Bert Longin heads off to the 24 Hours of Zolder full of hope

Leuven based Bert Longin is hopeful for a good outcome in the Menzo 24 Hours of Zolder. Notwithstanding the fact that the Mosler MT900 GT3 appeared fragile in Dijon, Zolder and Spa-Francorchamps, Longin retains his full trust in the strength of the Gravity Racing Team: "We decided to enter only one car. The technical crew will be headed up by Willy Plas and everyone can fully concentrate on our car. During the first race of the season it was quite apparent what the combination of car-drivers was capable of. And we want to draw this thread on through next week in Zolder."

For the Menzo 24 Hours of Zolder Longin, together with his team mate Anthony Kumpen, will be moving over to the power beast bearing start number 25: "A strategic choice. This car has previously finished in a 24 hours race and is of an earlier generation. Our regular car, a brand new model, is still suffering from teething problems. With Vincent Radermecker as our third man we have a pretty strong line-up for this event."

In fact Longin, Kumpen and Radermecker will have to make do without a fourth driver. "Physically it makes it heavier, but strategically speaking we have an advantage. All three of us are fast, able to find the right rhythm and this without hurting the car. It's now a question of waiting to see what our colleagues in Division 3 will be doing. Belgium Racing (Derdaele-Vanierschot-Marchal-Dujardin) and JD Competition (Verbergt-Hemroulle-De Laet) have a fast line-up and could easily cruise through to the finish with a Porsche Biturbo, without having to put strain and pressure on the car. Should we have that possibility we would in fact opt for the same strategic choice."

The last time Longin was up on the top tread of the podium was back in 2004. Together with Hezemans, Lamy and Kumpen he clinched victory with the Chrysler Viper GTS-R in the colours of GLPK Racing.

VZW 24u.be - Gordon McKay on Sunday 24 August 2008 at 12:13.