Originally set to compete in the CrossCar category, Nathan Ottink will instead make his Supercar Lites debut this weekend on home soil in Valkenswaard, as part of the opening round of the RallyX South championship. A challenge that appears unlikely to trouble the Dutch driver.

Crowned European Autocross champion in the Junior Buggy category in 2024, Ottink had already made a strong impression last year during his first outings in rallycross behind the wheel of a Ford Focus owned by fellow countryman Bart Bel.

A steady rise that now continues through an opportunity that is as unexpected as it is strategic.

“My presence in Supercar Lites this weekend is definitely a surprise,” Ottink admits.

“Everything came together quite recently. We had a lot of discussions with Andreas Eriksson, who wanted me to step into this category, and over the course of those talks we reached an agreement and decided to go for it in Supercar Lites.”

Used to the high-angle slides of the Buggy 1600 class in the European Autocross Championship, the local driver knows he will need to adjust his driving style accordingly this weekend.

“It will definitely be different from what I’m used to. The layout is quite similar to an autocross buggy, with the engine and gearbox at the rear, but the driving style is completely different. You have to be much cleaner, more precise, especially on asphalt. You need to adapt and avoid being overly aggressive, as you might be in autocross.”

“Still, I learned a lot last year with Bart Bel’s Ford Focus Supercar, so this transition to Supercar Lites doesn’t present any real difficulty for me. We tested last weekend in Glosso, and everything went well, with no major issues. That allows me to approach this race with confidence.”

While the idea of maintaining his CrossCar entry alongside this Supercar Lites appearance did cross his mind, Ottink ultimately opted for a more measured approach.

“We decided to focus solely on Supercar Lites this weekend. We considered combining it with cross car, but it seemed more sensible to concentrate on one programme and get the most out of it. As for the rest of the season, everything will depend on how this weekend goes. If things go well, it could open the door to further opportunities in Supercar Lites. But for now, nothing has been decided.”

Beyond this rallycross outing, however, his main objective remains clearly defined.

“This season, the main focus is the European Autocross Championship in Buggy 1600. That’s our priority. The goal is to fight for the title. But the level is extremely high, with ten to fifteen drivers capable of winning. That’s what makes the championship so interesting. We’ll also need a bit of luck. We’ll see how the season unfolds.”

As he prepares to race in front of his home crowd this weekend, Ottink appears largely unfazed by the occasion.

“Racing in the Netherlands always means something special. There’s always a desire to perform well in front of your home fans. But at the same time, this is my first experience in this category, so there are no excessive expectations. The approach remains measured. The start will probably be one of the key factors this weekend. The performance level is very close between the cars, which makes it difficult to create gaps in the opening metres. You have to be immediately effective.”