• Season opener this weekend at Spa-Francorchamps
• Dylan Derdaele wins both races to become the leader in the championship
• Intense combat in all categories
A European premiere for the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Type 992, close battle in all categories and part of the prestigious FIA WEC weekend in Spa… All the ingredients in place to make the opening round of the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux a success! The successful meeting allowed about twenty riders to get the taste of adrenaline and excitement of the fastest single-make cup of the Benelux.
On his return to the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux, Dylan Derdaele (# 99 Belgium Racing) managed to shine in both the qualifications and both 30-minute races. Pole for the first race, in both races the fastest race lap and two victories: the Belgian left the competition only crumbs. With such a dominant performance, Derdaele confirmed his status as title favorite.
The battle for the places of honor remained very open for a long time. By seizing third and second place, Huub van Eijndhoven (# 10 #TeamPGZ by JW Raceservice) proved to be the most regular of the pursuers. However, the Dutchman realizes that a repeat of his performance will not be easy, given the level that Steven van Rhee (# 72) and Thierry Vermeulen (# 69) were able to show. The two young representatives of Team GP Elite finished in second and fourth place respectively on Friday, and could also have finished in the front on Saturday. Unfortunately, they came into contact with each other when exciting Combes.
Because he has quite a bit of experience in the single-seater, a good performance was expected from Sebastian Freymuth (# 31 PG Motorsport). The young guy got better with every session, finishing eighth in the first race and even claiming the third podium place in the second. He preceded Glenn Van Parijs (# 15 NGT Racing), the driver who finished sixth in the first race. Teammate Felix Neuhofer (# 33 PG Motorsport) had a slightly more difficult weekend. On Friday he finished fifth despite a five-second time penalty (for exceeding the track limits), but the next day he ended in tenth place.
In the Pro-Am category, Nicolas Saelens (# 97 Belgium Racing) and John De Wilde (# 21 Speedlover) made quite an impression in their home race. The two Belgians not only managed to get a victory and a second place each, by crossing the line fifth and sixth in the second race, they also held up their own in the ranking of the overall championship. Behind the Belgian duo, Dutchman Floris Dullaart (# 4 Team GP Elite) finished third twice.
Finally, the performance of Jan Lauryssen (# 54 Q1 Trackracing by EMG Motorsport): this newcomer in the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux managed to win the Am category twice, and with eighth and seventh place overall he impressed. It is clear that Lauryssen immediately mastered the 510 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
After these races as support act for the FIA World Endurance Championship, the drivers are already preparing for the second meeting of the season, in two weeks at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. A big premiere for the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux, which comes into action as part of the European Le Mans Series weekend.
