In addition to Dutchman Bart Bel, who took the second step on the podium in Race 2 in Buxtehude, Belgian driver Yorick Maeyninckx was also in the spotlight at the wheel of his Volvo 240, securing two qualifications for a final and finishing the weekend in third place during the final stage of the 2024 season.
For the Belgian championship regular, the visit of the RallyX championship to Buxtehude was an opportunity not to be missed, and it has to be said that the 25-year-old was right to follow his instincts.
“Obviously, when you get the chance to compete against Simon Tiger, Viktor Johansson and all the other RallyX drivers, it’s a challenge you can’t refuse,’ says Yorick.
“In the Belgian championship I’m used to compete against Kristof Bex, but in the RallyX championship the level of competition is much higher.”
Having been immersed in the devilish atmosphere of the European Rallycross Championship since childhood, Yorick took up the historic colours of a certain Mats Öhman when he drove the former Ludvig Hunsbedt Volvo S40 Supercar.
“I didn’t have the opportunity to show Mats the colours of my car, but when I was younger and used to go to rallycross races in Sweden, Mats Öhman was one of my favourite drivers. So this design is a way of paying tribute to him, as he has always been a real source of inspiration for me.”
One thing is for sure, the driver of the Volvo 240 has not disappointed during his time in the RallyX championship. In addition to a podium finish in Race 2 in Germany, Yorick Maeyninckx scored no less than five top 5 finishes in the six qualifying rounds he took part in.
“I had a really great RallyX experience. The atmosphere in the paddock is unique and the fans are incredible. Of course there’s more travelling involved, but just to be able to compete for a whole season would be a dream come true for me. To be honest, I really surprised myself in Estering. As I said, my only real opponent in the Belgian championship is Kristof Bex, so when I arrived in Buxtehude I had no idea of my true potential. The fight in the first corner was tough in Buxtehude, but I knew it would be like that but I’m happy with what I’ve been able to show in this championship.”
