Mettet

Belgian RX Mettet: Closing the Season in Style

The final crosskart race of the season took place last weekend in Mettet, and what a weekend it was! The competition was fierce, and the conditions were challenging, but we gave it everything we had. While the results didn’t entirely go our way, the lessons learned and the experiences gained made it all worthwhile.

Saturday Training

We started the weekend building up speed and getting a feel for the track. While there was still work to do, the initial sessions gave us a solid foundation for the races ahead.

Race Recap

Heat 1:

P17 (Overall)
The weekend began with a tough first heat. A big mistake on track cost me several positions, which was frustrating but a valuable learning moment.

Heat 2:

DNF
The wet conditions made this heat especially tricky. I spun out and got caught in a crash, which caused damage to the car and forced me to retire early.

Heat 3:

P11 (Overall)
Finally, a clean and solid session! It felt great to put together a consistent run and move up in the rankings.

Semi-Final:

P4
A strong drive in the semi-final brought me close to the A-final. Unfortunately, it wasn’t quite enough to make the cut, but the pace and effort were there.

B-Final

The B-final was packed with tough competitors, including the British champion. Early in the race, a small tap from another car bent one of my control arms, making the kart difficult to handle and hard to keep pace with the leaders. Despite the setback, I kept pushing and finished strong.

Final Result:

P12

Reflecting on the Season Finale

While the weekend was far from perfect, it was an excellent way to close out the season. Every race brought new challenges, and every lap offered opportunities to grow.

Key Highlights:

• Adapting to conditions: Wet weather and close competition tested my skills, and while I didn’t always come out on top, I learned a lot.

• Resilience under pressure: Even after setbacks, I stayed focused and delivered solid performances in the later sessions.

Looking Ahead

This was the last race of the season, but I’m already looking forward to what’s next. With the lessons learned this weekend, I’m more motivated than ever to improve and come back stronger next year.

A massive thanks to Allerts Autosport and @lifelive2016 for their support throughout the weekend and the season. This wouldn’t have been possible without you!

On to the next season—bigger goals, tougher challenges, and even more to fight for. Let’s do this!

- Thijmen Houben

Maasmechelen

Belgian Rallycross Duivelsbergcircuit Round 7: Senior Class Debut

Last weekend at Maasmechelen marked a significant milestone for me: my first race in the Senior class! While it didn’t end as I had hoped, the experience gained was invaluable and a great foundation to build on for the future.

Race Recap

Heat 1:

P5 (Overall P17)
Still getting used to the car, I made a few mistakes that cost me valuable time. It was a tough start, but every lap helped me improve.

Heat 2:

P1 (Overall P8)
This was the breakthrough moment! I found my rhythm, got up to pace, and had a fantastic run. (You can check out the onboard video on YouTube now!)

Heat 3:

P4 (Overall P9)
This heat was all about battling with strong competitors. Despite the challenge, I managed to hold my own and finish respectably.

Semifinal:

P5
This was where things took a turn. Midway through, my shifter fell off, completely unexpected and through no fault of anyone. Unfortunately, this mechanical issue ended my chances of making it to the final.

Final Result:

P12

Looking Back

Even with the tough break in the semifinal, this race was a huge learning experience. Competing at this level is a big step up, but I felt I made solid progress throughout the weekend.

Key Takeaways:

• Mistakes are stepping stones: The challenges I faced early in the heats only motivated me to improve as the weekend went on.

• Mechanical issues happen: Sometimes, things are simply out of your control, and it’s all part of the sport.

Thanks to the Team

A huge shoutout to @braynritzen and @marcel.croese.92 for all their incredible support throughout the weekend. Your help made it possible for me to adapt and compete at this level.

This is just the beginning in the Senior class—more speed, more learning, and more racing to come. Stay tuned for what’s next!

- Thijmen Houben