Tom Cloet in the SRT Corvette C5-R, Bruno Cloet in the Rudolph Racing Dodge Viper!

Following on from his recent appearances at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (Porsche 996 GT3-RSR) and the 24 Hours of Spa (Porsche 997 GT3 Cup), Tom Cloet is well on the track to making a name for himself in the endurance racing world. This coming weekend with the 24 Hours of Zolder he will be once more be taking on another major challenge at the wheel of the SRT team’s renowned Corvette C5-R, whilst his younger brother Bruno with the Grouwels brothers will be taming a gleaming Dodge Viper Competition Coupe of the latest generation. The heat is on…

Even if the 24 Hours of Spa represents the apex of the Belgian track season, less than one month later the 24 Hours of Zolder will be hitting the headlines with its great atmosphere, mass of spectators and fabulous cars on the track which is known for being tough on both drivers and cars. This is all that Tom et Bruno Cloet, forever reunited under the CTB Racing banner, needed to set about negotiating to be a part and parcel of this major meeting. They had promised us some great surprises…and they didn’t disappoint us !

Judge for yourselves. For this specific race Tom Cloet will be teaming up with Marc Duez (no less !), Maxime Soulet and David Hart at the wheel of the Corvette C5-R of Patrick Selleslagh’s SRT team. No less than the same car that proved itself during these same 24 Hours of Zolder last year.. "Initial contact was made during the 24 Hours of Le Mans ", Tom explains, "as I was really dying to drive this superb Corvette. I have known Patrick Selleslagh for more than ten years, and I know that the trust is mutual. I had the opportunity to test the C5-R over some ten laps on the Zolder circuit. What a car ! Easy to handle ! I reckon that this adventure will be quite exceptional on all fronts …"

The message is pretty clear this time, Tom Cloet is amongst the favourites of these 24 Hours A situation that in no way unsettles him … "It’s true that with some of these previous endurance events I competed in I was principally after a class win. This time around its different, however in the V de V competition which I regularly compete in with the Ligier Proto, my teammates and I also go out for an overall win. So there’s no stress…The major thing is to apply one self, remain focused and follow the team’s instructions.

19 months younger than Tom, Bruno Cloet also has every intention to prove himself during these 24 Hours of Zolder. He has joined the Rudolph Racing team of the’ Grouwels brothers, Roger and Edward, who are entering their gleaming Dodge Viper Competition Coupe in Class 2. “ Recently this car experienced major brake problems, but these have been sorted out", Bruno commented “ A short while back I also tested the car at Zolder, a question of getting to know this Dodge. All in all a conclusive test. Confidence reigns, let the party begin…

First free practice and qualifying sessions for these 24 Hours this coming Wednesday. The actualstart will be given on Saturday and the dot of 17:00 hours. Gentlemen, start your engines

VF/Cloet press

VZW 24u.be - De redactie on Tuesday 22 August 2006 at 00:13.