competition by KS - Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 +15 laps
9. #7 Moore International Motorsport - BMW M3 GTR +20 laps
10. #21 KS Motorsport - BMW M3 Silhouette +21 laps  VZW 24u.be - Gordon McKay on Sunday 23 August 2009 at 03:32. | 
