PK Carsport Audi Secures Well-Deserved Podium Finish at 24 Hours of Zolder
The PK Carsport team delivered an impressive performance in the 46th edition of the 24 Hours of Zolder, with their #1 Audi R8 LMS GT2 driven by Bert Longin, Stienes Longin, Peter Guelinckx, Sam Dejonghe, and South African Arnold Neveling, finishing in a well-earned third place after a challenging race.
Under sunny skies and in front of tens of thousands of spectators, the race at Zolder kicked off with great momentum. The start, taken by record-holder Bert Longin, was marked by a fantastic atmosphere that brought back memories of the glory days of the Belcar Endurance Championship. PK Carsport, a fixture in the national endurance championship, had already made an impression by securing pole position.
However, the race was not without its hurdles. Unexpected Full Course Yellow situations forced the team to revise their strategy early on. Despite these setbacks, the professional PK Carsport team, led by Anthony Kumpen, demonstrated their resilience and determination. This was particularly evident when Sam Dejonghe recorded the fastest lap of the race on Sunday, despite the changing weather conditions and corresponding tire challenges.
The team also faced a disadvantage with the Balance of Performance (BoP), which seemed to favor the Porsche teams. Team manager Anthony Kumpen expressed his concerns about the impact of the BoP on the race but emphasized that the team remained fully focused on the race despite the unfavorable rules.
With a strong final push, the PK Carsport team ultimately secured a podium finish. Stienes Longin and Peter Guelinckx expressed their satisfaction with the race, with Longin stating that this was one of his best 24-hour races ever. Guelinckx highlighted that every 24-hour race he has driven with PK Carsport and the Longins has resulted in a podium finish.
Bert Longin, with seven victories in the 24 Hours of Zolder to his name, expressed his pride in the entire team. Although he mentioned that this is his last full season in motorsport, he left the door open for a potential return if his son Stienes finds a winning car next year.
With this performance in the 24 Hours of Zolder, PK Carsport has once again demonstrated why they are among the top contenders in endurance racing.
