On Thursday evening ProSpeed Competition performed brilliantly during the qualifying sessions in the 63rd edition of the 24 Hours of Spa. The two Porsche 911 GT3-R, bearing the colours of CPL Trans & GrafiWrap and NEC-Chopard, put in excellent lap times and started as second and sixth in one of the major GT races in the world. Following a brilliant start in front of packed grandstands, the Liege based team found themselves leading the race.
“What happened then is something you only come across in your worst nightmare”, is how Rudi Penders, team manager started the conversation later. “Ludovic Sougnez misjudged matters at the “Bus Stop” chicane and skidded into his team mate Marc Goossens. Both cars were badly damaged and lost all hope of achieving a strong result. Prior to the start we had aimed at an overall podium for Goossens-Heylen-Soulet and a podium in the Pro-Am class for Van Splunteren-Miller-De Crem-Sougnez, as also a place up near the top in the rankings. This is a dark weekend for everyone involved with the team, the drivers of both cars, the engineers, the technical crew, the sponsors and the partners… We can do nothing else but close this chapter as soon as possible and look to the future. Allow me just the opportunity to congratulate our clients, Freeman Gepa and Level Racing, for their performance in these 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.”
Once again ProSpeed Competition proved that after this race incident in the opening minutes that it has a highly professional technical crew, because notwithstanding the damage incurred by both cars they were able to get them back on track in less than one hour. Various unrelated conditions meant that both cars were later forced to retire early from the race.
Paul van Splunteren’s viewpoint (#74 NEC & Chopard Porsche 911 GT3-R):
“After the repairs to our car, which had serious damage to its chassis, we consciously made a point of sending Ludovic back on track. He made a mistake, but I also see this as a major element in training up a young driver. Once again he set excellent lap times and I appreciate that. It goes without saying that we are all disappointed, but this is part of motorsport. On behalf of all the drivers I would wish to thank the entire team for the highly professional manner in which they went to work after the accident. During the early evening we all unanimously decided to end the race.”
Marc Goossens’s viewpoint (#75 CPL Trans & GrafiWrap Porsche 911 GT3-R):
“The front of our car was damaged, the steering and the steering unit, but we also managed to get back into the race. Just as we were back in the top-20, and just as it was becoming light again a technical fault finally put an end to our race. As from now we need to concentrate on the 24 Hours of Zolder and the rest of the Belcar season.”
Recently elected « Best Technical Team » at the recent 24 Hours of Le Mans, ProSpeed Competition has a very heavy programme in sight: the « Le Mans Series », the European Championship FIA GT3, the 24 Hours of Spa and the Belcar Endurance Championship.
Source : ProSpeed Competition