• Championship leader captures two more wins
• Victory and bad luck Lucas van Eijndhoven
• Gilles Smits twice on the podium
The Porsche Sprint Trophy Benelux pitched its tents this weekend in Spa-Francorchamps, three races as support series for the 25 Hours VW Fun Cup. At the start of the first race pole sitter Lucas van Eijndhoven (JW Raceservice) came into contact with Jos Janssen (JJ Racing) and Gilles Smits (Speedlover) in La Source. For the young Dutchman, the race was over immediately and John de Wilde took advantage of the situation to create a gap in the front. The competition would only see him at the finish… Gilles Smits, who had been in second place for a long time, ran out of fuel in the final lap. Wim Meulders (Speedlover) moved on to the first place of honour. Jos Jansen (JJ Racing) completed the podium, ahead of newcomer Marcel Van Berlo (Bas Koeten Racing) and Benjamin Paque (Speedlover).
On Saturday morning, pole sitter Lucas Van Eijndhoven was looking for revenge. Although John de Wilde got off to a better start, Van Eijndhoven was able to regain first place after four laps, only to not relinquish it afterwards. John de Wilde had to be content with second place. Behind the two ruffs, Gilles Smits, Wim Meulders, Jos Jansen, Marcel Van Berlo and Benjamin Paque crossed the line in that order.
However, Lucas Van Eijndhoven's starting problems were not over yet. At the start of the Long Race the pole sitter in La Source immediately went backwards. Gilles Smits shot up the Raidillon as leader, but first team mate John de Wilde and then Jos Janssen and Lucas Van Eijndhoven managed to pass him. After his mistake in the opening lap, the Dutchman provided the spectacle, eventually crossing the finish line in second place. In the official result, however, Lucas is included in third, after a time penalty for not respecting the track limits. And because Jos Janssen had a puncture a few laps from the end, it was ultimately Gilles Smits who received the silver medal.
John de Wilde scored his second victory out of three after this eventful race and now has a large lead in the standings. The top 5 is completed by Gilles Smits, Lucas Van Eijndhoven, Marcel Van Berlo and Wim Meulders. At the wheel of his Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, 16-year-old Benjamin Paque continued his apprenticeship in the Clubsport Division.
After the summer break, the Porsche Sprint Trophy Benelux will make its appearance again in Spa-Francorchamps, on September 25 and 26.
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