Successful test session for GDM Motors in the 6 Hours of Kortrijk
Marc Duez was one of the stars of the show at the 6 Hours of Kortrijk last weekend. Together with co-driver Hendrik Béatse, he test drove GDM Motors' original Volvo 240 Turbo. Although the car did not make it to the finish line, the team is still satisfied with the test session in Kortrijk.
“The Volvo 240 Turbo in question originally came from the circuit and was converted into a rally car in recent months and weeks. The car performed very well from the outset. Acceleration, braking, road holding... The basics are just very good, so we can be very satisfied in that respect.”
GDM Motors' Volvo 240 Turbo had the honour of opening the field in Kortrijk as a zero car. “That was a conscious choice, because we came here mainly to test the car,” says Hendrik Béatse, CEO of GDM Motors and co-driver on duty. “The Volvo 240 Turbo in question originally came from the circuit and was converted into a rally car in recent months and weeks. The car performed very well from the outset. Acceleration, braking, road holding... The basics are just very good, so we can be very satisfied in that respect.”
Unfortunately, the test ended just before the final loop. "We were driving with a mechanism that already had quite a few kilometres on the clock. When the turbo's wastegate got stuck, we were forced to stop. Nevertheless, we are very satisfied because we learned a lot. Some adjustments still need to be made in terms of wheels and tyres, and we will also change the final ratio. In that regard, we received excellent feedback from Marc Duez, our in-house driver and test driver par excellence."
"Bear in mind that the car develops just over 300 hp, so there is definitely potential.”
It wasn't just the Volvo 240 Turbo that caught the eye of thousands of spectators. Marc Duez also attracted a lot of attention. “Since Patrick Snijers was also at the start, the organisers had the idea of inviting Robert Droogmans as well, reuniting the “Three Musketeers” on Saturday. It was a very successful initiative, as they attracted a lot of fans. It was nice to see them together again.”
GDM Motors will now continue to work on the feedback it has received. “We will do our homework this winter so that we can present the car again next year in its final form. Participation in the Legend Boucles in Bastogne, for example, is on the agenda. We are convinced that this will generate interest among drivers and gentleman drivers who want to drive something special. Bear in mind that the car develops just over 300 hp, so there is definitely potential.”
The team wants to continue in rallying with the same momentum as it currently has on the circuit. "At GDM Motors, our mission is to produce top-quality reproductions of cars from yesteryear. We want to keep them accessible to gentleman drivers who want something special, but also want to drive a reliable car without any worries, all within a small, friendly structure. Get in, drive and have fun!" says Hendrik Béatse.