Anthony Kumpen reveals to Autosport.be that PK Carsport has signed Vittorio Ghirelli to replace him, who will go part-time to focus on team management and coaching his son Henri-Constant.
A recent interview with Autosport.be has revealed Anthony Kumpen’s plans for the 2024 racing season, with many changes that will come for both himself and his team PK Carsport across all championships – including the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series.
Kumpen will not only move away from full-time driving duties to focus on team management and coaching his son Henri-Constant, he also announced the signing of Vittorio Ghirelli as his replacement at PK for the 2024 EuroNASCAR season.
Kumpen admits that the changes were done because he was getting overwhelmed by the amount of work that he has to do. The 45-year old had to juggle duties between driving in EuroNASCAR, managing PK and mentoring Henri-Constant in 2023.
“Last year I noticed that combining the tasks of driver, team manager and coach was not always easy,” admits Kumpen to Autosport.be. “During the 24 Hours of Zolder weekend, for example, I was racing at Most but I was also WhatsApping with the team engineers in Zolder in the middle of the night.”
“Or after my race in Oschersleben, I immediately had to know how Henri was doing in his season finale. Not ideal for concentration, I can tell you that.”
Coaching Henri-Constant will be Kumpen’s main goal for 2024 as his son was signed to a top karting team – Tony Kart Racing Team – thanks to the successes that he achieved last year.
Kumpen also had to attend more events as a team manager this year as Bert Longin, a long-time PK driver, requested his former EuroNASCAR teammate to accompany him in all rounds that he competed as 2024 is set to be Bert’s final season in motorsport.
“Henri has a busy schedule, with more than 20 race meetings, and you have to put in some time,” adds the former two-time EuroNASCAR champion. “Tony Kart is the biggest kart brand in the world, with a direct link to the Ferrari Drivers Academy, so this is a unique opportunity for him.”
“Although I have a smaller input at a factory team like Tony Kart than at the private team where we were working last year, Henri still likes me to be there every time. It’s also because there is still a bit of a language barrier from Henri.”
“Bert is also starting his last motorsport season as a driver this year and he would have liked me to be there as team manager at every Belcar race.”
“All of this means that it is not appropriate for me to drive a full season myself this year,” concludes Kumpen, confirming his plan to step back from full-time EuroNASCAR driving duties in 2024.
Despite this, he confirms that PK Carsport will be staying in EuroNASCAR for the 2024 season with Ghirelli, who has been signed to replace him in the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro.
“That does not mean that PK Carsport will drop out from the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series,” reveals Kumpen. “On the contrary, in fact. I continue to find it one of the most beautiful championships in Europe.”
“That’s why we are signing Vittorio Ghirelli to drive for us this year. Third in the championship last year, he is going full steam ahead for the title.”
Ghirelli’s 2024 campaign is set to be the Italian’s return to the Belgian team after five years. The former AutoGP champion had previously experienced PK Carsport’s machinery in the second half of the 2019 season – his debut year in EuroNASCAR.
Ghirelli stepped up to EuroNASCAR PRO in 2021 after winning the 2020 EN2 title and quickly established himself as one of ENPRO’s top drivers, having consistently fought for podiums and victories in the past three seasons.
The 2023 season is not only Ghirelli’s best season in the top class so far, it was also the first season where Ghirelli and Kumpen shared a race track together – something that Kumpen wants to do again with a part-time campaign that will help him prepare for a full-time return in 2025.
“I also want to drive two of the last three meetings,” confirms Kumpen. “It will depend on the various calendars exactly which ones.”
“Since we have two NASCAR cars in the workshop anyway, I’m also going to continue working with Vittorio on some important tests. That should allow me to maintain my speed.”
“Racing will be on the back burner for me in 2024 with only a few races at the end of the season. but in 2025 I should be able to free up more time again and I want to race a full season again.”
“I put it this way: If I was able to fight for the championship in 2023 until the end, during which I was really only 80 percent focused on racing during race weekends, then in 2025 I should definitely be able to compete for the title if I can focus 100 percent on racing again.”
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