GHK Racing by T2 crowned Belcar Endurance vice champions
ZOLDER - An end of an era within Belcar... That's the best way to describe the weekend as the last race of the season was all about our beloved Norma's, which will be completely banned from the Belgian championship next season and we still don’t know the real reason. We start the race weekend early this time on Friday for the team when they arrive at 9 o'clock in the paddock. We won't be able to get into action until late in the afternoon when the first free practice session for the Belcar participants takes place. We'll be coming to the start with a completely renewed bodywork as a result of the damage sustained during the 24 hours, so a good test to see how well the car has coped with the 24 hour race. We have beautiful weather and can set a 2nd time without any problems.
Saturday we have to get up very early because at 9.05 am we start the 2nd free practice. We stepped up a gear and made up a bit of time on our front runner, but ended up back in 2nd place. Time to go through some data, watch some videos before we have the qualification in the late afternoon. After noon Nova Proto Benelux plans an unofficial farewell moment where some cars from our proto class will be present with drivers. This to make clear that we regret that our beloved cars can no longer participate in the championship. This action also attracts the eyes of some motorsport websites which will report on this. Giving everything is then the message because we want to finish the last race in beauty and qualifying is very important after they changed the line-up during the season with the GT's next to us. Conditions are good and I set the fastest time of the session for our car and also a new personal record for myself. Unfortunately in the end it was still not enough to get the Norma of Kraft/PK Carsport behind us.
We start the race on Sunday behind our yellow opponent on row 2. We go from our fixed lineup so Ian will start the race. And as always with the GTs, it appears to be another difficult and very treacherous start, we fall back a few positions but cling to the Norma of Kraft who also had to give up his leading position to the Norma of McDonald's. Unexpectedly, Ian comes to the pit lane after about an hour after he suddenly feels a drop in engine power. During this pit stop where I took over the wheel we lost a few laps on the leader. It's a race to catch up, and we can't find a clear sign of what's going on. Later it will appear that when the fuel level drops below a certain level, the pump has problems injecting fuel towards the engine. After more than an hour Pieder takes the 3rd and last stint for himself after I am forced to come in again with the fuel pump problem. Kraft will then also experience problems a little later and end up in the box. A opportunity for us to climb back up to the podium. Our fuel crew is doing everything to get fuel in the tower as quickly as possible in case Pieder gets problems, so that he can come in for a quick fuel stop and continue his race without losing too much time. Just before the end, we are forced to make that third unscheduled stop for this. This will not affect the result, and we end the race with a hard fought third place. Ian takes the fastest lap time of the race. So the last race we finish nicely on the podium, and in the final classification we can call ourselves the proud Belcar endurance vice champion.
I would also like to thank everyone who was part of this great season. First of all my personal sponsors who made it all possible. Also the team, GHK Racing by T2 who did everything they could to make us fight for the top prize in the most perfect conditions and with a perfect Norma. Last but not least I would like to thank family, friends and supporters for your support along the sidelines! To everyone, THANK YOU!
