ProSpeed Competition loses lead due to problems! NGT leads ahead of MPM by Verbist! Everyone had expected that the 30th edition of the Menzo 24 Hours of Zolder would have revealed all its secrets at the breaking of the day. But apparently not. In reality no one has been spared.... apart from NGT Racing. The team led by Marc Maton had fully prepared itself for this Zolder endurance race and presently Couwberghs, Maes, Bonnaerens and Sluys are thirteen laps ahead of the Porsche 996 GT3 RS of MPM Racing by Verbist.
 The MPM by Verbist Porsche drivers haven't been thrown off balance. Notwithstanding the fact that the car lost ten laps due to a broken wheel, Jos Menten, Markus Palttala, Michel Pulinx and Armand Fumal are presently running in second place. Both Menten and Palttala played a major part in this result, after some impressive night relays.
 KRK Racing alsdo had its share of bad luck. The Dodge Viper Competition Coupé cannot keep up with the pace set by Wauters, Wauters, Heylen and Scheurs. The final drive is showing signs of wear and the car is constantly throwing out oil. With each pitstop the rear bodywork is removed in order to top up the oil. Will the KRK Racing-quartet be able to hold out with six hours still to go?
First Motorsport is holding its own in fourth place. The Porsche with start number 250 is not as fast as the top-three, but thanks to its regularity Lagrange-Nelissen Grade-Verbist-Leest fully deserve their fourth spot. ProSpeed Competition has fallen back into fifth place, a major disappointment for the Porsche works team, presently some eighteen laps down on the leaders. The clutch on the #52 Porsche 997 GT3 Cup S gave up the ghost, undoubtedly as the result of the high pace during the night.
 It should also be mentioned that Bert Longin was forced to park the Mosler on the grass when exiting the Jacky Ickx-chicane. The green-white Sporza power beast was belching smoke heading for the straight at around 10.20hrs. A breakdown vehicle will tow the Mosler back to the pitlane... this time it looks as though the race will be over for Kumpen-Longin-Radermecker. A great pity for Kumpen, but unfortunately his fifth victory in the Menzo 24 Hours of Zolder will not be achieved in this 30th edition.
Leader in Division 2 remains the other First Motorsport Porsche, with father and son Van Rompuy, Belien and Jeuris.
Pictures: Marnik Mouchaers & Valentin Meuwissen
 VZW 24u.be - Gordon McKay on Sunday 31 August 2008 at 10:25. | 
