A Glorious Spring Day for the TAC Rally
This morning, under the resplendent glow of a spring sun, 62 teams embarked on the 50th edition of the TAC Rally in Tielt, marking the second leg of the Kroon-Oil Belgian Rally Championship Division 2. Among the notable absentees was Pieter-Jan Michiel Cracco, who regrettably fell ill on Thursday night, forcing him to withdraw from the competition. In an unexpected turn, the Jobfixers team welcomed reigning champion Cédric Cherain to take the wheel of the Porsche 991 GT3, partnering with the capable Jasper Vermeulen.
While champions are typically assigned the illustrious number one, this time it had been claimed by Frédéric Miclotte, who had the honour of opening the course for the first time. However, his initial enjoyment was cut short—after just a few kilometres, he encountered a misstep, sliding off the track and breaking a rim. Thus, his race ended before it could truly begin.
A Thrilling Competition Unfolds
In the wake of Miclotte’s unfortunate exit, Vincent Verschueren swiftly commandeered the lead in his Citroën C3 Rally2, clocking an impressive four consecutive fastest times. His performance earned him a significant 13.3-second advantage over Niels Reynvoet, who noted, “We started on the hard S20 tyres, which proved to be the correct choice, as the sun warmed the asphalt effectively. The feel was reassuring from the outset, although the brakes did start to fade in the later stages. One must remain vigilant for punctures, as the cords are visibly worn.”
Niels Reynvoet, piloting the Hyundai i20 N Rally2, struggled to keep pace with Verschueren. “We made an ill-fated decision regarding tyres, opting for the softer S10 variant. They overheated, resulting in a loss of grip. Nonetheless, the remainder of the drive was enjoyable.”
Surprisingly securing third was Cédric Cherain with the Jobfixers Porsche. “It’s all going rather well. The car feels splendid, and Jasper, who is reading notes in French for the first time, is performing admirably. We’ve simplified my note system considerably, which reduces information overload. To be in third is quite unexpected,” Cherain remarked, a smile of surprise lighting his face. He had only managed reconnaissance the previous afternoon, making his performance all the more impressive.
Newcomer Breaks Through
Close behind, Nicola Stampaert trailed Cherain by a mere 3.2 seconds in his Skoda Fabia RS. Following a commendable start, he found himself challenged by the 21-year-old debutant Lander Depotter, who made a notable impression in the Citroën C3 Rally2. “It’s my first experience in Tielt, and I was forewarned about the slippery conditions, yet it exceeded my expectations for slipperiness! After navigating just a few corners, I was well aware of the challenge,” Depotter recounted with a laugh. “The third and fourth stages have certainly improved. My goal today is to learn and finish, but I wouldn’t mind a place on the podium.”
Tim Van Parijs found himself in a surprising fifth place with his Porsche 997 GT3. “I never anticipated being so close to Cherain. We initially planned to push hard for just two stages and then perhaps ease back for the spectacle. Now, however, we intend to continue this momentum,” he explained.
Robin Maes secured seventh with his new Skoda Fabia RS, leading the way for Patrick Snijers, who, despite facing a technical issue with the steering gear that left play in the steering wheel, managed to retain his position as third in the GT category. Gunther Monnens, however, saw a drop from seventh to ninth due to a punctured bleeder on the front left during the fourth stage. Thibaud Mazuin rounded out the top ten finishers.
In the MATS Performance M-Cup, Philip Lommers held a precarious lead, closely pursued by Kurt Braeckevelt, who experienced a mishap on the fourth stage. Franky Boulat secured third, ahead of Andy Lefevere. Lastly, in the Historic category, Paul Lietaer demonstrated dominance with his Ford Escort, effortlessly claiming the lead.
As the sun continues to shine, the remaining stages promise to deliver further excitement and unexpected turns for both competitors and spectators alike.
