This year the 24 Hours of Spa is undoubtedly one of the greatest endurance races for GT cars. With a battle between all the most prestigious makes which we come across in the GT racing world, this 24 hours race at Spa, on 30th and 31st July promises to take its place in the annals of motorsport. It goes without saying that this race is highlighted in red in the agenda of the most successful Belgian GT team of the moment, namely ProSpeed Competition.
Rudi Penders, the first question speaks for itself: what are ProSpeed Competition’s ambitions in Spa?
“Quite naturally the ambition of every top team at Spa, to clinch victory. This season it’s a simple given fact, the GT3s are the royal class and they are going all out for victory at Spa. We at ProSpeed Competition are convinced that the Porsche 911 GT3-R is the best weapon with which to do battle for victory. The Porsche is fast, reliable and economical and we have a highly homogenous team of drivers, in both cars, in their individual classes of Pro and Pro/Am. If you then add our experience of Spa as also the knowledge and the team’s passion you reach the conclusion that you just have to go for victory. Ultimately this is also in the Porsche’s genes, the make we represent and which has won no less than six times at Spa.”
What are those Porsche values in motorsport?
“The on-going aim is to be at the topmost echelon in the sport; taking in the entire sport environment, in a nutshell “Intelligent Performance”. Both on the track as also on the technological front, taking in the team’s work and the spirit in which the victories are achieved, and always striving to achieve the utmost. Reliability, economy and speed, put briefly, efficiency: ProSpeed Competition propagates these values in each competition, both at a national and international level. These values count in our team, as also in the Porsche dealership and which are both literally and figuratively linked to the team.”
We know ProSpeed Competition from the national and international competitions: does the team actually have other activities?
“Yes definitely. Amongst others our participation in international championships such as the Le Mans Series or the FIA GT3 is a major part of our activities, as also the national championship, namely the Belcar Endurance Championship. Because keeping an alliance with the national motorsport is something which we, Luc Goris and I, hold close to our hearts. Sport on home ground is the basis of our activities which means that it is highly important, also with a view to our relations with many of our partners and clients of the concession. In addition there is also the technical support – such as for a tailor-made set-up – a rebuild for clients in Porsche Club Sport or other competitions, are all part and parcel of our activities, as are also the refurbishing of individual components. We have also recently developed components for the rally version of the Porsche GT3.”
But ProSpeed Competition also works on behalf of Porsche Motorsport?
“We do indeed work for Porsche, with for example carrying out development assignments. However please note that this is not the development of cars per se, but rather involves the research of components in the competition field, with for example the cooling of the brakes or Porsche’s representation in the FIA GT3 Balance of Performance. Obviously this work emphasizes the direct link between our team and the parent company.”
What would Rudi Penders still wish to achieve with ProSpeed Competition?
“In a top sport you must never dwell too long on successes. We became champions in FIA GT2 and FIA GT3; however the Le Mans Series or the upcoming 24 Hours of Spa are still missing from our record of achievements. Last year we also just missed out on the title on home ground and so this year we would only be too pleased to bring that back to our workshops. Top sport is never ending, you always need to continue to give the best of yourself and strive after new goals!” Elected Best Technical Team at the recent 24 Hours of Le Mans and Team of the Year 2010 by the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium, ProSpeed Competition faces a heavy 2011 program: the Le Mans Series, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the European FIA GT3 Championship, the 24 Hours of Spa and the Belcar Endurance Championship.
Looking for more? Have a look below.
- ProSpeed Competition shows off iBird livery for 24 Hours of Le Mans
- Belcar: ProSpeed Competition keeping a cool head for Zolder
- Belcar: Prospeed Competition starts with a win at Zolder
- FIA GT3: Prospeed Competition and Belgian Audi Club excluded from results
- ProSpeed Competition takes on the 2010 Le Mans Series with Richard Westbrook and Marco Holzer
