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