Intense races of the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux during the Festival of Dreams in Hockenheim
Hockenheim, 11 June 2023. The second meeting of the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux could not take place in a more beautiful setting than the Festival of Dreams in Hockenheim. In addition to the two exciting competitions of the fastest one-make cup in the Benelux, the fans of the birthday Porsche brand were offered a lot of other motorsport, heritage and experience. From a sporting point of view, it was the two winners of the races in Spa who once again took the top podium: Robert De Haan (Richardson Racing) in the first race and Glenn Van Parijs (August by NGT) in the second. De Haan is now just the leader in the championship, ahead of Van Parijs. The Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux will head to Zandvoort on 24 and 25 June for the third meeting of the season, before a summer break follows.
The Festival of Dreams at the Hockenheimring was an important part of Porsche's 75th anniversary celebrations. Thousands of Porsche drivers were present with their beautiful cars and tens of thousands of enthusiasts of the brand enjoyed a full program that focused on the rich history and fascination of Porsche. Of course the races were an essential part of the weekend, because motorsport is an important factor in the brand experience.
During qualifying we saw Flynt Schuring (Huber Racing) take his first pole position in the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux. De Haan followed at 0.222 seconds, Ariel Levi (Huber racing) was third fastest, followed by Rik Koen (Revs Motorsport), Dirk Schouten (Q1 Trackracing) and Glenn Van Parijs. Cédric Chassang (GP Elite) qualified as best AM rider in twelfth place, Sacha Norden (GP Elite) was fastest PRO-AM rider in sixteenth.
In the ranking based on the second-fastest lap times, which determines the grid for the second race, De Haan finished at the top with a time of 1:40.924 minutes, followed by Schuring just 0.014 seconds. Behind them, Schouten, Van Parijs, Koen and Sam Dejonghe (RedAnt Racing) occupy places three to six. Chassang and Norden, in twelfth and thirteenth positions respectively, were again the top AM and PRO-AM riders.
Intense competitions and already fighting for the title
On Saturday, the participants in the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux were clearly looking forward to a very animated competition. After half an hour of tension, the victory went to the barely 16-year-old talent from the Netherlands, Robert De Haan, ahead of Ariel Levi and Glenn Van Parijs. After a good start, Robert De Haan took the lead, partly after pole man Flynt Schuring retired with a puncture. At the front, De Haan then drove a clear race, with Glenn van Parijs and Ariel Levi just behind him who swapped places in the end. Behind the top 3, Paul Meijer finished fourth in the Hans Weijs Motorsport Porsche, ahead of Dirk Schouten and newcomer Bertrand Baguette (August by NGT). The victory in PRO-AM was for Aaron Mason (Revs Motorsport) and in AM Cedric Chassang (GP Elite) won.
The second race of the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux meeting in Hockenheim went to Glenn Van Parijs, following five-second penalties for Robert De Haan and Flynt Schuring, respectively, for track limits and an incorrect grid position. As a result, the third man on the line, Glenn Van Parijs, could sign for his second victory of the season. Behind the podium, Flynt Schuring was fourth ahead of Bertrand Baguette. The victory in PRO-AM was this time for Sacha Norden and in Am again Cedric Chassang won.
“I am very pleased after this incredibly beautiful weekend, both sporty and extra sporty,” said Olivier Aerts, the Series Manager of the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux. “I think it is an honor to be part of the wonderful celebration of Porsche here at the Festival of Dreams in Hockenheim. It is a token of appreciation for our organisation, but also for our drivers, teams and partners. Together we will continue on the chosen path, with Zandvoort (24-25 June) as the next stop, during the Dutch round of the renowned DTM, so another top weekend!”