STUTTGART — The third round of Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland at the Circuit Zandvoort will be a home race for the four Dutch drivers in the series.
“I live less than 20 kilometres from Zandvoort and I’m at the race track almost every week,” Loek Hartog said.
The 20-year-old has won two races so far this season in the 375 kW (510 PS) Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by the GP Elite team and is currently leading the driver’s standings.
“I head to Zandvoort at the top of the leaderboard, so everyone is chasing me. The team also expects over 100 guests but I won’t let that affect me — my nerves are pretty strong,” the lanky racer said with a grin.
One of Hartog’s arch-rivals is his teammate Larry ten Voorde, who trails Hartog by just five points.
“Zandvoort is about a two-hour drive away from where I live,” explained the two-time Carrera Cup champion from Enschede. “Still, the Zandvoort rounds are a home race for me, too. I’ve won several races on this circuit. One or two more wins wouldn’t be bad.”
Last season, ten Voorde won one of the two Zandvoort races of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland. The second victory went to Laurin Heinrich. The German, who came up through the ranks from the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland Talent Pool, also competes at Zandvoort this coming weekend — but this time at the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 R in the DTM.
For many drivers, the Dutch Formula 1 circuit with its unique banked turns is a favorite.
Uncharacteristically, the 4.259-kilometre course offers many chances to overtake.
“We tested in Zandvoort before the race. I think I’m ideally prepared,” Harry King said. Driving for the German team Allied-Racing, the Englishman travels to the holiday resort near Amsterdam ranking third in the points.
“There’s always a very special atmosphere in Zandvoort. With the crowds in a holiday mood and the location of the race track in the middle of the dunes — it’ll definitely be a great weekend. I’m curious to see whether Loek Hartog and GP Elite will be able to use their home advantage,” said Hurui Issak, Project Manager Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland.
Classes for Rookies and ProAm Support Upcoming Talent Pool
In addition to the driver and team rankings, points are also awarded in the Rookies and ProAm categories of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland. Among the newcomers, 10 talented youngsters from six countries pit themselves against each other.
Theo Oeverhaus from CarTech Bonk Motorsport currently leads the Rookies classification. Ranking fourth overall in the driver’s standings, the German is also the best-placed driver from the Talent Pool. Competing for the ProfilDoors by Huber Racing squad, Georgi Donchev from Bulgaria is currently first in the ProAm classification.
Broadcast Details
The weekend races can be livestreamed on SPEEDSPORT1.com.