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Spa 2003 miles – Finish
At 12.00, the race seems to find its final destination. The #2 BMW starts to have engine problems, producing a low 5-cylindre sound instead of the regular 6-cylindre hum. On top of this the car hits one of the little Yaris, causing some front left damage and the loss of six more laps. The Jaguar is now leading by over 7 laps and still turning like a Swiss watch. What a car, what a performance…
Right behind the leading duo, three BMW’s are still in an intense battle for 3rd. Two regular Belcar squads (#55 & #8) are leading the Lupant BMW, but nothing is decided yet.
A bizarre decision to the race is avoided when the #2 BMW leaves its pit box and the #9 Jaguar (neighbour box) is entering on the very same moment. Only a last second reaction of David Sterckx prevents a very stupid crash between the two leading cars.
The #9 Jaguar has a broken starter engine and has to be pushed out of the pitlane, causing the crew to get nervous as every stop could now mean the end of the race. Once the car is on the track this isn’t a problem anymore but stopping is a great risk. But no more worries after 2003 miles when the #9 Jaguar crosses the line, winning this great race.
Further down everybody seems to be a winner. Real amateur squads running a Peugeot 205 or a VW Lupo are as delighted as the MI crew. Endurance is great among top professional team but also deserves its chance in a gentlemen championship. Let’s come back for the 2004 miles next year!
Result:
1. #9 Jaguar X-Type Sterckx-Thiry-Dermont-Heydens 464 laps
2. #2 Duller BMW M3 Vosse-Peter-Wolf-Quester Sr - 5
3. #55 BR BMW M3 Meynaert-Mathieu-Voets-Verhoeven - 18
4. #8 KS BMW STW Van Bellingen-Leysens-Haugg - 19
5. #6 Lupant BMW Silh. Slaus-Stelandre-Radermecker - 20
6. #38 SSR Honda Civic R Green-Schmitt-Halsmer-Hein (-2000 cc) - 24
7. #11 Pino BMW Silh. Corbisier-Nef-Delobe-Lemeret - 31
8. #75 CH BMW M3 Heck-Thelen-Vannerum-Haddouche - 33
9. #33 Duller BMW M3 De Thoisy-Du Poix-Hazebrouck - 35
10. #21 Wimi Honda Integra Galand-Raxhon-Wilders-Menage - 53
13. #84 A+ Yaris Van de Plas-Meert-Liard (-1600 cc) - 68
Driver quotes:
Vosse: “We had several little problems and incidents during this race. Probably, we lost the race due to these incidents. I believe that our car is faster but we lacked preparation. But second overall isn’t too bad at all. MI (Jaguar) is a really professional team with lots of experience and they deserve to win. But I’m somewhat surprised by the speed and reliability of the Silhouettes, as is almost everybody.”
Claude Bourgoignie (#69 BMW M5): “The car was build in 1982 and raced for several years in several championships in Belgium. It won the 24 hours of Mettet in ’85 and last raced in 1999. Myself, I drove my last modern race in 1991, so I had a little break too… My friends and I just drive for fun and it’s great to see the car finish!”
Verhoeven (#55 BMW): “3rd is wonderfull, we have a great season as we are actually 2nd in TA in Belcar and we finish on the podium here. I think this race has all the possibilities to grow and the organizers should promote it even more. Touring is back…”
© JF Lemmens & Joost Custers
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