[Werner333]

Anthony Kumpen today announced that he will contest no further rounds of the FIA GT Championship this season.

Speaking at Spa the morning after an horrific shunt which destroyed his race leading Carsport Holland Viper after contact with a slower moving Porsche. Kumpen told dailysportscar:

“The car is a total write-off, the impact damage has smashed everything. I looked over the car with Mike (Hezemans) this morning and was amazed how the car was smashed around me.”

Kumpen said that he realised how lucky he had been to escape with just a couple of very minor burns.

“It happened very fast but I knew exactly what had happened.”

“In a way the decision to withdraw from the FIA championship was made for us, the car is finished and the only option would be to buy a new car and upgrade it to the same standard as the old #3. That doesn’t make sense and would take too much time.”

“There is the other factor too. We’ve had unbelievably bad luck all year, with the car running strongly everywhere but suffering with all sorts of problems. Of course that sort of luck, and the three major accidents I’ve suffered this season, are part of the decision not to continue, but most of all the main aim of the year, to win the FIA GT Championship is now totally beyond us.”

Kumpen said that he was still planning to compete in the Zolder 24 hours later this year, but said that his efforts now would be on putting together a package, possibly for either ALMS or ETCC, for 2003.

And for the rest of the time in 2002 Anthony?

“I’ll probably do some fishing.”
Bron: http://www.dailysportscar.com/