Interview with Roger Dejaeghere - Chief Executive Officer Circuit Zolder A few hours before the start of the 29th edition of the 24 Hours of Zolder, 24u.be had a conversation with Roger Dejaeghere – General Manager of Circuit Zolder. We sounded out Dejaeghere on his vision regarding the present evolution in the Belcar field that since the beginning of this year carries the GT3-banner. How does one perceive the future of Belcar?
"The introduction of the GT3 norm in the Belcar together with the transfer of Belcar to the external and international promoter SRO required a transitional journey. Circuit Zolder together with SRO are working closely together in order to ensure a smooth transition. This obviously means that we have close and on-going communication with all concerned. All this is carried out in a professional and serene environment. Within this context on Thursday 6th September 2007 a meeting was held at Circuit Zolder with the team owners. It is up to them to discuss matters further with their respective teams. Stéphane Ratel, President of SRO International, travelled specially from Adria (where the FIA round is being held) to Zolder. Patricia Indekeu and Stéphane Ratel ran through the Belcar GT3 items on the agenda with the team owners. "
"Through dialogue and constructive participation with the first concerned work is being made to produce the best possible formula for the present as also the future. This is not always an easy exercise. It is running along smoothly even though there are varied opinions (which is only quite normal). Holding these discussions in public in certain conditions only makes it more difficult. When the information is ripe for communication it will most definitely happen in a formal as also a professional manner."
"The outlook for these coming 24 Hours of Zolder is excellent. Circuit Zolder put in a great amount of effort in the promotional field. Media, written as also television, representing all parts of the country are on hand. For the first time 20m² billboards were to be seen in Brussels and surrounding areas. Via several co-marketing campaigns, such as advertising in all McDonald's in Belgium a further advertising spread was carried out in a budget friendly way. Today, without any over estimation we are aiming at 25.000 visitors. The number of sold business seats has never been so high in these last fifteen years, and this with lots of new companies. Should the weather gods do their best tomorrow we could well exceed the predicted number of visitors."
"Care for the visitors is a central theme and is being looked into with great attention. As such a sound installation has been installed in the woods to allow the large number of spectators there to follow the race also. The grandstands specially built for the Champ Car in the Jacky Ickx as also the first left are available free of charge. In order to receive the teams and visitors in better conditions a new office container unit was installed in front of the 'Welcome'. Renewed, refreshed and improved signage is fitted in the paddocks with pointers to a simpler and renewed numbering of the entrances. "
"The presentation of Circuit Zolder was restyled. Seating in the grandstands on the straight at the finish line were cleaned up and given a coat of paint. The new house style is now visible everywhere. The Circuit Zolder personnel and volunteers will all be in new clothes, highly recognisable for the general public (welcome, secretariat, race management, safety ...). In this way they will also add to the revised 'corporate image'. Thanks to the continued support of Ford Genk the fleet of cars at Circuit Zolder is being renewed. All new cars are being sprayed in recognisable colour codes and bearing the new house style logo. Six new S-Max and two Mondeos will be prominently on view. "
The arrival of the Champ Car brought about various improvements to the circuit. The track is now safer and was highly appreciated by the top drivers of the Masters of Formula 3 and the Champ Car. The American organisers have already confirmed that they would like to return next year in the spring time, more specifically on 8th June. Our own Belcar drivers are also over the moon regarding the improvements. All these actions (and quite a few more) were taken by Circuit Zolder with a view to being a top player of the European circuits' scene. The season has therefore also received numerous offers from international top series. I truly hope that all the above mentioned will motivate all those who are involved and open to discussion and speculation and will, in a constructive manner, put their shoulders behind the project, and in this way team up with the Circuit Zolder organisation, the promoters and all the other partners. It's easy to split hairs, but it is so much more useful to try to work together and at the same time help Circuit Zolder.
Picture: Martijn Wouters
 VZW 24u.be - Gordon McKay on Saturday 8 September 2007 at 14:36. | 
