Portugal? Why not…

ERC round of Portugal questioned.

The race for the European Rallycross Championship and the lack of entries in the ERC event of Montalegre is not only in Portugal an item that is being discussed, but also on the Eurocircuit in Holland between spectators and drivers. The question raised is why there is such a low entry at Montalegre. Some ERC regulars present at the Dutch racing track spoke with the RallycrossWorld representative about this matter, about the low entry and why they are not racing in Portugal this weekend. Dutchman Jos Kuijpers says that he already decided in the middle of last year that he will only race in the 2011 events that he likes. “That will be eight of the ten races,” says Kuijpers. “Portugal and Poland are not on that list this year.” Kuijpers promised the Dutch organiser that he will drive the whole 2011 Dutch championship. “This date here clashes with the ERC round of Portugal.”

Former European TouringCar champion Jos Sterkens: “For me it is just too far away. Simple! From my home to Montalegre it is 2000 kilometers. It’s just too far to go. It takes too much time and it costs too much. It’s as simple as that!” Another former European champion, Ko Kasse, is also clear about not going to Montalegre. “Last year I drove in Montalegre. I said after the race to my wife that there is or was absolutely no atmosphere up and around the track. There is a low number of entries and it cost a lot of money to go there and it takes a lot of time. I will not race there anymore.” Another reason for Kasse not visiting the Portuguese racing track is the fact that his daughter Mandy is racing now. “We do as many races as we can. Besides the Dutch and Belgian events also as many as possible European events. But Portugal is not one of them.”

Dutchman Wil Teurlings: “Portugal? Too far away! Takes too much time, I can’t leave my business for five or six days.” The same reason counts for ERC regular Marcel Snoeijers: ”The national championship has my priority and Portugal is a long way from home.” Michaël De Keersmaecker is also racing at the Eurocircuit in a Volvo 242. “Just for the fun in the Volvo,” said De Keersmaecker. The reason for him not to race in Montalegre: “No time. It will take me a minimum of four days to go racing there, at the moment it’s very busy in our business. Sorry for Montalegre!”

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