Bouvy – Loix: Magnificent in the Trials, Unlucky in the Race

This third race in the Médiagroep Van Dyck Belcar was seriously interrupted by violently stormy weather. The new track at Spa Francorchamps was deluged by a violent downpour from the first race in the qualification trials, followed by strong winds at the end of the race.

GTs bearing an odd number were thus relegated to the end of the grid, the Penders –Lamont Porsche 997 GT3 Cup #51 being 19th. GTs bearing an even number, in turn, occupy the forward positions; the Porsche 997 GT3 Cup #52 driven by Bouvy – Loix made an excellent 4th place!

One of the particularities of the regulation is, in effect, to cause the odd-numbered cars to drive at the beginning of the race and the oddnumbered cars to drive at the end. Since the second race was held in the rain throughout, it made no change to the hierarchy.

The ProSpeed Competition team were therefore compelled to place all their hopes on car #52. All the more so since the difficult weather conditions this Saturday were not displeasing to Bouvy and Loix, who sensed an opportunity to show off their skills.

But Fate decreed otherwise. Although it had suffered no previous malfunctions, the car simply failed to start for the warm-up! The mechanics did their best, but that was the end of the line for #52.

At the wheel of the other ProSpeed, Franz Lamot advanced steadily from the very start of the race, moving ahead several places. A quick pit stop, and Rudi Penders took the wheel with the same objective as his fellow-team mate: to move as far ahead as possible.

Unfortunately, the entry of the Safety Car onto the track 1 h. 15 into the race put an end to his advance in 9th place of the category. The Safety Car is not expected to leave the track before the end of the race.

The ProSpeed Competition team is now preparing for a changed of end-of-month event. On 24 June. Rudi Penders and Franz Lamot are to participate in the FIA GT race at Monza in the Porsche 997 GT3 RSR on 24 June, after which, on 28 June – only 4 days later – it’s the next race of the MVD Belcar at Zolder!

1. Kenis – De Keersmaecker Mosler MT900R

2. Dumarey – Soulet Porsche 997 GT3 Cup

3. Radermecker – Lemeret Mosler Chevrolet MT900

4. Vanthoor – Wauters Dodge Viper Competition

5. Duez – Maes Porsche 997 GT3 Cup

6. Longin – Kumpen Corvette Z06R GT3

7. Perazzini – Cioci Dodge Viper Competition (1st class 4)

8. Neyens – Couwberghs Porsche 996 GT3 Cup (1st class 2)

9. Boden – Van De Velde Dodge Viper Competition

10. Chaillet – Nef Dodge Viper Competition

11. Penders – Lamot Porsche 997 GT3 Cup

12-13 January 24h Dubai
#17 Penders – Lamot – Schrauwen – Van de Velde 3rd general
Winner Quester – Werner – Janis – Campbell Walter – Peter BMW

1 April MVD Belcar Race 1 – Zolder
#51 Penders – Lamot 8th general
#52 De Radiguès – Loix 5th general
Vainqueur Longin – Kumpen Corvette Z06R GT3

22 April MVD Belcar Race 2 – Donington
#51 Penders – Lamot 8th general
#52 Bouvy – Loix 5th general
Winner Radermecker – Lemeret Mosler Chevrolet MT900 GT3

9 June MVD Belcar Race 3 – Francorchamps
#51 Penders – Lamot 11th general
#52 Bouvy – Loix -
Winner Kenis – De Keersmaecker Mosler MT900R

24 June FIA GT Race 4 – Monza

28 June MVD Belcar Race 4 – Zolder

28-29 July FIA GT Race 6 – 24h Francorchamps

19 August Le Mans Series Race 4 – 1000 km Francorchamps

8-9 September MVD Belcar Race 5 – 24h Zolder

30 September MVD Belcar Race 6 – Francorchamps

5-6 October American Le Mans Series Race 11 – Petit Le Mans (Road Atlanta)

21 October MVD Belcar Race 7 – Zolder

- Jean-Francois Vanlaere - also photos