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Rain, sun and wind – every weather condition imaginable greeted the Autovisie Caterham Academy Holland grid for its first event at the historic Zandvoort circuit on Saturday [5th April].  However, the novice drivers rose to the challenge admirably and despite the close racing and the difficult track conditions, all completed both races completely intact.

Having completed their race licence course and first practice days at Zandvoort, familiarity came as some comfort to the inaugural Academy Holland gird.  Race 1 was dominated by the black JPE liveried car of Ed Weerensteijn, who broke away from the pursuing pack on the first lap and maintained a blistering pace, leaving the squabbles over the lower positions well behind to take a comfortable win.  Autovisie editor Ralf Dennissen followed in second, trailed by David Hannewijk.

Following a brief, but heavy shower, the cars would start Race 2 in full wet conditions, though these would dry rapidly during the course of the race.  A mistake by pre-race favourite Weerensteijn at the start dropped him well down the field by the completion of the first lap.  At the front of the pack, the identical blue ‘Masterlease’ cars of Toon Rutgers and Daniël Spikker arrived on the start/finish straight side by side, lap after lap.  Position for each lap was decided by outbraking and slithering into the infamous Tarzan hairpin.  Unfortunately for Daniël, the continual pressure became too much and a mistake in the back part of the circuit resulted in him spinning into forth.  Meanwhile, both Ed Weerensteijn and Ralf Dennissen were on a charge – Weerensteijn homing in on Dennissen and the latter looking to reel in Rutgers, now firmly in the lead.  Once again it would be Ed who would come out on top, catching Ralf in the closing stages.  However, Toon kept his concentration and would take the chequered flag ahead of Ed, whose brilliant recovery drive was rewarded at the expense of Ralf who was demoted to third.

Simon Lambert, Commercial Manager for Caterham Motorsport hailed the day a success.  “This is our first Academy event in Holland and the drivers faces say it all.  It’s been a great day and everyone has had a fantastic time.  Mart van der Kooi and the Caterham Holland team at Van Der Kooi Sportscars, have put together an excellent package and supported the drivers perfectly today.  I look forward to seeing more action in the future!”

Standings after Rounds 1 & 2

1. Ed Weerensteijn
2. Ralf Dennissen
3. David Hannewijk
4. Daniël Spikker
5. Toon Rutgers
6. Frits Offerman
7. Marcel Hoondert
8. Mischa Strijder
9. Bertwin Zonneveld
10. Jeroen van den Oever
11. Maarten Fijan

For more information regarding Caterham Academy Holland, contact Van Der Kooi Sportscars via mart@caterhamacademy.nl   More information and reports from Zandvoort can be found at:

www.caterhamacademy.nl
http://www.autovisie.nl/caterham/
http://www.autovisie.nl/nieuws/weblog/ik-mag-niet-snijden-rd-1/index.xml