Spa-Francorchamps – Preview - Out of the rain, into Spa!
In the wet, Jonathan Hirschi (TDS Racing) was the very first to taste glory in the New Megane Trophy at Barcelona. Mike Verschuur (McGregor by Equipe Verschuur) hit back straight away to take the second race. The result? The two drivers arrive in Belgium separated by a single point. The action now moves to the magnificent Spa-Francorchamps circuit, with one ambition shared by all twenty-three drivers: to race in dry conditions at long last!
It was a particularly wet start for New Mégane Trophy in Spain, but it did nothing to dampen the spirits of the crowd, which was once again captivated by the on-track action. Jonathan Hirschi and Mike Verschuur were the stars at Barcelona, claiming one race apiece. Their goal now is a repeat performance at Spa-Francorchamps, a circuit where New Mégane Trophy, which is very much at home on fast corners, can really be put through its paces.
Now that he has tasted victory, Hirschi has just one thing in mind: to go out and do it again. Leader of the Eurocup Mégane Trophy after two races, the Swiss driver knows, however, that there is a long way to go before he can start dreaming of the title. He will have to contend with the ambitions of Mike Verschuur, who has returned to Eurocup Mégane Trophy with a vengeance after a year away from WSR. The two drivers must take advantage of the absence of Dimitri Enjalbert (Boutsen Energy Racing), who is tied-up with other commitments, to make the break. Boutsen Energy Racing's colours will however be proudly defended by local driver, David Dermont.
The Tech 1 Racing drivers appear to be the most likely to overthrow the current order which is still only provisional. Matthieu Cheruy came close to winning at Spa-Francorchamps in 2008. After a disappointing weekend at Barcelona, he will have to pull out all the stops in Belgium, especially with his team-mates putting on the pressure. Newcomers to the discipline, Anthony Tardieu and Nick Catsburg are still learning the finer points of saloon-car racing. However, Catsburg came close to a place on the podium at Barcelona. The two young drivers, who have come across from Formula Renault 2.0, are counting on the tricky Belgian circuit to burst onto the scene.
They are nevertheless faced with a heavyweight adversary. On the podium for the second race in Barcelona, Bernhard Ten Brinke (Equipe Verschuur) looked very comfortable behind the wheel of New Mégane Trophy. The experienced New Zealander isn't the least bit worried by the young pretenders and clearly intends to let nothing stand in his way this season. Fabrice Walfisch (Team Lompech Sport) is also courting his first Eurocup Mégane Trophy victory. On the pace in Barcelona, the Frenchman just needs a little bit of luck to achieve his aims.
With experience of action in GT, Lorenzo Bontempelli (Oregon Team) joins the ranks of the Eurocup Mégane Trophy, where he already made a strong impression at last season's Le Mans meeting. The Italian will be trying to make his presence felt in the pack from the word go.
In the Gentlemen Drivers category, Jean-Philippe Madonia (TDS Racing) appears determined to defend his title with pride. With two wins already under his belt, his season started perfectly, with the added bonus of second place in the general standings in the opening round. His pursuers, Pierre Hirschi (Oregon Team), Hoevert Vos (Verschuur Autorsport) and Bernard Delhez (Team Lompech Sport) cannot afford to let him get away.
