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Until the Finish...
We mentioned it before, in the preview of the Euphony 24 hours; the double points to be earned divided over the 6, 12 and 24-hour marks during the 24-hour race could be reflected in a rather special outcome in the standings. A fast and reliable GTB-car could score good points throughout the race compared to some of the bigger GTA-cars. And this happened...
Despite a win for the SRT-Corvette, the GTB Porsche of Penders / Lamot took very good points throughout the entire race. Thanks to a good overall position after 6, 12 and 24 hours and a very impressive win in GTB for the TT-Racing 996 GT3-RS, the SRT Corvette only regained 4,5 points on its adversary. But what’s more, the Porsche which was sitting second in GT-overall before the start of the 24 hours, 16 points behind the Kuismanen Viper of Perti Kuismanen and Vincent Vosse, and with a 17-point lead on the Goossens / Hart SRT Corvette in 3rd position, took the lead of the championship. Bad luck for the Finnish Viper from Finland, and a remarkable performance from the Porsche, caused a complete turnover in the standings. The Porsche now leads the GT-championship; the SRT-Corvette follows in second, 15,5 points behind, while the Viper dropped back to 3rd.
With another 80 points to be earned, the championship looks to be open as never before, but appearances are deceptive. The Spa Racing Festival will be crucial for the outcome of the Mediagroup Van Dyck Belcar championship. If the Corvette wins twice and the TT-Porsche does the same in GTB, a realistic scenario, the Porsche only has to finish in 3rd and 4th position overall to ensure the Belcar crown. But there still could be the proverbial third dog. The Kuismanen Viper was unlucky during the 24-hour race in August, but has finished on the podium on every other occasion this year. The Chrysler-crew won twice at Spa in April, at the 1000-Km meeting, and will be keen to repeat this performance.
Only three points separate it from the other American beast. SRT declared that it would not calculate points needed, but would aim for two strong wins. A bad result for one the favourites could immediately endanger their title chances.
Mathematically, both Van Sande/Palttala and Bouvy/Menten driving the PSI Porsche Biturbos, could still take the title.