Anthony Kumpen (born 3 November 1978) is a Belgian professional racing driver and team manager. Kumpen currently works as driver and team manager for PK Carsport in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. He previously competed full-time in the series, winning the championship twice, in 2014 and 2016. He also joint-held the record of the most 24 Hours of Zolder wins with six.[1]
Racing career
Kumpen's car after his win in Elite 1 race two at Raceway Venray 2015.
In 1988, Kumpen started kart racing.[2] He moved on to Belcar, the Belgian Racing Car Championship, in 1998, winning the GT2 championship in his first year, and the GT championship in 1999.[3] He won several more Belgian GT and GTA championships over the next decade. In 2000, he won the overall classification at the 24 Hours of Zolder, a feat he would repeat in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2010 and 2012 for a record total of 6 victories.[4]
In 2000, he started competing in the FIA GT Championship for the Paul Belmondo Racing team. His first victory in a race in this championship followed in 2002. More victories followed in 2005 (2), 2006, 2008 and 2009 (2).[5]
Kumpen was suspended for four years by the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium after he failed a drug test during the 2018 24 Hours of Zolder.[13] During his suspension, he moved to a management role in PK Carsport and is currently working as the team manager for the Euro Series operations of the team.[14]
He returned to racing in late 2022,[15] and embarked on a full-time season in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series for the 2023 season always with their PK Carsport team.[16]
Personal life
Kumpen is the son of Paul Kumpen, a former race pilot, Belgian Rallycross Champion 1987 with Porsche 911 BiTurbo 4x4, director of the building company Kumpen, president of VOKA Limburg, and founder of PK Carsport. Paul Kumpen owned 50% of the shares of Ridley Bikes, and Anthony worked as a commercial director for the company, which became the largest bike manufacturer in Belgium.[17] Anthony stayed on at the company after his father sold his share in 2013.[17]
Kumpen lives in Hasselt and is married to Griet Vanhees. They have a son.[18] Kumpen has a daughter and a stepson, from his and his wife's previous relationships.[19] He is the first cousin of Sophie Kumpen, the mother of three-time F1 World Champion Max Verstappen.[20]
In 2010, Kumpen participated in Sterren op de Dansvloer (the Belgian version of Dancing with the Stars) on vtm.[21] He was voted out of the show in the third episode and finished as 8th out of 10 contestants.[22]
Motorsports career results
NASCAR
(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
