Belcar Zolder – Qualifying
Super Goossens Again
© Joost Custers

The first round of the 2005 MVD Belcar championship looks really promising. The entry list not only shows quantity – 45 cars – but also quality, as described earlier in our Belcar preview. There are no major withdrawals for the opening round. We only find five British drivers present though, as both RSR and Redhouse Racing did not show up. Present are: Robert Croydon - Stealth, James Pete - LVC Z3, Peter Cook – Point Porsche RS and Willie Moore and Dave Cox on the Moore BMW M3.
The only surprise on the entry-list is the AD Porsche 993 Turbo, replacing the 996 RS. This car runs a 2.1 ‘baby ‘turbo. This engine was first used in type 911 in the seventies but also in the 936 and later the Dauer.

In free practice on Saturday morning, Marc Goossens was quickest with a 1.33. The Stealth went off in the closing stages of the session, and the car will not be seen again this weekend. A problem with the chassis, discovered as the car was checked after the little adventure, might make it too dangerous to continue.

The first official qualifying was held under a bright sky, which could change later during the weekend. Kumpen set the first provisional pole of the season, but minutes later followed by Goossens. After only five minutes, the session was red flagged as oil made the surface very slippery.

Marc Goossens stayed at front after the session resumed. A surprise was the performance of some of the GTB 996s. Palttala and Penders both set top 10 times; the flying Finn was fifth half way through the session

As the even numbers come out, Bouvy (#4 PSI Porsche Biturbo) takes second from Kumpen and Perti Kuismanen goes into fourth. A stunning performance comes from Georg Severich in the GS BMW M3 GTR. The former German DTM driver sets a 1.35.668, good enough for the top 10.

Cars not appearing in this first session were the Saker, due to several technical problems, the Mazda (withdrawn), the Marcos LM600 (differential).

Vosse, in the #2 Kuismanen Viper took pole in the opening stages of the second session. Vincent Vosse set a good 1.31.159. It’s now a matter of waiting for the odd numbers to come out to see what Marc Goossens can do with the Corvette, and Anthony Kumpen with the Viper.

Few competitors seemed to go any faster, and after 30 minutes, only Vosse and Derdaele (#34 Ultima) do any better. The latter took third in GTB. Pole in GTB was never in danger; the PSI RSR of Palttala is playing in another league.

In the closing stages, both Kumpen and Goossens atatcked Kuismanen’s time. Mister Pole Position does it again: 1.29.845! The SRT Corvette is at front for the first race of the season. Kumpen took second with a 1.30.989.

Top 10 Qualifying Times
1. #7 SRT Corvette 1.29.845
2. #1 GLPK Viper 1.30.989
3. #2 Kuismanen Viper 1.31.159
4. #4 PSI Porsche Biturbo 1.32.544
5. #3 RS Porsche Biturbo 1.34.695
6. #5 PSI Porsche RSR (GTB) 1.35.470
7. #6 AD Porsche Biturbo 1.35.609
8. #72 GS BMW M3 GTR (Touring) 1.35.668
9. #31 TT Porsche RS (GTB) 1.36.540
10. #29 AD Porsche 993 T (GTB) 1.37.095