- Roger Hodenius makes a successful comeback nine years after his podium in Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Benelux
- Young talent Sacha Norden takes double class win for Cayman GT4
The pyramid of the Porsche competitions in the Benelux includes three full series. Of course there is the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux, which will start on 6 and 7 May at Spa-Francorchamps. The Porsche Endurance Trophy Benelux starts a week later, as part of the Belgian endurance championship Belcar and yesterday, Thursday 21 April, the first appointment of the Porsche Sprint Challenge Benelux was on the agenda at Circuit Zandvoort. This renewed competition consists of five one-day meetings, always on weekdays and aims, among other things, at the passionate gentlemen drivers in various generations of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, but also at the wheel of the Porsche Cayman GT4. The first races were brilliant, with great battles under a lovely spring sun on the North Sea and Roger Hodenius and Sacha Norden took the win.
The first appointment of the Porsche Sprint Challenge Benelux was a bull's eye. Series Manager Lars Plato was therefore satisfied after the premiere on the sunny North Sea.
“It was a premiere of what is basically a new competition, because everything is fundamentally different from previous years. We had eighteen cars, neatly divided between nine Porsche 911 GT3 Cup and nine Porsche Cayman GT4. In addition, we had no fewer than five drivers who really made their debut in competition and that is very encouraging. We drove in an experience day of Porsche Experience and we also had quite a few people who were interested in making the switch from the track days to the competition. The fact that everything is completed in one day also seems to be a significant plus for the participants. I can only say that we are very satisfied from our side and are looking forward to the next meeting, on July 4 in Zandvoort, followed shortly after by the races at Circuit Zolder on July 21.”
Hodenius and Norden win twice
It was Roger Hodenius who was able to lead the field for both races. The Dutchman in the colors of Team GP Elite made his comeback in competition, nine years after taking part in the inaugural season of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, the predecessor of the Porsche Carrera Cup. Hodenius then ended the season with a podium in Zandvoort and seems to have lost none of his speed yet. He now won both races, ahead of Jaxon Verhoeven (Speedlover), the fastest of the competitors in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup – Type 991. Niels Troost (Team GP Elite) drove his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup – Type 992 to third place. The young Sacha Norden (Team GP Elite) was first in class for Porsche Cayman GT4, ahead of his teammates Alexander Goddijn and Cedric Chassang.
The second race was again for Roger Hodenius, for Niels Troost and Stijn Lowette, for the time being the only Belgian at the start. The NGT Racing driver was also very excited about the first weekend of the new competition. Michel Arfman (Team GP Elite) was the fastest man in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup – Type 991. Sacha Norden, Cedric Chassang and Lin Hodenius, all three in Team GP Elite livery, claimed the podium in the Porsche Cayman GT4.
So the second appointment is again at Circuit Zandvoort on July 4!
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