Stellantis Rally Cup Ypres Rally
Lander Dhaene (Rally4) and Nolann Lejeune (Rally6) master in the Westhoek
After the winter opener at the Rally van Haspengouw and the sunny stages of the Ardenne Rally Festival, the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup headed to the Westhoek to take part in the annual Ypres Rally, one of the highlights of the Belgian rally season.
In the absence of two-time winner at the start of the season, Lander Depotter, who decided to try his hand in a Rally2 car, the Rally4 battle was more open than ever. While Lander Dhaene (Opel Corsa) was the quickest into action on Friday afternoon, two fastest times for Thijs Meirlevede (Lancia Ypsilon HF) and one each for Manuel Merlevede (Peugeot 208) and Chesney Deroo (Peugeot 208) demonstrated just how competitive the field was. By setting the fastest time in SS7 Reninge 2, the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup Golden Stage, Dhaene nevertheless made the first good move of the weekend, ending Friday’s leg ahead of French veteran Frédéric Perrard and Thijs Meirlevede. Back in the Rally Cup, Germany’s Lukas Thiele (Opel Corsa) held a promising fourth place.
The battle for stage wins continued on Saturday, with fastest times shared between Meirlevede, Merlevede, Deroo, Simon Rubbrecht (Peugeot 208), Dhaene, Perrard and Thiele. That meant that… seven different drivers claimed stage victories! Simply magical…
Lander Dhaene, however, never looked troubled at the top of the standings and secured victory in Ypres ahead of the impressive surprise package Chesney Deroo, Lukas Thiele on his return to the podium, Frédéric Perrard, Simon Rubbrecht, Thijs Meirlevede, Frenchman Frédéric Roussel (Peugeot 208) and… sixty-year-old Dirk Verkinderen (Lancia Ypsilon HF), who clearly enjoyed himself! Also worth noting was the retirement of Lény Cols (Lancia Ypsilon HF), who went off the road in the rain during SS9 Watou 1 on Saturday morning.
In the end, the biggest winner of the Ypres weekend was… Lander Depotter, after Manuel Merlevede was forced to retire while having played his joker. With 62 points, Depotter remains the solid championship leader ahead of Corentin Fiasse (42), Westhoek winner Lander Dhaene (41) and Manuel Merlevede (40).
Allart crashes out, Lejeune takes victory
In Rally6, another duel was expected between RACB Rally Battle winners Emilien Allart and Nolann Lejeune, both driving Opel Corsas. But local driver Brent Boudrez (Lancia Ypsilon HF) had other ideas, setting his first fastest time as early as SS4, a feat he would repeat… ten more times before reaching the final podium! It also allowed him to make a very good move in the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup standings.
Although Allart led Lejeune by 27.00 seconds on Friday evening, he saw his main rival gradually close the gap on Saturday… before crashing heavily in SS17 Zillebeke 2! Fortunately, both crew members escaped unharmed.
The road was then clear for Nolann Lejeune and co-driver Olivier Dethier, who claimed a second consecutive victory after Alle-sur-Semois. The RACB National Team driver finished ahead of a simply outstanding Brent Boudrez, who could only regret the time lost (more than three minutes!) in SS1 on Friday afternoon due to a puncture. Nick Deroo (Peugeot 208) completed the top three ahead of Timo Collez (Peugeot 208), Frenchman Enzo Taterka (Peugeot 208) and Benoit Wauthier (Peugeot 208), who rejoined under Super Rally after suffering a puncture and a problem with… his jack!
In the Cup standings after Ypres, Nolann Lejeune has obviously made a very good move by opening up a gap at the top, with 79 points compared to Emilien Allart’s 60. Brent Boudrez moves up impressively to third place with 48 points, ahead of Jean Beaupain (33), Benjamin Bosseloir (23) and Benoit Wauthier (21).
Finally, this Ypres Rally once again demonstrated the value of the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup Belux ‘Discovery’ formula. For some competitors, who were making their first appearance of the season, there will undoubtedly be a sequel… perhaps as early as the Rallye Lëtzebuerg, scheduled in less than two weeks’ time on Saturday, July 11. The date is set!
(End)
