Photo: Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux
Already this weekend, Latvia’s leading highway driver Valters Zviedris will take part in the first stage of the “Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux” championship on the Spa-Francorchamps track. The opening of the season will be held together with the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC), thus the Latvian racing driver will have the opportunity to show himself on the highest level world stage at the legendary track in Belgium.
This season, the Swede and his team reached an agreement with the experienced Belgian team “Q1-Trackracing” to compete in the championship based in Belgium and the Netherlands. The Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux was chosen because it is one of the strongest Porsche championships in Europe, with high-level drivers and excellent F1 tracks (Spa-Francorchamps, Imola, Zandvoort and Red Bull Ring). The level of the series is also shown by the fact that, in addition to promising young pilots from 8 different countries, the two-time World Rally (WRC) champion Kalle Rovanpera will also take part in several rounds of the Benelux Championship this year.
Photo: Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux
“This will be the first sprint race with the Porsche 911 GT3 CUP car outside the Northern European region, so there are very interesting feelings before the stage. On the one hand, we are happy that we have come this far and made a big step up, but on the other hand, of course, there is a little excitement, because it is a completely new championship, new drivers, a different level. Speaking of the Spa track, I have thoroughly prepared in the simulator and I can’t wait for the moment when I go to the track in real life. Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of being able to drive on this legendary track, now I will make this dream come true, at the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 CUP,” he does not hide his excitement for the first stage and the legendary Spa-Francorchamps track Walter the Swede.
The Latvian racing driver admits that “in terms of driving, there are a few nuances that still need to be worked on, but I believe that I will be able to deal with it in the free training sessions. At the moment, it is still difficult to predict anything about the positions, because the drivers are of a very high caliber, but I will definitely give everything and fight for the top places. Many thanks must go to the supporters Baltija Sporta Auto – Porsche Latvija, Optibet Latvija, Industry Service Partner, Jūrmala, Blue Shock Race, Joker Club, Energolukss, I-Con and SIA “Dārta”. , which made it possible to take this big step forward, so that we can show that Latvians are also able to compete at the European level with “Porsche”. I’m also happy that my family and friends will be going to Belgium with me, whose support has always been important to me, and I’m also grateful for every fan who follows from afar”.
In conclusion, the Swede mentions that “it’s exciting that the competition is taking place together with the FIA WEC. This will open up a wider view of world-class motorsport for us, as well as allow us to draw inspiration and motivation from the stars who drive there, in order to strive for the fact that in the future, in the role of a factory pilot, he himself could compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and other legendary endurance competitions”.
Photo: Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux
Already today, May 9, the Swede is conducting free practice, followed by qualifying and the 1st race on Friday, while the weekend will end with the 2nd race on Saturday morning. Considering that the “Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux” will take place within the framework of the 6-hour race of the FIA World Endurance Championship, the Spa-Francorchamps circuit will have a proper festival atmosphere. It should be noted that 14 former F1 drivers, such as 2009 champion Jenson Button, as well as Mick Schumacher, Robert Kubica and Antonio Giovinazzi, who started in F1 relatively recently, will compete in the “Hypercar” class of the FIA WEC series. Also, in the “LMGT3” class, the motor-road legend Valentino Rossi, who has successfully proven himself in road races in recent years, will be behind the wheel.
Both races will be available to watch on the “Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux” YouTube channel. The start of the first race is scheduled for Friday, May 10, at 17:30 Latvian time, while the second race will be held on Saturday, May 11, at 11:30. You can follow Walter’s progress on social networks www.instagram.com/valters.zviedris/ and www.facebook.com/valters.zviedris. More information about Sweden’s motorsport achievements so far is available on the pilot’s website www.valterszviedris.com/.
Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux round 1 program (Latvian time):
Friday, May 10
10:05 – qualification
17:30 – 1st trip – LIVE STREAM
Saturday, May 11
Information prepared by:
Arthur Virbulis
