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Gamma Racing Day TT Assen 2013, a wordy motorsport event that guarantees action for everyone! Roaring GT’s and Touring Cars, Superbikes, Sidecars, Superkarts,… are all part of the action, so the 80.000 spectators were right to join this event from the first moment on and didn’t regret their presence just once during the entire weekend! The Spork Racing Team, respresented by Seat Supercopa #423 would defend its colors with Jimmy Adriaenssens and Jeroen Dik.

The qualifying was about to be something special. Due to a broken driveshaft in the first free practice, Jimmy needed to qualify without even having done one lap in Assen since 2012. Thanks to the fast and thorough repair by the team, the car was ready to concur the Dutch track again. Because Jimmy’s first laps on the track would immediately be in qualifying, he couldn’t adjust the car to the track and had to copy the exact settings of the last race in Assen 2012. Not ideal, but doable. “From the first moment on, the car felt very oversteered. The slightest movement of the steering wheel loosened the back of the car. I have to say that I love driving an oversteered setup, but after having taken 70% of the Ruskenhoek corner in opposite-lock with one wheel off the track, I knew it would become difficult to clock tight laptimes.” mentioned Adriaenssens who was quite frankly impressed by the aggressive character of the car. After about two laps, Supercopa #423 clocked P2 amongst the Seats for the first race and pole position for the second. After the qualifying session it appeared that all the drivers had to cope with massive oversteer which eventually was caused by the protective white sand on the track. The white sand was in fact a souvenir from the Truck GP several days ago. Then, the sand was spread to protect the tracksurface from being wrecked by the trucks.

 To summarize the first race in one word? ‘Terrifying’! “The race was almost halfway when I spotted a broken driveshaft on the ideal line, about hundred meters before the Ramshoek-corner. In that moment I was being overtaken by a Porsche BiTurbo, who’d clearly didn’t see the shaft and ran right over it. One chance in a hundred that the shaft would be thrown up in my direction but I had it! At 220 kilometers per hour, the shaft launched itself into my headlight, punctured the bottom of my windscreen and my dashboard to finally hit a third time into the top of the windscreen. I was considered very lucky, because if the driveshaft would have been thrown in the air staticly it would have completely penetrated the car with a more tragic end…” told a bewildered Jimmy Adriaenssens. Soon after the incident Jimmy realized there was nothing the team could do to help him, so he closed his visor to protect his eyes from the glass and dust and continued the race. Unfortunately a manufacturing defect caused one of his driveshafts to fail too and kept Adriaenssens from winning.

After the accumulation of emotions and quite special events, the team didn’t lose its faith! Team manager Herman and chief mechanic Ronny returned to Belgium to the Spork Racing workshop Saturday night and collected a new windscreen and driveshaft. Around 5 am in the morning they arrived in Assen again, took some sort of powernap and started working on the car. Sunday late afternoon, the white red Supercopa appeared on the grid, ready for the second race. After an almost incident free race Spork finished second amongst the Supercopas and seventh in Supersport with only two thousands of a second before P8. A so called photo finish, which actually required a photo to determine the positions.

“I’d like to thank the Spork Racing Team for their great efforts this weekend, faith kept me from collecting my hundredth podium twice so this Sunday at Assen will be memorable forever! I’d like to thank the other drivers as well for their compassion after the horrific driveshaft-incident in the first race. The solidarity amongst the Supercar Challenge drivers can be close, so as I’m saying: thanks to everyone!!”

See enclosed PDF-files for the downloadable (Dutch) race reviews.

Persbericht NL – Gamma Racing Day Assen Review (Adriaenssens haalt honderdste podium tijdens spectaculair weekend)

Press release ENG – Gamma Racing Day Assen (Adriaenssens scores hundredth podium during spectacular weekend)

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GPUpdate.net – Coureur krijgt schrik van zijn leven

RaceXpress.nl – Coureur krijgt aandrijfas vol door de voorruit in Assen

SupercarChallenge.nl – Adriaenssens haalt honderdste podium tijdens spectaculair weekend

Superstars @ Zolder, a beautiful race weekend in which even ex Formula 1 drivers signed on. Also the Supercar Challenge was present with its three classes of racing: Super GT, Supersport and Superlight. The Spork Racing Team took part in Supersport with her two Seat Leon Supercopa’s, driven by Jimmy Adriaenssens (#423) and De Kimpe-Van Paemel (#425). After a succesfull weekend in Spa, the Antwerpian team was thoroughly motivated to score good points in Zolder.

The first race on Saturday was run in sunny conditions. Around 1.00 pm, the Sport classes took off for fifty minutes of racing. Starting from P8, Jimmy Adriaenssens could immediately mix into the leading group. “The level of the drivers around me was high, if you only opened one inch, you’d lose a position. Great racing, that’s for sure but I had to be as fast as I could in the first stint, seen that I had ten penalty seconds due to our successes in Spa.” Everyone who ends up on the podium in Supersport will collect fifteen, ten or five extra penalty seconds for the pit window. Seen that Jimmy ended third twice in Spa, he received ten penalty seconds. “It was obvious that I had to attack already very early in the race, to insure that I wouldn’t rejoin the track after the pitstop behind the other Supercopa’s. Overtaking them could cost me seconds and because we also aim high in Supersport, we couldn’t bare losing time.” After a tight and well calculated pitstop Spork released the white and red Supercopa on the exact right moment. Adriaenssens rejoined the track in sixth position overall, second in Supercopa. “During the second stint I received information that the BMW E92 M3 was approaching slowly. If I could keep the same pace, he would finish right behind with a one or two second gap. I immediately had that déjà-vu feeling from Spa, where the race also lasted one lap too long. One or two seconds in a fifty minutes race is nothing so we had to push constantly.” Lap per lap the Antwerpian Super’SPORK’copa used each inch of the track and this time the luck was on Jimmy’s side. Both the fourth as the fifth car had to give in to the young Belgian and he ended fourth in general, second in Supercopa on exactly one minute of the leader. A satisfying position for a track that’s actually made for rear wheel driven cars.

During the Sunday race, neither the weather nor the results were great. Late afternoon, twenty-nine drivers launched their cars into the first corner and where about to fight their fifty minute battle. “I got away quickly in the first few laps and didn’t lose much time to the leaders. While I was putting the Riwal Seat under pressure, I was put under pressure myself by the BMW E92 M3 of the duo Meijers/Meijers. In an attempt to defend my position we lost the connection with the Riwal Seat and my only concern became defending my position. This worked out properly until a dirty spot on the track surprised us and I spun.” Adriaenssens had to sacrifice a few positions but rejoined the pack and went looking for its competitors. In the ninth lap, the unthinkable happened. “We started overtaking the lower class drivers and whilst exiting the Bianchi corner, Kim Troeijen appeared. When Kim entered the chicane, I noticed some instability and left nothing to chance. I chose the right side of the curbstones, in an attempt to avoid hitting Kim if she totally lost control. Unfortunately she did, and the green Focus shot itself into my lane. The speed difference was too big and a collision was unavoidable. On the camera footage you can clearly see that my attempt to dodge her and the actual impact was a matter of milliseconds. Obviously not enough to reduce speed and decrease the impact. The speed difference should have been around 40 kph, quite a hit, I can assure you…” Luckily the Supercopa stopped right in front of the guardrails. The loose sand worked properly and decreased the speed of the car brilliantly. “From 100 kph to 0 in only 15 meters is quite a performance. For sure a word of thanks to Circuit Zolder and the marshalls for their concerns after the crash!! Thanks!!” This incident meant the end of the race for Adriaenssens and leaded to mixed feelings. Anyway, in the meantime the car has been rebuilt and ready to race in Assen (August 2^nd – 4^th, Gamma Racing Day). Soon a short test session will have to guarantee the good condition of the car.

Soon the Supercar Challenge will take part in the Gamma Racing Day at TT Assen. On the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th of August this spectacular championship will be racing in front of 60.000 spectators. An international weekend you shouldn’t miss, be there!!

See enclosed PDF-files for the downloadable (Dutch) race reviews.

Persbericht NL – Superstars @ Zolder Review (Limburgs asfalt biedt Adriaenssens matig succes)

Press release ENG – Superstars @ Zolder Review (Home circuit offers little success to Adriaenssens)

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Turbo Magazine – Van vader op zoon en van VW naar Seat

SupercarChallenge.nl – Limburgs asfalt biedt Adriaenssens matig succes

Het Laatste Nieuws – Jimmy Adriaenssens dit weekend aan de slag op circuit Zolder

The Spa Euro Race, an event to which all the Belgians and especially the Spork Racing Team were looking forward too. A race on the world’s most beautiful racetrack that became one never to forget for the race team of Antwerp. Both the cars of the team were present and would be driven by Jimmy Adriaenssens (#423) on the one hand and Jonas De Kimpe/Vincent Van Paemel (#425) on the other. As well the drivers as their cars were in great shape for the weekend.

“In free practice already I found my Spa-rhythm, I hadn’t been out in Spa since 2012 so we had to adapt again to the higher speeds. When the qualifying started, it was clear that it wouldn’t be easy to find a free lap. With more than fifty cars out on the track there could be a chance that I wouldn’t even find a free lap at all. I increased the pace immediately and overtook a few car. After three laps I seemed to have found a free gap and launched myself. The timer noted 2.36.135, the fastest laptime ever driven within the Spork Racing Team.” explains Jimmy Adriaenssens. After a short pitstop to reset the tire pressure, the white and red Spanish bull rejoined the track for another fast lap and clocked 2.35.951. The magical 2.35 was a fact and that in much less than ideal weather conditions (over 25°C) for the two liter turbo engine. Pole position amongst the Seats for both races were ensured and the team was looking forward to the races. In Supersport, Jimmy could start from P4 and P2, as well Spork’s best results in Supercar Challenge history.

The first race was launched under a perfectly blue sky, it was a well-known fact that the temperatures would reach high values “It was a matter of finding a tight rhythm without burning the tires and to control the engine temperature. During the first laps, I ran within the leading group but I felt that the tires woudn’t last this pace. I decided to lower the pace, save the tires so I had some left for a probable fight in the end of the race. Eventually we made a good choice, because after the pitstop we ran in third place with a twenty second gap on the car in fourth position. As the team informed me that the car was approaching I increased the pace to safen the third position and our earlier decision to save the car in the beginning paid off right away.” After sixty minutes and one lap of racing, the chequered flag was shown and the first Supersport podium for Spork became true. “The first place in Supercopa and third in Supersport were the ultimate reward for the Spork Racing Team’s hard work!” continues Adriaenssens.

Considering the weather conditions, the second race was the exact opposite of the first. While on Saturday everybody carried sunscreen in one hand and a sunglasses in the other, on Sunday they were dressed to bare tons of water. During the beginning of the warm-up lap, a car in the right lane stalled. While the left lane was taking off, the right fell behind. “Initially I thought: No worries, we’ll all retrieve our correct starting position during formation. Unfortunately the track marshals started showing the ‘Safety Car’ sign, knowing a Safety Car procedure does not include a formation anymore, we were forced to start from five to ten positions behind. Quite a pity as I qualified second for this race and now had to start from P10 or worse…” explains Adriaenssens. “Once the Safety Car left the track, we had to overtake lots of slower Supersport and GT cars in zero visibility mode thanks to the spray of at least twenty cars in front of us. Only in the last laps of the first stint I finally saw the leaders in Supersport.” After the mandatory pitstop, the Antwerpian Super’SPORK’copa rejoined the track. With a headstart of only seven seconds on the Riwal-Seat everyone knew that the race was far from decided. “During the second stint I felt that my front axle started losing grip because the rain was stopping. My tire pressure went up, the contact with the surface decreased and smoothly the other Seat came closer.” When both Seats found each other a spectacular fight followed. It was obvious that Jimmy Adriaenssens wasn’t going to give up his first place. He could stop several attacks but after about two laps his competitor found an opening. “I was defending on the inside while the other Seat tried to outbrake me on the outside. He got aside of me and we went through the corner door to door. He carried a bit more speed through the corner and won a nose length which was enough for the following corner. Unfortunately I knew another car was following us, a Lotus 2/11 of a fellow Belgian. Also here I defended hard and at the bus stop chicane it seemed I had won the battle. Hoping for the chequered flag I exited the last corner and… NOTHING! No flag whatsoever while the race was actually over. I tried to maintain second for another lap, but it wasn’t meant to be.” Without the starting grid issues, Jimmy’s result could have been even better. But as racing depends on countless of variables, no one is to blame. Nevertheless Adriaenssens became third in Supersport and second in Seat Supercopa, a result that motivates Spork even more for the Superstars in Zolder soon.

The Spork Racing Team is looking forward to the next challenge, also on Belgian soil within two weeks and has set its mind on the Supersport podium again!

See enclosed PDF-files for the downloadable (Dutch) race reviews.

Persbericht – Spa Euro Race Review NL (Viervoudig podium voor Adriaenssens in Spa)

Press release – Spa Euro Race Review ENG (Four podiums for Adriaenssens in Spa)

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SupercarChallenge.nl – Viervoudig podium voor Adriaenssens in Spa

Slovakiaring, SK! No doubt one of the farrest and yet one of the most memorable events of the Supercar Challenge. The debuting Superlight division, racing under a blue sky with temperatures around 27°C and the young character of the Slovakiaring were the ingredients for a great racing weekend. The Spork Racing Team checked in on Thursday with one of their legendary Seat Supercopas. Car nr. 423 of Jimmy Adriaenssens – David Nye would this time defend the colors of Spork on its own and proved to be a heavy competitor in the qualifying sessions.

“After having fitted new tires and brakes, I launched myself in the third lap of the qualifying session  and clocked pole amongst the Seats and second in Supersport. After a short pitstop to readjust the tire pressure I went out for a second fast lap and secured the same results for the second race. Eventually we would start from P1 in Supercopa and P5 overall.” Shares Jimmy Adriaenssens. After Jimmy’s stint, David went out and tried the car so that Spork could start the first race with a satisfied feeling!

The start of the first race was taken by our young Belgian driver, who would afterwards handed the wheel back to his English co. After a tight first stint David received the Antwerpian Super’SPORK’copa and it seemed there was something wrong with the car. “For an unknown reason the car lost power and we had to cope with a speed difference of 30 kph at the end of the first straight. Anyway, we still succeeded in securing the second place in Supercopa and scored important points.” David Nye.

After the first race, the team started their quest to the power loss and afterwards the car was in great shape for Sunday. David took the start and the issues from Saturday were clearly solved. David clocked the fastest laptime of the Supercopas each lap and started creating a gap between him and the second Seat of the Monster brothers. “After about ten minutes of racing I was in third position overall and first of the Seats. The car feld  great and had clearly evolved since 2012. It was good fun to fight with equal weapons and I enjoyed fighting with Ferry Monster. Unfortunately halfway the race, destiny stroke and a short circuit or another electrical problem in the gearbox ended the fun. The car jumped out of fifth gear and wouldn’t apply sixth gear” mentions David Nye. David returned to the pits in a virtual first position overall and the mechanics examined the gearbox. Meanwhile Jimmy had taken place in the car and rejoined the track. The problem seemed to be solved but after half a lap, it occurred again. “I had to pull over and reset the car. Team chief Herman asked me to try a few things over the intercom, hoping to get around the problem but it wouldn’t help. I was forced to finish the race in fourth gear. About five minutes from the end, a red flag was shown due to an accident in the artificial chicane at the end of sector one and the race was finished. We tried to make the best out of it but unfortunately we had to give up our first place and ended third. Reviewing the weekend, we’re now officially third in the Seat championship.” explains Jimmy Adriaenssens.

With still 12 races on the menu and the proof that an overal win is possible, the Spork Racing Team will not lose its courage! In Spa they’ll return with a new gearbox and more combativeness as ever before.

See enclosed PDF-files for the downloadable (Dutch) race reviews.

Persbericht – Adriaenssens-Nye opnieuw samen op het podium in Slowakije

Press release – Adriaenssens-Nye reunited and on the podium in Slovakia

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SupercarChallenge.nl – Adriaenssens-Nye opnieuw samen op het podium in Slowakije

Het Laatste Nieuws – Adriaenssens en Van Herck in Slowakije

The GT World Sprint Series, a mix of beautiful cars, close fights, champagne and sunshine. Summarized a great weekend for having the Kick-Off of the Supercar Challenge season. In the Antwerpian Super’SPORK’copa’s, we saw some familiar faces. On the one hand, Jimmy Adriaenssens as a solid value within the Spork Racing Team, keen on making a good impression during the first weekend. On the other hand De Kimpe – Van Paemel who will defend the colors of Petronas. Jimmy’s former teammate David Nye had to forfait the first racemeeting because he had to compete in the third and fourth round of the British Touring Car Championship.

“When it started to rain on Friday just before the qualifying session, we had to take a guess concerning tires and setup. Just before the session I decided to fit raintires and made some quick setup changes. Seen that the car felt extremely stable, it was a decision that paid off right away. Although my tires had already gone through one heat cycle, we succeeded in conquering the third place. I went for another fast lap because of the new rule in which the organisation takes your two fastest laptimes for the starting grid positions of both races. During the last minute we dropped back one place when a BMW shod on slicks clocked pole. Nevertheless starting from P4 and P5 was the ultimate proof that the Spork Racing Team had delivered some astonishing work this winter.” Jimmy Adriaenssens.

The start of the first race was close, the Riwal Seat tapped the BMW 1, just in front of Jimmy’s white and red Supercopa. The Riwal Seat got into a drift that made him touch the wall smoothly. Adriaenssens saw this as an opportunity and took off with the two leading BMW’s, but unfortunately Jimmy started to feel a braking problem. “Each time I hammered the brakes my rear wheels locked, I changed the braking pressure all the way to the front but it wouldn’t help. I couldn’t get enough pressure in the front braking system so I tried to be easier on the brakes. Being easier on the brakes I started losing valuable seconds and I had to accept the locking rear tires, hoping that my rear tires would last through the race. After about 40 minutes of racing, I started to feel vibrations, I knew I got to the core of the tire and that rubber was coming of.” explains Adriaenssens. “Approximately fifteen minutes before the finish, my left rear tire exploded and I was forced to pit. After having lost a few places, we regained a few but we had to accept being fourth Supercopa and eight overall.”

After having made profound adjustments to the braking system of the car, Adriaenssens was keen on translating the hard work of Spork into good results during the second race. Jimmy got off the line quickly and got into a fight with the BMW M3 WTCC of Ronald Van Loon. After multiple spectacular actions, Jimmy could create a gap and took off. “Settled in fifth position I was racing about 10 seconds in front of the main pack and 10 seconds behind the leading group. It was impossible to find a slipstream and close the gap with the leading group. After the pitstop, the situation was kind of similar but eventually we did gain one place and became fourth overall, with a second place amongst the Seat Supercopa’s. A very satisfying result after this braking issue of the previous day!” The first podium for Supercopa n° 423 was a fact and the team was overjoyed to see that competing in the top five is possible now!

The whole team is looking forward to their trip to Slovakia on May 18th – 19th. In Slovakia, Jimmy’s co David Nye will rejoin the team and exploit his BTCC-skills in the international Supercar Challenge.

See enclosed PDF-files for the downloadable (Dutch) race reviews.

Persbericht NL – SRO GT Sprint (Mooie seizoensopener voor Adriaenssens tijdens de FIA GT Zolder)

Press release ENG – SRO GT Sprint (Good season opener for Adriaenssens during the FIA GT Zolder)

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SupercarChallenge.nl – Mooie seizoensopener voor Adriaenssens in de Supercar Challenge

After a busy winter of preparations, the Spork Racing Team could finally release its Touring Cars last Sunday. Both the Spanisch Supercopas were to be found at Circuit Park Zandvoort for several testing sessions in order to start the Supercar Challenge 2013 championship. The drivers were thrilled to feel the new developments on the cars and happily review the succesfull roll-out of 2013.

“For the 2013 season we again chose for the Supercar Challenge because 2012 was a successfull debute to us. We enjoyed lots of media attention, experienced a high level of sportivity and also the diversity of racetracks motivated us. The team has tranformed its motivation into astonishing work over the winter and my car got a new livery. Of course we kept the well known Spork-colors red and white, but we adjusted the accents. Concerning the drivers, I’ll be on my own for several races. My English compagnon David Nye has to forfait five out of eight races due to his participation in the BTCC (UK). In this famous Britisch Touring Car Championship, he’ll be fighting in the S2000 classe with a Ford Focus. Unfortunately most of the Supercar Challenge meetings clash with BTCC. Nevertheless we’ll try our very best to defend the honor of Belgians in this European championship!” Jimmy Adriaenssens.

In about three weeks, the Supercar Challenge 2013 has its kick-off at Zolder. April 19th, 20th and 21st the SRO GT Sprint is held at Zolder where the Supercar Challenge will run its first 2 races. The Spork Racing Team is keen on making a solid impression on the Limburgian racetrack!

See enclosed PDF-file for the Dutch race review.

Persbericht – Preview Supercar Challenge 2013

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Supercar Challenge.nl – Spork Racing opnieuw met twee Supercopa’s in Supercar Challenge

RaceXpress.be – Spork Racing opnieuw met twee Supercopa’s in Supercar Challenge

After a fertile year for the entire Spork Racing Team, the last races of the Supercar Challenge were held during the Final Races Assen last weekend. The duo Adriaenssens-Nye crowned itself vice-champion in the Supercopa division earlier, but was still keen on shining in the Supersport division. As usual, the second Supercopa n° 325 was driven by the duo De Kimpe – Van Paemel.

“The qualifying session was one never to forget, it was stopped twice for an oil trail and for a huge crash. The Seat Leon Supercopa of Remco De Beus went off in the ‘Ramshoek’-corner and rolled four times to eventually land on its roof. Eventually the paddock filled itself with joy again, after having noted that Remco only suffered a concussion and some bruised ribs from this horror-crash! Luckily David could easily forget the accident and lapped a toptime, which gave us P3 in the Supercopa division.” Jimmy Adriaenssens.

David Nye started the first race and launched himself until he got hit hard by a slightly too optimistic competitor. “While exiting the second corner the car next to me threw itself on the ideal line, not noticing I was already driving there. His car hit mine pretty hard and we both went off. Once I rejoined the track I felt vibrations whilst braking, they were caused by a damaged bearing. If I’d go to the pits, I’d lose that much time that the race would be over so we decided over the radio that I’d keep driving and noticing the bearing problem. If it didn’t get worse I could easily fulfill the race.” Due to that avoidable collision, the Supercopa of the English-Belgian duo lost time but regained it slowly. After about thirty minutes of racing, it was up to Jimmy Adriaenssens. He rejoined the track in a fourth position, with about a twelve second gap on the other Super’SPORK’copa. “After a few laps, the Petronas-car appeared in front of me and I closed the gap with Vincent Van Paemel. What followed was a titanic struggle which was clearly tasted by the crowd. Several attacks followed one to another but it became obvious that pushing these attacks would lead to contact and contact with my teammate was the last thing I wanted. The pace got higher and higher and we started equaling our qualifying times. I also knew that Jonas and Vincent needed their points while my vice-title had already been ensured in Spa, so I wasn’t going to rush an overtake. As I followed Vincent I saw he had really done his homework right. He rarely made mistakes, which made overtaking harder and harder. Watching Vincent race like that was a clear confirmation that the Spork Racing Team is a nursery for young talent. For this once we had to agree on finishing fourth.” still a satisfied Jimmy Adriaenssens.

The start of the second race was up to AJ. He got away pretty easy and won three positions in the first straight. He immediately seized the third place amongst the Supercopas, but what followed was outright horror. “I saw a Lotus approaching in my mirror and I created an opening for him to pass. As a thank you, the car launched itself, just like in the first race, onto my right front wheel. My suspension was smashed and the race was over. After having examined the video footage it was obvious I didn’t have any blame in the collision. I went aside as far as I could and the other car still made contact. It was obvious the other car throttled way to soon and slided into mine. Ok, this is racing, but if I see one car making the same mistake twice, I start asking myself questions…” an seriously indignant Jimmy Adriaenssens.

Despite these crashes in the last weekend, it has been a very sportive and beautiful racing season with a lot of podiums, good atmosphere and a vice-title for the duo Adriaenssens-Nye. Also the Supercopa of De Kimpe – Van Paemel proved to be strong and could concur the third place in the Supercopa division. The knowledge and passion of the Spork Racing Team have clearly been confirmed and team manager Herman likes to thank all his driver and team members for the great cooperation.

 See enclosed PDF-file for the Dutch race review.

Persbericht – Finale Races Assen Review (Adriaenssens-Nye zijn vice-kampioen in Supercar Challenge Seat Supercopa)

During the 13th and 14th of October, the gentlemen of the Supercar Challenge could recompete again, this time in the homeland of the Belgian… Spa-Francorchamps. With one free practice, one qualifying session and one race on Saturday, continued by one race on Sunday, it was obvious that Saturday was the center of the weekend. The Spork Racing Team defended their interests with its usual weapons: Jimmy Adriaenssens – David Nye in Supercopa n° 323 and Jonas De Kimpe – Vincent Van Paemel in Supercopa n° 325.

After a favorable free practice and qualifying session on Spork’s homecircuit, the weekend couldn’t go wrong anymore. Just behind a huge pack of GT’s amongst which Ferrari’s, Lamborghini’s, Viper, Mosler,… the red-white vehicle of the duo Adriaenssens-Nye could start from P13 in the Supersport-division.

Jimmy took the start of the first race and enjoyed his stint to the fullest. After about fifteen minutes, the leaders of the Supersport-division appeared in his visor. Slow but certainly, terrain was gained. “Suddenly the weather gods appeared to favor us and treated us with some drizzly rain, some drivers didn’t even seem to notice while others entered the pits for rain tires. It was obvious that this drizzle wouldn’t take long and I decided not to fit rain tires, the track was just a little bit moisty, not wet yet. To my great pleasure, I saw two BMW-drivers losing the trust in their cars and it became a matter of time to overtake them.” Jimmy Adriaenssens. After AJ’s party of ice-skating on the moisty surface, he came in to change drivers with David. “While we were standing in the pits, we really didn’t have a clue how the surface was our there. We saw the track was a bit moisty but we had to trust Jimmy for the choice of tires into the second part of the race. Jimmy decided to send me out on slicks and indeed this was the right choice. The rain stopped almost immediately after the pitstop and everybody went flat out again. I tried to pick up a few places until we got treated with heavy rain just ten minutes before the end. It wasn’t worth it anymore to change tires, so we had to fullfill the race trying to keep the car between the lines. Eventually the weather got worse and everybody lowered its rhythm, trying to avoid risks. Nevertheless we became sixth in Supersport and second amongst the Supercopa’s. A favorable result!” David Nye.

The second race was held in much more stable conditions. The sun would shine from beginning to end, only the podiumceremony would become a soaped happening. David took the start of the second race and drove, thanks to the good result in race one, nicely in between the leading group. It was a matter of attaching and attacking where possible. Also Jimmy’s stint ran that way, with the only difference he refound his former competitors from race one. The message was clear, trying to get the other to make a fuss, make an attack and create a gap so re-attacking would be impossible. Just behind a yellow flag situation Jimmy saw his chance. As well Ruud Olij (BMW M3 GT4) as Martin Lanting (BMW Z4) didn’t seem to find their speed after the neutralization and had to make place for the Antwerpian Super’SPORK’copa. Eventually the Belgian-English duo finished seventh in Supersport and third in Seat Supercopa. With this result they have insured their vice-title in the Supercopa-division.

The final race of the season will be held on the 27th and 28th of October on the Dutch racetrack TT Assen. There, the Belgian-English duo will again try to get a general podium in Supersport.

See enclosed PDF-file for the Dutch race review.

Persbericht – Racing Festival Spa Review (Adriaenssens-Nye officieel tot vice-kampioen gekroond met nog 2 races op het programma)

For the second time, the Supersport-divison of the Supercar Challenge headed north to run round thirteen and fourtheen on Dutch soil. For both the duo’s Adriaenssens J. / Nye D. (SPC 323) and De Kimpe J. / Van Paemel V. (SPC 325) Circuit Park Zandvoort was considered new. With only a virtual idea of the racetrack, the Antwerpian Spork Racing Team arrived highly motivated.

“During the free practice we all had to get used to the narrow track. At several crucial points on the track you only had one meter of grass, followed by a tire wall or guard rails. It was obvious that focus and respecting the car’s limits would be the key factor this weekend! Nevertheless we knew that the weekend would bring use beautiful challenges and what more does a driver want?” Jimmy ‘AJ’ Adriaenssens.

Shod on new rubber, the Antwerpian Supercopa’s took off. The beginning of the qualifying session immediately confirmed Jimmy and David’s vision about Circuit Park Zandvoort because in the first lap already a BMW 1.30i made a mistake and putted itself into the barrier right in front the Belgian-English duo. The qualifying session got neutralized and a ten minute delay kept the cars in the pitlane. Still a bit impressed by the accident right in front of him, Jimmy re-entered the track and started exploring the boundaries. Eventually a second place in Supercopa, eight in general got realized and the countdown to the first race started.

In the qualifying session, Jimmy also assisted another driver, he would share a KTM X-Bow with Rudi Lemmens in as well the qualifying session as the first race. “My ride in the beautiful KTM X-Bow came rather unexpected. Rudi, who became X-Bow Battle Champion 2011 had recently decided to give the Supercar Challenge a try. Fitted with an engine update and slicks for the first time, the KTM was transformed from an amazing road vehicle to a competitive race car with good odds in the Supercar Challenge. After our spontaneous meeting on Friday, we joined hands together for Saturday and I would start the first race in my red-white Supercopa, to then change vehicles and finish the race in the KTM X-Bow. During qualifying I’ve had two laps to explore the car and everything felt good.”

The weather just before the First race spoke volumes. Though all the cars were fitted with slicks, it started raining heavily just before the race. The doubt increased and everybody wondered: would the track dry before the race or not. Salvation came when it started raining even harder. Until just before the start of the race, a lot of spray came of the cars in the other session and rain tires were fitted. Unfortunately this spray was very local and about 70% of the track was dry. Team manager Herman Adriaenssens had to make the decision and just before the warm-up lap he called both his cars in to fit slicks. “Afterwards this clearly was the right choice. Jimmy, who started from the pits, followed by five other cars who shared our decision, was able to regain nineteen places in half an hour. Starting twenty-fifth, he entered the pitlane after his stint as sixth to give the car to David. David himself didn’t have any trouble whatsoever to stay in front of the other cars but unfortunately the gap between him and the leading group got to big. Eventually Jimmy and David finished sixth in general and second Supercopa!” a satisfied Herman Adriaenssens.

“Both my stints in the Supercopa and the X-Bow went smoothly. It though was a minor adaptation to change from a front wheel driven car to a rear wheel driven car so sudden, but as each driver knows it only takes you a few meters to get into your rhythm. After the first corner already you can feel the limits and reactions of the car and you try to give the best of yourself!” J. Adriaenssens.

David Nye “Meanwhile it has become a habitude that I start the second race. An aspect which wasn’t any problem for me, knowing I could start from the third row. Starting sixth I had a clear view on the leading group and I could plan my attacks thoroughly. During the start I climbed up to the fourth place, but because I couldn’t find a gap to get to the inside of the first corner I had to give my top five spot away. Due to the narrowness of Zandvoort it was hard finding a place to overtake. Nevertheless I brought the car in safely and in sixth position Jimmy drove off to end the weekend.”

It was clear that the Spanish powersource of Adriaenssens – Nye was keen proving itself on Dutch soil. “I really wanted to make something special out of the last and deciding stint so I tried to improve our general position. After about tree laps I got the KTM X-Bow of Retera-Kox in sight. Knowing I approached Kox and with the other X-Bow of R. Lemmens behind me I knew I could lose or win big time. Hanging in sixth, my driving could provide me a fifth or in the worst case a seventh place. Motivation enough, and the gap between me and Kox became smaller while Lemmens kept following me from the same distance. Once attached to the first X-Bow it was a matter of making a clean attack and driving off. Luckily I succeeded and kept both X-Bows behind me. Now we were only 2 positions from the general podium. A few laps later, Lady Fortune showed up and the car in front me in fourth position was forced to go to the pitlane due to a mechanical malfunction. Before I knew it, I was fourth and I only had to defend because the top tree drove about forty seconds in front of me. An age in terms of racing!. Eventually we finished fourth in general and again second Supercopa, a result which rewarded the proud members of the Spork Racing Team for their ever lasting hard work and of course our partners which make it all possible! Enormous thanks to everybody!!” a very satisfied Jimmy Adriaenssens.

On the 12th – 14th of October, the second to last race meeting is held at Spa-Francorchamps. The Spork Racing Team is very much looking forward to defend their interests on proper soil and will again show up with their both Supercopa’s, n° 323 and n° 325.

See enclosed PDF-file for the Dutch race review.

Persbericht – Trophy of the Dunes Review (Uitje aan zee resulteert in een berg punten voor Adriaenssens-Nye)

Throughout the 6th – 9th of September, the BeNeLux Supercar Challenge spiced the 24 hours of Zolder – weekend. The formation was as always, 1 free practice, 1 qualifying and 2 races. Both the Antwerpian Super’SPORK’copa’s were tamed by Adriaenssens J. / Nye D. (n° 323) and De Kimpe J. (n° 325).

The qualifying session on Thursday was very promising, seen that Jimmy Adriaenssens succeeded in breaking the lap record of Spork Racing by as much as 0,6 seconds. In reality a negligible number but within the top level of car racing a difference that can decide whether somebody starts from pole or last. During the Superprix at Zolder a few months ago, car 323 clocked 1.42.2, now 1.41.6. This proves Spork’s unstoppable urge to shine by constantly improving its cars. Spork is really keen on breaking the 1.40 barrier.

“Because I clocked the fastest laptime in qualifying, I got the honor to start the first race. I tried to choose the correct moment to go flat out in the rolling start and was able to mix with leading group. It was racing on the edge and one attack followed the other. I couldn’t immediately pass the BMW M3 GT4 of Stox – De Vries but nevertheless I kept trying. During the fifth or sixth lap, suddenly the car lost power. I clearly heard an uncontrolled burn in my exhaust and had to pull over. After having tried to reset the car without any result I was towed. While the team manager tried to start the car I heard the engine going into a loop and we almost immediately knew the problem. The ECU-fuse was broken and after having changed it, I headed of again. Eventually David and I succeeded in conquering a hth place amongst the Supercopa’s but if the fuse hadn’t blown we’d surely could have obtained a podium.” Jimmy ‘AJ’ Adriaenssens.

David Nye took the start of the second race and delivered a second place amongst the Supercopa’s during his stint! In general he climbed from 24^th to 13^th. Jimmy had to take the second part of the race and he was keen on getting the Spanish bull in the top ten. Due to the enormous heat (about 33°C in the shadows) each car had to cope with temperature issues. “I tried to stay calm and save the car. It was a matter of strategically preparing your attack on another competitor, otherwise you didn’t succeed in overtaking and running of. You really had to cool down the car for about 2 laps by revving less and then making a surprising attack so you could immediately create a gap. If not, and you had to take defending line, you’d probably end up battling and struggling to defend your place. If you could create a gap and avoid any defence, you could save the car, run smooth and fast lines and run away.” AJ. After 60 minutes of racing in the blistering heat, the Belgian – English duo saw the chequered flag and was very satisfied to have gained another podium. They became 2^nd in Supercopa and 8^th overall.

During the 21^st – 23^rd of September, the Antwerpian Spork Racing Team will head off to Circuit Park Zandvoort to enlarge their gap on the 3^rd Supercopa in the championship. In Holland Spork will again compete with its red-white and green-white cars.

See enclosed PDF-file for the Dutch race review.

Persbericht – 24h of Zolder Review (Spork zorgt voor een pittig voorprogramma van de legendarische 24hoZ)