DONINGTON. Racing for Belgium’s debut in the Mediagroep Van Dyck Belcar definitely did not go unnoticed. Following on from an excellent performance earlier this month at Zolder Ron Marchal and Wim Coekelbergs finished in a strong third place at Doningtom this last weekend. “We’re obviously delighted with the result, and especially clinching our first podium place here in England, on the DBRS9’s home ground makes it even more enjoyable. For us this is the ideal foundation upon which to further develop the Aston-story and build on the future.”

The qualifying sessions for the team from Bornem, Belgium ran smoothly. Without taking any risks Ron Marchal clocked up a fifth place and both drivers had sufficient time with which to acclimatise themselves and the Aston with the British circuit. “Together with the Prodrive engineers we worked hard at getting the set-up sorted, and this was geared to the race. We finally opted for a somewhat conservative solution, concentrating on keeping the car’s consumption under control.”

Wim Coekelbergs took the start and drove a cautious and sensible stint. “I lost a few places during the bustle at the start, we are slower then the Porsches, but little by little I worked my way up. At the halfway mark I was back in the top-6 and handed over the Aston in perfect condition to Ron.”
“The car was in fact perfect”, Marchal continued. “I was able to go full out and attack and finally finished in third place. A second place might have been possible, what with the problems the Corvette experienced, but after their strong race they deserved second spot. We are really pleased with our result and will be working hard on our progress with a view to further improving our score in the future.”

Regarding the race Wim Coekelbergs also raised the possibility of a future reference time for the pistops.
Coekelbergs: “You need to take into account that we are competing in a championship with cars almost all producing identical power. In the FIA GT3-championship, let’s call it the parent championship; they logically opted for a reference time for the pitstops, so why not have this in Belcar? I’m really pleased that this will be under discussion and we now need to hold talks with everybody.”

In the coming days the FIA will be establishing the equivalences amongst the different GT3s. The tests carried out in Nogaro, Adria and Dijon have revealed that a few interventions are still required, and this prior to the start of the international GT3 season.

Results Belcar:
http://www.raceresults.nu/ResultsUitslagen/tabid/75/organisator/2007/evenement/Belcar+2007/race/2+-+Unipart+F3-GT+Festival/Default.aspx

Mediagroep Van Dyck Belcar

31 March - 1 April - First Race - Zolder
21-22 April - British GT & F3 Donington - (UK)
9-10 June - 12 Hours Spa - Francorchamps
28 June - Midsummer Race - Zolder
8-9 September - 24 Hours of Zolder – Zolder (Conditional)
29-30 September - Francorchampagne - Francorchamps
20-21 October - Last Race – Zolder (+WK FIA GT)