The Marc VDS Racing Team retired from the 24 Hours of Zolder while leading the race. The driving team of Bas Leinders, Nick Catsburg, Henri Moser and Markus Palttala had shown good and consistent pace until a problem in the drive train stopped the car on track.
Starting from second position on the grid, first driver Leinders immediately took the lead. The car was in contention for the lead throughout the first hours, only losing the position with each cycle of the pit stops.
Marc VDS debutant Catsburg impressed the team with good consistency and mature driving when he handled the second double stint, managing fading brakes and some difficult traffic to retain a front running position. Moser, racing for the first time with this crew of drivers but a regular Marc VDS driver in the Blancpain Endurance Series, posted target lap times and continued the team’s plan into the seventh hour despite losing out at the beginning with a front brake change.
Palttala began his eighth 24 Hours of Zolder smoothly, the decision taken by the team to slow the pace and preserve tyres to allow a double stint. However, shortly after his fuel stop, the car experienced a big problem and a sudden loss of drive into the first corner. The car stopped shortly before turn four, and though the team returned it to the box, the decision was taken to retire the car. The diagnosis was a broken differential.
The team have two weeks to prepare the car before continuing to pursue the Blancpain Endurance Series title, at the Nürburgring on 22 and 23 September.
Markus Palttala: “We were really fighting hard and having a good race, pushing but being careful. We’ve failed with a technical problem that, really, could have happened at any time. If the differential fails, it fails. It isn’t something the team did wrong. When you are a race driver your only focus is the race you are doing but really, it’s good this didn’t happen at Francorchamps and I hope it doesn’t happen in the last BES races. Yes, we’re disappointed but we’ll be fine on Monday and concentrating on the next race.”
Bas Leinders: “It’s a disappointment to retire. The differential broke and this is something that would normally be perfect – we’ve never had a problem with it. I’m so happy with the preparation and the effort the team put in, the pit work was exceptional and the failure is not their fault. On the driving side, we know well Markus’ qualities, and Henri joined us and fitted straight in. Nick did an extremely good job as a last minute replacement and he did everything we could have expected from him. He is a fast, intelligent team player. I don’t think we got the result we deserved.”
Source : Marc VDS Racing Team