Spa Rally Mikkelsen and Bux already out, ten Brinke fastest in the Qualifying Stage!
The weather affecting the Spa region did not help the cause of the 2025 Belgian Rally Championship final on Friday. There were some setbacks right from the Shakedown, as Andreas Mikkelsen and Pieter Tsjoen crashed in spectacular fashion, severely damaging the PTR Toyota GR Yaris Rally2! Although the crew is okay, withdrawing is unfortunately unavoidable…
There was little more luck for Gino Bux, whose return to competition had been eagerly anticipated, especially at the wheel of a Porsche 992 Rally GT. Mechanical issues decided otherwise, and the German machine will not leave the service zone on Saturday morning. A real pity.
After a Shakedown held on muddy roads near Winamplanche, the Qualifying Stage allowed drivers in the RC2, RC3 and RGT classes to battle it out and establish the starting order for Saturday's leg. At the end of the first run, Dutchman Bernhard ten Brinke (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) set the pace with a 2'06”43, a performance he managed to improve on in his second attempt, stopping the clock at 2'06”04!
Hot on the heels of the Skoda was the Citroën C3 Rally2 driven by young Tom Heindrichs, who was already impressing by edging out Cédric De Cecco (Hyundai i20 N Rally2), the equally young Thomas Martens (Citroën C3 Rally2), Tom Rensonnet (Hyundai i20 N Rally2) and Cédric Cherain (Porsche 992 Rally GT). The first top 10 of the weekend was completed by Thibaud Mazuin (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2), Emile Breittmayer (Citroën C3 Rally2), German driver Björn Satorius (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) and John Wartique (Porsche 992 Rally GT).
The top 10 therefore had the opportunity to choose its starting position. On Saturday morning, ten Brinke will be the first to set off, followed by Heindrichs, De Cecco, Martens and Rensonnet. A fine mix of youth and experience.
At 9.30 a.m., the first competitor will appear on the podium at the Place Royale to tackle the first loop, featuring the Fays-Show, Chevron, Trois-Ponts Show and Wanne special stages. A total of nine stages make up the first leg of the 2025 Spa Rally.
