Heli sponsors driver in Belgium Tarmac Championship
17 May 2010
Belgium rental and sales company Heli is sponsoring rally driver Vincent Verschueren and his co-driver, Lara Vanneste again. Mr Verschueren won the Belgian Historic Rally Championship last year, in a car part-sponsored by Heli.
This year Mr Verschueren and Ms Vanneste are competing in the main Belgium Tarmac Championship, in a Symtech Racing Subaru Impreza STR09. The early stages of the contest have brought some interesting challenges. An engine failure forced the reigning Historic Rally Champion to retire from the second round of the Tarmac Championship.
The team replaced the engine for the recent Wallonie Rally. However, a problem with engine mapping meant the car was operating on reduced power. Rather than admit defeat, Mr Verschueren adjusted his driving style and still managed to capture forth place.
Mr Verschueren said, "This rally was quite frustrating as the stages were very fast. Apart from the down on power engine the car was fine - and we know already that we have the pace after winning Group N on the Haspengouw Rally."
Throughout 2010, the team will be contesting the full Belgium Tarmac Championship, plus a selection of historic rallies. They also intend to compete in the World Rally Championship Rally Germany in August.
