Cherain’s Porsche Upsets Title Chase
Cédric Cherain delivered a flawless drive in his Porsche 992 Rally GT at the Omloop van Vlaanderen, throwing a spanner in the works of the Kroon-Oil Belgian Rally Championship title fight. The championship isn’t settled yet, although Jos Verstappen could seal his maiden Belgian rally title with just two points at Sankt-Vith this Saturday—a ninth place would suffice. But it’s hard to imagine Verstappen, Dutch ex-F1 star, settling for anything less than a demonstration of his mettle on these demanding roads at age 53, eager as ever to teach Belgium’s rising young talents a lesson on a circuit designed for hard-charging contenders
Whether Verstappen’s Skoda Fabia RS can match the raw firepower of Cherain’s Porsche on the fast and flowing natural stages remains to be seen.
A Star-Studded Entry List
The answers will emerge Saturday evening after twelve stages totalling 140 kilometres against the clock. The entry is impressive, defined not only by the Cherain–Verstappen title battle. Maxime Potty, last year’s winner in Sankt-Vith and reigning 2023 champion, makes his return in a Skoda Fabia RS—a formidable outsider, as is Tom Rensonnet in the Lifelive Motorsport Hyundai i20 N Rally2.
Fifteen Rally2 cars will line up, and young aces like Jonas Dewilde and Thomas Martens are ones to watch on this rapid route—both will campaign Citroën C3 Rally2s, joined by Emile Breittmayer and Jimmy D’hondt in the same machinery. Steve Fernandes and Sébastien Incardona put their hopes behind Hyundai i20 N Rally2s, Bert Coene journeys from West Flanders in his tried-and-trusted Ford Fiesta Rally2, and Tommy Rollinger remains loyal to the Peugeot 208 T16
Battle of the Brands and Local Heroes
Skoda’s ranks are boosted by Verstappen and Potty, alongside Nicolas Stampaert (eyeing a Top 5 finish), Thibaud Mazuin, Richard Pex—hoping to celebrate with Verstappen—and compatriot Joep Luth. The grid is further enlivened by a fleet of powerful Porsches: in addition to Cherain, Loïc Pirot opts for the Porsche 992 Rally GT, as do local brothers Kevin and Marco Hommes. Henri Schmelcher wheels out his 991 GT3, while Stefaan Prinzie aims to thrill with his rapid Alpine A110 RGT.
Fans can also expect the spectacular Rally2 and GT battles to be complemented by quick BMWs from the MATS Performance M-Cup and a tight contest in the Stellantis Cup.
All Eyes on Sankt-Vith
Set your gaze on Sankt-Vith this Saturday, 27 September, for what promises to be a grand East Belgian Rally—arguably one of the most compelling chapters yet in a season defined by power, prestige and fierce competition.
