Belgium Racing's Jan Lauryssen and Dylan Derdaele secure 2024 Porsche Endurance Trophy Benelux title
Tip Top by NGT clinches national title in GTB
L’Anneau du Rhin, September 25, 2024 – The sixth round of the Porsche Endurance Trophy Benelux delivered yet another thrilling race, producing a fifth different winner in just six events. On the challenging 'old-school' circuit of l’Anneau du Rhin in the French Alsace region, YDM Racing secured its first-ever victory, with young talents Evren Yondem and Jarne Geussens taking the top spot in their Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 992). Meanwhile, a fourth-place finish for Jan Lauryssen and Dylan Derdaele of Belgium Racing confirmed their 2024 title, with one race still remaining. This triumph extends Belgium Racing’s dominance, following their 2023 success, and marks the first title for Lauryssen and Derdaele, taking over from the Wauters brothers as the new champions.
The L’Anneau du Rhin circuit was well-received by drivers, offering a mix of fast straights, technical sections, and daring corners that tested skill and courage alike. Dirk Schouten, the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux leader, underlined his credentials by securing pole position for Q1 Trackracing after an intense battle with Belgium Racing on Saturday. Schouten would also clock the fastest lap during the race.
Sunday's action unfolded over a three-hour endurance race, divided into three 60-minute heats, with the final classification decided after the third heat. Throughout the race, Q1 Trackracing and Belgium Racing traded the lead, with Lauryssen and Derdaele initially looking poised to take the win. "Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on our side in the end,” Lauryssen reflected. “But that’s racing.”
Nevertheless, their fourth-place finish was enough to crown Lauryssen and Derdaele as the new champions of the Porsche Endurance Trophy Benelux, their first title in the series. The pair, racing under Belgium Racing’s banner, will also contend for the national endurance title during the season finale on October 13 at Circuit Zolder.
YDM Racing's Breakthrough Victory
At the front, YDM Racing emerged victorious, with Yondem and Geussens benefitting from pit stop strategy. "We didn’t expect this win, especially after we fell a lap behind in the first heat," said a delighted Jarne Geussens. “This is a fantastic achievement for our young team.” They edged out Nicolas Vandierendonck and Dirk Schouten, who were unlucky with a late Full Course Yellow, derailing their early pit stop strategy.
In the GTB class, Arthur Peters and Kenny Herremans (Tip Top by NGT Porsche Cayman GT4 RS) secured third place overall and confirmed their GTB national endurance title.
Next Stop: Circuit Zolder
Mark your calendars for the season’s final endurance race on October 12-13, at Circuit Zolder!
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