Tactical race after six hours

The Zolder 24 hours is now past the 6-hour mark. This means points to be earned.
The race at front is getting a tactical game between SRT and GLPK. Patrick Selleslagh (SRT): "We do double stints and win about 40" every two stops. I hope that we are capable of staying close to GLPK and by doing so; the race should remain open." At 23.00, Kumpen leads Hart and Goossens.

Even without heat or showers, the race Class-1 already lost already three out seven cars. The major victim till now was the #8 AD Porsche of Wauters/Wauters/Vanierschot/Schreurs. "We had a contact with the PSI Porsche and vibrations caused a major problem in the gearbox. As we have no championship to race for anymore (AD scored no points this year!) we decided to retire and no to take any further risks. We'll be back for the next race, probably with the Viper", explained Kris Wauters.
Other retirements were, as reported earlier, the #9 AD Porsche and #14 S&P Porsche.

In Class-2 Bruno Cloet, brother of Tom crashed heavily in the Rudolph Racing Dodge Viper GT3. Exit for the sole FIA-GT3 in the race. At front, the Prospeed Porsche of Penders & co is still at front and building a cushion. "We will continue this way", commented Luc Gooris, team chef of Prospeed. "I hope that we'll get another overall podium like we did last year. Anyway we take the points after six hours and with the PSI Porsche way back and the BMW behind us, we're happy."
In second and third, the GS BMW and the CEO Porsche of Vollebergh/Van Rossem/De Laet/Maes have a nice battle. But Bert Van Rossem comes in a few minutes before 23.00 for a fuel stop and loses third to the BMW.
The surprise till now is the #34 AD Porsche 993. The old lady, with Stéphane Lémeret behind the wheel at this moment is 10th overall. The car makes incredibly long stints and is the only AD car still running.

Class-3 is way open. The battle between the different Porsches and the Ultima is a classic. The difference between the frontrunners is often less than a minute. The one taking the spoils and the points after 6 hours was without doubt the best gambler...
Finally it's the #50 First Motorsport Porsche of Haane/Meert/Van Delm/Werckx coming through first, with the #48 Speedlover Porsche in second and the gorgeous silver NGT Porsche in third. The latter, with Stef Vancampenhoudt behind the wheel came back from 9th till 3rd in one hour.

Exceptionally, Joost Custers (www.dailysportscar.com) authorizes the use of his article for the www.24u.be website.

VZW 24u.be - De redactie on Saturday 26 August 2006 at 23:29.