[Raceboy]

Kumpen dreams of Sebring podium.(10/03/02)

Belgian GT and Sportscar driver Anthony Kumpen will be aiming for a podium finish at the 50th running of the famous Sebring 12 hours in Florida, but he doesn't underestimate the tough competition in the GTS class in which he competes.

The 23 year old starts his third full season behind the wheel of a Chrysler Viper GTS-R, but believes this year will offer his best chance of success, taking into account his previous Zolder 24hours and Belcar Championship titles.

He commented "For Sebring I think it will be a good test for us to see where we are at the moment. It will also be a good comparison where the Pirelli's are against the Michelins from the Larbre Viper. But the pre season testing has given me a lot of confidence in Pirelli.

"And I'm confident the team will be very good, they are very professional and ambitious. Besides I have two very strong team mates and Mike [Hezemans] has some experience on Sebring which will help us to find a good setup."

Commenting on the GTS class he added: "We are in a very strong class with the Daytona and Le Mans winning Corvettes and the fast Saleens, besides the FIA GT champion car of Larbre. But I think we can create a surprise and I hope we finish on the podium".

Kumpen's last appearance in the American Le Mans Series netted a fine third place in class, sharing a heavily reworked American Viper Racing (AVR) Viper for the first time with Mike Hezemans.

He noted: "If we can do that again it would be something, but there is a higher level of opposition here. Okay we have an even more developed car than we had a few months ago so that will certainly help, but I'm looking forward to my first Sebring 12 Hours nonetheless".

Anthony Kumpen is backed by Ridley Bikes, Focusing Sport, Cranfield University and Logica Computers.


bron: crash.net