The 27th Rally van Haspengouw is set to inaugurate the 2025 Kroon-Oil Belgian Rally Championship Division 1 on Saturday, 22 February. With a robust lineup of 64 competitors, featuring an impressive 12 Rally2s and 4 GTs, the event promises a highly competitive and thrilling showdown along the swift stages bordered by orchards.
Leading the pack is two-time Belgian champion Kris Princen, piloting the unregistered “0” car—a brand new Porsche 992 Rally GT—alongside reigning champion Cédric Cherain who will drive the Porsche 991 GT3 with the number 1 emblazoned on it. Both previous champions have advanced to a higher class. Despite this, in favorable weather conditions, the potent Porsches are strong contenders, particularly in the RGT class where they will compete for points against formidable opponents like 7-time Belgian champion Patrick Snijers, Frank Jorissen, and Henri Schmelcher, all starting in Porsches.
The spotlight for victory, however, may shine on Jos Verstappen, who marked his rally debut at Haspengouw three years ago. This season, the Dutchman targets the Belgian title, piloting a Skoda Fabia RS from Wevers Sport, thoroughly prepared as ever. Niels Reynvoet, last year’s third-place finisher with three BRC victories to his name, is set to challenge in a new Hyundai i20 N Rally2 Step2 from LifeLive Motorsport. It’s hoped that Reynvoet will adapt quickly to the Hyundai, as should Tom Rensonnet, also driving a Hyundai from LifeLive Motorsport, though it will be his first Rally2 experience at Haspengouw.
Veteran racer Pieter Tsjoen, an eight-time Belgian rally champion, returns navigated by his daughter Juliette in a Toyota Yaris Rally2 from PTR Racing. Vincent Verschueren, 2017 Belgian champion and a strong competitor, has mastered the Citroën C3 Rally2 this season. Citroën’s team also includes Bjorn Syx, a promising contender who showed potential last year despite an early setback.
The competition brims with potential dark horses like Emile Breittmayer, seasoned in the C3 Rally2 and aiming for a top-5 finish; local favorite Jimmy D’hondt hoping for another notable finish; and the Skoda team featuring Jonas Langenakens, Fred Miclotte—who secured an 8th place last year—Nicolas Stampaert, eager to make amends for his last outing, and the ever-enthusiastic Richard Pex, who savors every stage in his Fabia RS.
In the Rally3 category, the battle intensifies between veteran Xavier Dekeyser in his Renault Clio Rally3 and the promising 18-year-old Thomas Martens from Hasselt, also in a Clio Rally3. Martens recently impressed with a 6th place finish at the Junior WRC in Sweden. Another notable young driver, Lander Depotter in an Opel Corsa Rally4, aims to compete against these seasoned racers.
Additional excitement unfolds in the MATS Performance M-Cup, featuring racers like Franky Boulat, Kurt Braeckevelt, and Andy Lefevere, alongside the BRC Trophy competitors Lény Cols, Christiaan Spelmans, and RNT newcomer Thyrsa Eertmans, plus participants in the Historic and Youngtimer BRC.
The rally kicks off at 8 AM on Saturday, 22 February, at Hangar 66 in Sint-Truiden. Drivers will tackle three rounds of four special stages, covering a total of 137.19 km of high-speed racing.