FIA GT Championship

ProSpeed Competition has great ambitions on home ground

© Planetlemans – Marcel ten Caat

The 61st edition of the 24 Hours of Spa is, since 2001, undoubtedly the most prestigious meeting of the FIA GT championship. The race, taking place this year on 25th and 26th July must definitely be counted as one of the classics in the motorsport world, which is why it has a special appeal for teams, drivers, the media and the fans.

“But it is over and above all a round of the FIA GT championship, which we are presently leading, and just for that reason alone we want to win the race”, Rudi Penders commented, looking ahead. In addition to the two Porsche 911 GT3 RSR ProSpeed Competition is entering in GT2, they also have two Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S in GT3 (Group 3) “and in both classes victory is our target”, Rudi Penders stated quite categorically.

Looking back in time we note that ProSpeed Competition last season took a second place in GT2 in the 24 Hours of Spa, as also a fourth place in GT3 (G3). One of the most impressive performances was that of Manu Collard in the Porsche, which he shared with Richard Westbrook and Marc Lieb, bringing the car over the line in second place in GT2, with a total of 244 laps or 10hrs 11’54’’ at the wheel of the ProSpeed Porsche 911 GT3-RSR. This was a record for the 2008 edition. And now in 2009 the Frenchman, together with ProSpeed Competition, is going for gold, together with his British team-mates Richard Westbrook, Sean Edwards and Darryl O’Young (#60 Porsche 911 GT3-RSR).

Manu Collard: “In contrast to the previous editions it is now a race more similar to all the other races of the championship, because now there are only points to be scored after 24 hours, and no longer after 6 and 12 hours. This also means that in the event of problems you can still come back into it without losing any points and that the race to an extent doesn’t weigh quite so heavily in the final overall classification. On top of that I’m pretty optimistic, because this season the car is really good and the team is exceptionally motivated and well oiled. I’m ready to get out there to defend our leader’s position in the championship!”

In the team’s second Porsche 911 GT3-RSR (#61) we have four gentleman drivers, their main target being to drive a steady and regular race and score points in the team championship. The foursome is comprised of Paul Van Splunteren (NL), Raymond Coronel (NL and oldest brother of Tim and Tom), Niek Hommerson (NL) and Louis Machiels (B). Amusing detail is that Van Splunteren is the owner of the Porsche Centrum Eindhoven, and also happens to be the European tuner of the GT4 version of the Porsche 997.

Van Splunteren: “Rudi and I have previously worked together at the beginning of this year during a test day at Paul Ricard. We both have a Porsche dealership (Luik and Eindhoven) and so we share a passion for Porsche and motorsport. On top of that it is great to be able to discuss business together. We happen to be neighbours, but with the border as the dividing line. We can always learn something from one another.”

GT3 >>>

The same strategy will apply to both GT3 cars. “I do indeed have one fast car with which I hope to be doing battle up front, and another car which through its regularity should work its way up through to the front”, Marc Maton, the GT3 team-manager commented.

In the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S with start number #161 we have Markus Palttala (Fin), Oskar Slingerland (NL), David Loix (Bel) and Niki Lanik (Aus). Markus Palttala is driven and realistic in his ambition: “We have a strong car, Porsche being renowned for its endurance capabilities, a highly experienced team and a well balanced line-up. If we drive in a sensible manner, not attack as madmen and work as a real team, then I believe that we have an excellent chance of clinching victory, whilst for me personally a podium place is the absolute minimum.”

The second Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S with start number #160 has a Franco-Belgian compilation with Rémy Brouard (Fr), Christophe Kerkhove (Bel), Eric Havette (Fr) and Philippe Nozière. All eyes will be riveted on the General Manager of the ACO – the organiser of the 24 Hours of Le Mans -, Remy Brouard. The Frenchman will in fact be at the wheel of the Belgian ProSpeed Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S. ACO-top man Brouard has close ties with Spa, and has competed in the race these last 4 years. With his Porsche he has twice clinched a podium place in his class (2005-2007) together with Philippe Nozière. “This gentlemen drivers line up has already done 16 times Spa and I will never forget about Belgium”, explains Rémy Brouard himself.