The Marc VDS Racing Team secured a front row start for the 24 Hours of Zolder. Belgian driver Bas Leinders, who will share with Markus Palttala, Henri Moser and Nick Catsburg, placed the #3 BMW Z4 GT3 second after qualifying.

With conditions dry all day and expected to stay the same for the race, the team concentrated heavily during the day on set up of the car for fuel consumption and tyre wear. Track time is severely limited with just one day’s running before the race and, with four drivers needing to drive the car, the team ran an efficient program.

All four drivers reported that they were happy in the car, so in the final night qualifying Leinders was able to run a qualifying lap. His 1:29.722 was less than three tenths from pole position. With all the top three teams within a second, it promises to be an exciting race.

The race begins at 16:00 local time on Saturday 08 September finishes at 16:00 Sunday 09 September.

Sebastien Metz, Technical Director: “The main job today was to get a good set up in place for the race and to be able to double stint the tyres. We’re not far away from that. There was some pleasure to see a good lap time from Bas, but the set up was more important. Having tested here we knew we were in a good position, and we improved today. We had very small issues, but they’re sorted and it’s better to have them in practice than in the race.”

Bas Leinders: “It is really nice to start on the front row at my home race. I did my first lap of a race car at Zolder, so to be on the front row with Marc VDS is an honour. We focused on a race set up, with four drivers needing to get laps in the car. I only did a handful of laps today, in the morning and then the night laps. We form a good team – but of course we miss Max and I hope he gets better soon! Nick has fitted straight in, which is fantastic. The reason we came here was to have a good fight, and the top three Belgian GT teams are all here. I hope we can make a good spectacle for the fans.”

Source : Marc VDS Racing Team