The Grid.co.uk    the national & club motor racing website - est1998          

  ^News

GT4 European Cup 2008 

Eric De Doncker Geared up to Defend His European Title

with the Ford Mustang FR500GT4 Insulco Motorsport 98! 

On Thursday 26th March Erik De Donker has kicked off his 2008 season at Zolder and just as in 2007, the Insulco Motorsport driver opted for his Ford Mustang FR500 GT4 with which he will defend his European Cup title, an International competition, organised and promoted by the SRO group, which is without  doubt flourishing.  

Eric Explains “After my accomplishments of last year, I do indeed want to defend my title. The car is brand new though, that’s why we consciously opted for a shakedown in Zolder. Obviously it is the same kind of Mustang as in 2007, a car inspired by the American Grand-am Mustang. Seen the success of last year, we did not have much other alternatives than to battle with a similar weapon .The aim of our Motorsport 98 team is clear, namely to attain a second European title, with which I could thank my loyal sponsor Thermolit by Insulco.”

Eric Doncker will; again call upon his own structure, namely the Insulco Motorsport Team. As they say : “Never change something if it isn't broke”

“The team around Robert Davier knows the car, so why change the gun from shoulder, especially as the competition has not exactly been sleeping this winter. The participants list is building up and in this GT4 European Cup I mainly fear the Aston Martin Vantage N24 and Guino Kenis’s BMW Z4 Coupé.  As nobody has been sitting still, it is clear that you will need a sturdy combination of speed and reliability to survive the season’s opening in Silverstone.”

As the weather in Zolder  wasn’t great, Eric chose not to go full 'chat', he did however do enough to shakedown and check his Mustang FR500 GT4 ‘s condition.   This year, much to his liking, the American GT. Insulco Motorsport 98 team now moves on to Nogaro in France where the FIA GT3 en SRO GT4 ‘Balance of Power’-tests will take place.

Next to his participation in the GT4, Eric De Doncker will also be involved in the FIA GT3 Championship where he will be partnered with the Canadian Scott Maxwell,at the wheel of a Mustang FR500 GT3. 

Eric De Doncker: “Indeed I will be driving with Scott among the Swiss formation Matech Racing, who represents Ford officially in all European competitions. Tests performed earlier this month in Monza, stated that our car improved strongly since 2007. We improved our time with 2,5 sec. I would say that reaching a top 10 at season’s start is not too ambitious.”  

2008 will be a very busy  year for Eric De Doncker, his drive to race the  Ford Mustang is intact and is still a pleasure for the fans.

See you in Silverstone !!!

pic : Jacques Letihon

mail your news to editorthegrid@yahoo.co.uk