After making two appearances in the RallyX Championship in 2024, Martjin Vanhove is set to step up his commitment in 2026 as he increases his involvement at this level of competition.
Previously focused on the Belgian and Dutch national championships, the 2023 Belgian Vice-Champion has decided to move up a gear by entering his BMW M1 in the full RallyX South campaign.
This commitment marks a turning point in the Belgian driver’s career.
“This season, I’ve chosen to focus on the RallyX South championship,” Vanhove explains.
“It’s a rapidly growing series, highly competitive, with a particularly strong level. It’s exactly the kind of environment that allows me to keep progressing as a driver. The circuits and the organisation also match perfectly what I’m looking for, which makes this a natural choice.”
Beyond the commitment itself, it is the level of competition in the Open 2WD category that is driving this step forward.
“The level of competition in Open 2WD is exactly what attracts me. Nowadays, you have to be flawless in every detail to fight at the front. It’s both demanding and very motivating. I’m obviously expecting a learning phase, but also to gradually close the gap to the front-runners.”
To support this ambition, significant work has been carried out over the winter, with particular attention paid to the technical development of the BMW M1, designed and built in-house by the team.
“We worked extensively on the car over the winter, with a strong focus on reliability and chassis balance. Several upgrades were made to the suspension and setup to optimise performance in a variety of conditions. This project also has a special meaning for us, as the car was entirely designed and built by our team. It’s a real source of pride. We also made an interesting technical choice with a gearbox mounted at the rear, between the wheels, while the engine is positioned at the front. This improves weight distribution and directly contributes to the car’s overall performance.”
The power unit is another key element of the project, with carefully considered technical choices.
“The engine obviously plays a crucial role. This season, we’ve chosen a package that offers a good balance between performance and reliability. Power levels will always depend on the setup, but we clearly expect to take a step forward compared to last year. We’re using a 2-litre turbo Honda engine, so we should have some strong cards to play. The real challenge will be to make the most of that power.”
In a championship where every detail can make the difference, winter preparation is a decisive factor.
“The work done during the off-season is fundamental. In such a competitive championship, the difference is often made before the season even begins. Arriving well-prepared helps reduce the gap to the front and gives us the tools to be on the pace straight away.”
The next step is to turn that work into results, in an environment where consistency will be key.
“The biggest challenge will be to stay consistent across all circuits. The level is very high, and the smallest mistake is immediately punished. We’ll also need to adapt quickly to different conditions and the specific characteristics of each track.”
On a personal level, the Belgian driver is continuing to refine his approach and maximise every opportunity on track.
“As a driver, I’m constantly working on my consistency and precision. Maximising every lap and making the right decisions in races are areas where I can still improve. Collaboration with the team and working on the car setup remain essential elements.”
This step forward is part of a longer-term development approach, without rushing the process.
“The main objective this season is to gain experience in the championship and progress step by step towards the top of the standings. Of course, we want to be competitive and achieve strong results, but the priority is clearly to keep improving.”