Kurt Mollekens
Encyclopedia
Kurt Mollekens is a Belgian
race car driver
and team owner.
Mollekens debuted as a driver in top-level karting during 1990, staying there until 1992 when he moved up to Formula Ford
. His debut Formula Ford year was successful, Mollekens winning all three titles he challenged for - Benelux
Formula Ford, Dutch Formula Ford and Belgian Formula Ford.
Mollekens also achieved success in the 1993 British Formula Ford season, which helped him in to Formula Opel Euroseries (1994) and the British Formula Three Championship
(1995). He stayed in the latter during 1996, at which time he won the international Formula Three
race]] at Zandvoort
, his biggest win. Mollekens joined Formula 3000 in 1997 and spent two years there with his self-owned KTR team. In 1999 he continued to run the team without driving, instead opting to drive for Peugeot
in the Belgian Pro Car Series.
He continued as an F3000 team owner until 2001, and after a hiatus as a driver in 2000 returned as a competitor in some races of the FIA GT Championship
of '01 and 2002. In 2002 his team left Formula 3000, moving to the lesser-known World Series by Nissan, and latterly, World Series by Renault
, in which the team competed until 2008. After a hiatus KTR plan to return to racing in 2009 in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0
. In 2004 Mollekens continued as a driver in part of the European Touring Car Championship
.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
race car driver
Driving
Driving is the controlled operation and movement of a land vehicle, such as a car, truck or bus.Although direct operation of a bicycle and a mounted animal are commonly referred to as riding, such operators are legally considered drivers and are required to obey the rules of the road...
and team owner.
Mollekens debuted as a driver in top-level karting during 1990, staying there until 1992 when he moved up to Formula Ford
Formula Ford
Formula Ford is a single seater, open wheel class in motorsport which exists in some form in many countries around the world. It is an entry-level series to motor racing....
. His debut Formula Ford year was successful, Mollekens winning all three titles he challenged for - Benelux
Benelux
The Benelux is an economic union in Western Europe comprising three neighbouring countries, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. These countries are located in northwestern Europe between France and Germany...
Formula Ford, Dutch Formula Ford and Belgian Formula Ford.
Mollekens also achieved success in the 1993 British Formula Ford season, which helped him in to Formula Opel Euroseries (1994) and the British Formula Three Championship
British Formula Three Championship
The British Formula Three Championship is an international motor racing series that takes place primarily in the United Kingdom with a small number of events in mainland Europe. It is a junior-level feeder formula that uses small single seater Formula Three chassis. Its current official title is...
(1995). He stayed in the latter during 1996, at which time he won the international Formula Three
1996 Masters of Formula 3
The 1996 Marlboro Masters of Formula 3 was the sixth Masters of Formula 3 race held at Circuit Park Zandvoort on August 4, 1996. It was won by Kurt Mollekens, for Alan Docking Racing.-Drivers and teams:-Qualifying:-Race:...
race]] at Zandvoort
Circuit Park Zandvoort
Circuit Park Zandvoort is a motorsport race track located in Burgemeester van Alphenstraat 108, 2041 KP in the dunes north of the town of Zandvoort, in the Netherlands, near the North Sea coast line.- History :...
, his biggest win. Mollekens joined Formula 3000 in 1997 and spent two years there with his self-owned KTR team. In 1999 he continued to run the team without driving, instead opting to drive for Peugeot
Peugeot
Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion...
in the Belgian Pro Car Series.
He continued as an F3000 team owner until 2001, and after a hiatus as a driver in 2000 returned as a competitor in some races of the FIA GT Championship
FIA GT Championship
The FIA GT Championship was a sports car racing series organized by the Stéphane Ratel Organisation at the behest of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The championship was mostly concentrated in Europe, but throughout the years has visited other continents including Asia and South...
of '01 and 2002. In 2002 his team left Formula 3000, moving to the lesser-known World Series by Nissan, and latterly, World Series by Renault
World Series by Renault
The World Series by Renault, formerly the World Series by Nissan from 1998 to 2004, is a motor racing series. The series consists of the flagship Formula Renault 3.5 Series , the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 and the Eurocup Mégane Trophy...
, in which the team competed until 2008. After a hiatus KTR plan to return to racing in 2009 in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 is a Formula Renault 2.0 championship with a presence of many Formula Renault championships drivers. It serves as a support series to the Formula Renault 3.5 Series as part of the World Series by Renault....
. In 2004 Mollekens continued as a driver in part of the European Touring Car Championship
European Touring Car Championship
The European Touring Car Championship was an international touring car racing series organised by the FIA. It had two incarnations, the first one between 1963 and 1988, and the second between 2000 and 2004...
.