The good qualifying results during the last round of the FIA GT3 European Championship were very encouraging for all the members of the ProSpeed Competition team. The Porsche 911 GT3-R set the fifth time in qualifying and this position is one the team wants to hold for the remainder of the FIA GT3 European Championship 2011 season. On the 16th and 17th of July, the European GT3 Championship visits the South of France, where the fourth round of the season will be held, on the track of Paul Ricard. The aim of both Porsche teams, van Splunteren-Soulet and Heylen-Lappalainen, is obvious: to progress even more and to get a good result in the races as well. Who will be the fastest? The Porsche #1 in the colours of NEC or the Porsche #2 in the lay- out of GrafiWrap & K-Rauta?

The FIA GT3 European Championship 2011 is a very tough competition, certainly as the arrival of some new cars, far from the original philosophy of the series, has turned the hierarchy on its head. Reigning champion ProSpeed Competition has to deal with this new situation, but is now really making good progression.

The sporting viewpoint: Rudi Penders (Team Manager)

“The Spanish track suited our Porsche 911 GT3-R very well. Our teams ran with different solutions for the set-up of the car and that helped us a lot. Since the races in Spain, we’ve been analysing the data of the cars and that helps us a lot. In France, we want to perform better with both cars, but don’t forget that we already have been faster this year on every single track, compared to last year.”

The driver’s viewpoint: Maxime Soulet, van Splunteren’s team mate (Porsche GT3-R #1)

“We are very motivated for the next round in France, as we have made good progression in Navarra. Finishing fifth in qualifying meant a huge boost for the team and we want more. In Le Castellet, Paul and I want to do the same in the races!”

The driver’s viewpoint: Petri Lappalainen, Heylen’s team mate (Porsche GT3-R #2)

“Jan and I want to score points again, like we did in the past few races, but now we want to get a even better overall position. We are progressing and that’s our motivation for France. Our goal is to perform better during qualifying in order start more at front.”

ProSpeed Competition recently won the price of “Best Technical Team” in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and was rewarded with the “Team of the Year” Award of the RACB. The Belgian team faces a heavy 2011 programme: the European FIA GT3 Championship, the « Le Mans Series », the 24 Hours of Spa and the Belcar Endurance Championship.

Source : ProSpeed Competition