Belcar Update
In the new Class I, the class for FIA GT1 cars and national GTs,
two of the successful teams from 2005 will be back in the new year.
PSI will again
enter two of its 996 Biturbo chassis (looking like 997s), while
Russell Racing, the team of the three Thiers brothers (Hans, Kurt
and Frank), has bought the ex-Palttala car and will enter this one
in the entire championship. The team is selling the 996 RS that
twice won the GTB class in the Zolder 24 hours (’03 and ’04).
(www.russellracing.be)
SRT will also return, as reported in the previous
news item, but for two other top teams the future in Belcar remains
uncertain. Kuismanen Racing and GLPK are currently still looking,
but nothing is decided yet. Bert Longin indicated that the Carsport
/ GLPK C5-R wouldn’t be seen in Belcar for budgetary reasons.
Teams running normally aspirated cars seem to be
somewhat upset about the size of the restrictors for the Porsche
Biturbo. The new Belcar rules are more liberal for the Zuffenhausen
twin turbo than are FIA rules.
In Class 2, the major news is the departure of Qvick
Motors to the BTCS. The beautiful Ultima is for sale, because Erik
Qvick is not happy with new rulebook, where Touring cars up to 5
litres race in the same class as his 3.6 litre BMW Ultima. He will
enter an Opel Astra Silhouette in the BTCS next year.
MRS, the team from Leuven with its Vertigo, is also
leaving Belcar. The little Alfa racer will be seen in the Dutch
Super Car Challenge.
There is some good news though: Rudi Penders will
be back in Belcar with an entirely new organisation - a joint venture
with race engineer Luc Goris. The brand new team, the name of which
will be unveiled shortly, will run at least one and probably two
996 GT3-RSs.
H&M will also run an RS.
GS Motorsport could run one its BMW M3 GTR V8s in
class 2 and on the silhouette front, Steve van Bellingen enters
two BMWs: his team has switched from Elegi to Schnitzer for the
preparation of its engines.
In Class 3, the Porsche 996 Cup will be the weapon
to have. First Motorsport will have at least one, maybe two 996s.
If the Dubai 24 hours adventure is a success, the team of Jo Jamers,
father of Kelly, could also enter the Spa 24 hours. N-GT will also
run one Porsche, as will several others.
MSE, G&A and GS Motosport will enter BMW M3s.
The latter could also run one or two 996 Supercup Porsches.
Joost Custers
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