Personal information

Name: Anthony Kumpen Age: 31 (03/11/1978) Nationality: Belgian Languages: Dutch, English, French, German Education: Superior Marketing School Contacts:      Runkstersteenweg 370      B-3500 Hasselt

History

Like most drivers, Anthony began his career in karting. It soon appeared that he has the necessary talent, which was proved by good results.

After some seasons in karting, awarded with 2 Belgian titles, he moved to formula racing. At that time, he was only 16 years old and left for Germany, where it was possible to race without having a driver’s licence. The Formula Renault was the ideal school to acquire the necessary technical knowledge. During the 2 seasons he spends there, he appeared 5 times on the podium. The nicest memory of those 2 years, however, was in France with Winfield (a racing school also attended by Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna). Together with some young German drivers, Anthony was invited by Renault Germany. At the end of the training, a race was organised which he won.

At the age of 19 (1998), Anthony decided to attend a superior school of marketing and therefore moved to the Belgian GT racing. In his first year of the Belcar Championship, he was able to obtain 5 category victories and became Belgian Champion in the GT2 category.

In 1999, he participated in the Belcar Championship with a Porsche 993 Turbo. After 4 overall victories and 2 podium finishes, he finished the season with the Belgian title in the GT1 category (the top category).

Season 2000

In 2000, Anthony participated in the Belcar Championship with a Chrysler Viper GTS-R. With this car, he won 6 times out of 8.

The most remarkable victory was without doubt the one of the 24 hours of Zolder. In this race, he established no less than 4 Belgian records with the Viper: the fastest qualification time, the fastest contest lap, the highest number of laps ever, the biggest difference of laps in comparison with the second best.

Due to an incident in the last race, during which the Viper broke down, he lost the title and became vice-champion.

The performance over the years, but mostly during the last season, did not pass without being noticed. Anthony had the opportunity to participate in the last race of the FIA GT Championship (the world championship for GT cars) with Paul Belmondo Racing. He hoped to finish among the top 10, but to everybody’s surprise, he finished in 4th position.

As an award for this successful season, Anthony received in 2000 the Nomination of Promising Sportsman of the Year, conferred by the NSC (National Sport Commission) and the RACB (Royal Automobile Club of Belgium).

Season 2001

After the good performance in the last race of the 2000 FIA GT Championship, he was in touch with several top teams in Europe. After some negotiations, Anthony decided to participate that season in the full FIA GT Championship with a car of Paul Belmondo Racing.

In addition to that program, Anthony also participated in the legendary Le Mans 24 hours, Daytona 24 hours and Petit Le Mans in Road Atlanta, where he made it to the podium.

Season 2002

The 2002 season is reviewed by Anthony with mixed feelings. The GLPK Racing Team won the Belcar Championship with Anthony Kumpen & Bert Longin. Both GT and GTA titles were for this team and Anthony also added the Belcar Junior title to the list. So far so good… But for Anthony Kumpen, the FIA GT championship was a tricky one with ups and downs. One victory and another 4 finishes within the top 3 could not hide a certain form of deception. Indeed, when during 4 races you have the lead and each time you are stopped by mechanical problems, you are "down". The 3rd place in the classification of the team championship could not offer Anthony enough joy to forget the lost of some extra victories.

Season 2003

A perfect season in Belcar, with 7 victories in 7 races. A win in the Zolder 24 hours. 2 pole positions in the FIA GT championship. Anthony was also awarded with the “Golden Helmet” for best Belgian driver.

Season 2004

Another win of the Belcar championship. Anthony was also able to win Zolder 24 hours for the 4th time, herewith he holds the record in number of victories. He also participated in some FIA GT and LMES races as well as Le Mans and Spa 24 hours.

Season 2005

In 2005 Anthony participated in a full FIA GT campaign with a Corvette C5-R. With two wins and 3 more podium finishes the season was quite good. Due to some misfortune the team was not able to fight for the title. Anthony also participated in a few Belcar races.

Season 2006

In 2006 Anthony participated in the Mediagroep Van Dyck Belcar championship with the Sporza Corvette C5-R. Anthony and his teammates won 5 out of 7 races as well as the championship.

In the international scene Anthony participated in the FIA GT championship with a Corvette C6-R. At the start of the season GLPK Racing had some bad luck, but the second part of the season was very satisfying. A third place during the Spa 24h, followed by a victory at Paul Ricard and three more podium finishes during the last three rounds.

Records