Stellantis Rally Cup 10 duos take on the challenge of the Westhoek!

The Belgian rally season traditionally peaks with the Ypres Rally, a must-see event at the start of the summer, featuring unique and challenging stages in the Westhoek. This year, the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup Belux 2025 organises its second round in Ypres, with ten duos competing in either an Opel Corsa Rally4 or a Peugeot 208 Rally4.

Lander Depotter, the winner of the Rallye de Wallonie, is highly motivated as he starts the stages for his home race in Ypres. He is a strong favourite to excel on the challenging course, lined with deep ditches. However, he will need to keep an eye on fellow Junior driver Maxim Decock, whose impressive progress cannot be overlooked. With the absence of the Dutchman Nard Ippen, who suffered vehicle damage in Namur, these two drivers are poised to set the pace in the Westhoek.

Manuel Merlevede, also hailing from the region, aims to make progress and break into the top three of the Cup. Meanwhile, German driver Lukas Thiele, who performed well in the Rallye de Wallonie, will start without regular co-driver Loris Elst due to professional commitments, but instead will team up with his co-driver from last year, Ann Felke.

In the Westhoek, Valery Revillod and Corentin Dozot are eager to continue their learning process, particularly on special stages that require extensive knowledge of the course.

A noteworthy addition to the field in Ypres is Lander Dhaene. With his Opel Corsa Rally4, he brings solid international experience and recently competed in Wervik to gain familiarity with a comparable course. He is certainly one to watch.

Additionally, Simon Rubrecht, from the regional rally circuit, and Jordy Cruys, who won the RC4 category in the Sezoensrally, aim to make a statement in the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup Belux. Can they catch the attention of observers with a strong performance?

Irish driver Niall O’Sullivan, absent in Wallonia, will kick off his season in the Westhoek, intending to benefit from his experience on the typical special stages.

In addition to Nard Ippen, there are a few other participants absent: Steven Spittaels will be co-driving in another category, Sergio Plattes and Corentin Fiasse, who the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup Belux hopes to see again in its third round in the Omloop van Vlaanderen.

But first, ten duos will take to the starting line in Ypres, promising an exciting spectacle and a thrilling battle ahead!