That is not all from Zolder Concours d’Elégance
That is not all from Zolder Concours d’Elégance
That is not all from Zolder Concours d’Elégance
There is more than just the DTM cars at Zolder Concours d’Elégance, this Sunday, 20 July. Expect to see a great selection of F1s, Aston Martins, police cars, and demo-laps by Thierry Boutsen in an Arrows A8.
The German touring car series DTM is just one of the highlights of the Zolder Concours d’Elégance. The other classes look just as interesting.
Formula 1
There is going to be quite a bit of Formula 1, linked to Belgian legends Thierry Boutsen and Eric van de Poele. Boutsen – a three-time Grand Prix winner – finds his name on two cars exhibited. One is the Arrows A8 from the 1985 season, his second season in F1. At the San Marino Grand Prix, the Belgian shot to fame when his Arrows-BMW ran out of fuel with the finish line in sight. Boutsen jumped out and pushed his car across the finish, a feat which landed him on the third spot of the podium.
Later, Boutsen was promoted to second when winner Alain Prost’s McLaren – who, like many, had also run out of fuel just past the finish line – was found to be underweight in post-race scrutineering. Boutsen re-enacted the moment at this year’s San Marino GP, thirty years later.
To Benetton
It was a defining moment for Boutsen, who would be picked up by Benetton for the 1988 season. Benetton – the continuation of the former Toleman team – stood out with a striking colour combination with the B188, a car you can see at the Zolder Concours d’Elégance. With this chassis, Boutsen did the San Marino GP (P4), Monaco (P8) and Mexico (P8). The Benetton B188 is among the most visually pleasing F1s ever conceived. It is on static display in the Concours field. Boutsen will drive his Arrows on Sunday evening.
San Marino 1991
Eric van de Poele’s F1 career is in no way reminiscent of his time in sports cars or touring cars. Due to budget restraints, the Sebring-winner never found himself in a car that would allow to show his ability behind the wheel. He looked set to bring an overweight Scuderia Modena Lamborghini in, in fifth place at the 1991 San Marino GP, only for the fuel pump to fail one lap from the end.
Fondmetal
In 1992, van de Poele steps in to replace Andrea Chiesa in Andrea Rumi’s Fondmetal squad for three European races. The Fondmetal GR02 is designed by Sergio Rinland, and is a decent piece of kit, especially of you take into the consideration the total lack of budget. In 1991, Fondmetal ran just the one entry. Gabriele Tarquini was the team’s No.1 driver, but even he would finish just one race – in 14th – in 1992. Van de Poele did better, finishing 10th at the Belgian GP in Spa. But with retirement in the Italian GP in 1992, the Belgian’s F1 career ended. Fondmetal did not show up for the Portuguese GP in Estoril.
Supercars and police cars
Aston Martin lovers will see a spectacle of Vs in the form of the Aston Martin Victor, Valour, Valiant, and of course, the Valkyrie. Together with the DBR22 Speedster, this is quite the line-up. Furthermore, a group of under-40 car enthusiasts will show their prized possesions. And we’ll have a look at the Belgian police’s fast interceptors, in the form of the Porsche 911, the Volkswagen Golf GTI and the Volvo 240 turbo.
On track, the German Tourenwagen Legenden and Belcar historic series provide much of the noise.
Tickets to Zolder Historic GP and Zolder Concours d’Elégance can be found here.
