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Spa Francorchamps

Proximus

05/08/2001

The 24 Hours

Part 8

© Janos Wimpffen

Hour 20

The no. 95 Lamborghini had a mere flat tire. They went back out with no problem. The no. 55 Perrier Porsche was not damaged. The no. 87 Ice Pole Racing Team is an all-Belgian effort. It is an ex-Freisinger 911 GT2 although only a 3.8 atmospheric motor has been installed. It is owned by co-driver Philippe Cornelis and has been tuned by the firm of Pino. It will be entered at the Zolder enduro, along with a GT3R from the team, where it will be a favorite for overall victory. Drivers there will be Kurt Mollekens / Frederic Bouvy / Nicolas Kropp, all of whom are here in various cars this weekend. The car has been capable of 2:45s here in the dry and has had an absolute trouble-free run. Were it not for the reclassification of the no. 78 PSI car, they would have a shot here for Cat. 2 honors. Car owner Cornelis and co-driver Marc Delobe have humble experience in the VW Beetle Cup.

Things are turning from bad to worse for Carsport Holland, all of their own doing. At one point the no. 3 car came into the pits without stopping as the crew was not ready for him — some serious miscommunications. At 10:40 Hezemans came back in and stayed behind the wheel but the damage was done and they are now two laps down to the no. 7 Larbre car (now on full wets in the increased spray and rain). In fact, they are in danger of losing second place to the no. 17 Larbre Viper. Clerico (5th place no. 12 Belmondo Viper) is back on full wets and is complaining about slower drivers and generally poor visibility.

Sad word has come from across the Ardennes at Nürburgring that veteran German sports car driver Ulrich Richter was killed in a German GT event yesterday. He is best remembered as a driving partner to Enzo Calderari and Lilian Bryner during mid-1990s BPR races and other major international events. He was co-winner of the GT class three times at the 24 Hours of Daytona (1194, 1995, 1996). He also won the class at the 1994 Zuhai BPR series race.