A key figure in rallycross across Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, Yorick Maeyninckx has used the past two seasons to firmly establish his reputation on the RallyX stage.

Since joining RallyX at the end of 2024, Maeyninckx has already claimed two career podiums, including a landmark victory secured in April 2025 during Race 1 at Valkenswaard. This season, the Belgian driver will contest the full RallyX South calendar, lining up at every round of the championship.

A full-season commitment that underlines the ambition of the 26-year-old, now determined to establish himself as a permanent reference in the Open 2WD category.

After stacking up national titles in both Belgium and Germany, Maeyninckx approaches this new campaign with undiminished motivation, carried by a fully reworked technical project centred around his iconic and spectacular Volvo 242.

“We’re heading into this season with a lot of confidence,” Yorick explains.

“Of course, we’re introducing a completely new concept, and the results will depend on how everything comes together. But we fully believe in this project and in the exceptional team surrounding The Mean Machine . I’m convinced it will work.”

Beyond the sporting challenge, this full-time RallyX South programme also relies on key support, which Maeyninckx is keen to highlight.

“If I’m able to contest the entire RallyX South championship this season, it’s above all thanks to Ariane Vanlommel. This programme exists primarily because of her. What really attracts me to RallyX is the impressive number of competitors and the diversity of circuits. The championship also remains very true to the spirit of rallycross, as it should be.”

A highly competitive environment that continues to push the Belgian driver to raise his level, particularly against strong opposition in the Open 2WD category.

“For us, it’s a source of pride to have achieved such results in RallyX, but we’ve worked extremely hard to get to where we are today. Being able to measure ourselves against the best drivers in the Open 2WD category is an incredible feeling.”

The 2025 season will remain a pivotal chapter in Maeyninckx’s progression, even if he is fully aware that it could have yielded more. Second in the intermediate classification during Race 1 at Estering, he ultimately had to settle for sixth place in the final. The following day told a similar story, as a third-place qualifying result did not translate into a podium finish that seemed well within reach.

“I’m very satisfied with my 2025 season, highlighted by a great RallyX victory at Valkenswaard. There were also other strong results, but unfortunately a bit of bad luck prevented that from being fully reflected in the final standings.”

To take the next step, the team has opted for a major technical evolution. While the Volvo had already impressed with its effectiveness, Maeyninckx decided to raise the bar further over the winter.

“The handling and reliability of the Volvo are really excellent. Its only weak point was engine power. Over the past two years, we were running with an output of around 350 to 360 horsepower. That’s why we decided this season to switch to a turbo engine, developed by Duxe Engine Works. It will be a Honda K20 producing over 500 horsepower.”

A technical choice inspired by the very nature of the RallyX championship, renowned for its freedom and creativity in technical development.

“When you walk through the paddock, you constantly come across impressive engineering solutions. That clearly inspired us to integrate new ideas into our own cars. The technical freedom offered by the championship is also a real strength. Where other disciplines are very restrictive, here the possibilities are almost unlimited. That’s what makes the project so exciting from a technical point of view.”

Despite these ambitions and a promising new package, Yorick Maeyninckx approaches the season with a measured mindset, fully aware of the work that still lies ahead.

“My expectations for this season are deliberately modest. We’ve designed a completely new concept around the Volvo, so I’m expecting a year of development and learning. That said, I’m really looking forward to seeing how it all comes together, and above all to enjoying the atmosphere of the championship and discovering new rallycross circuits with the team.”