The Bernard Degroote Monteberg Rally is increasingly becoming a true dress rehearsal for the Ardeca Ypres Rally. Its fast and twisty stages, carved into the narrow roads of the stunning Westhoek, continue to attract more and more top drivers to Poperinge. It’s the perfect battleground to measure up against local specialists ahead of the big showdown at the end of June in Ypres.
This 54th edition boasts a full house with 150 crews at the start and, above all, an exceptionally strong field featuring both national and international stars.
Following his heavy crash at the Rallye de Wallonie last week—and especially the ankle injury of his co-driver Renaud Jamoul—Belgian champion Jos Verstappen has withdrawn. However, a last-minute twist sees former Junior World Champion and WRC factory driver Stéphane Lefebvre headline the event, once again partnered by Pieter Tsjoen, just like in Haspengouw. The Frenchman, a two-time consecutive winner in Ypres, is keen to fine-tune his preparation.
He will go head-to-head with Grégoire Munster, who has represented M-Sport in the WRC in recent seasons. Munster lines up with Diederik Pattyn in a Hyundai i20 N Rally2. It remains to be seen whether his WRC experience will be enough to challenge Lefebvre. Youngster Thomas Martens, for the first time co-driven by Tom Buyse, will be Munster’s teammate at the BMA team. Earlier this season, Munster coached Martens in Haspengouw—this time, they’ll battle it out on equal terms. Two more Hyundais join the field, led by Erik Cais—keen to showcase MRF Tyres—and compatriot Matej Manderla.
On home soil, Bjorn Syx will be aiming to take on the front-runners and secure a third Monteberg victory. Attention will also be on Christophe Merlevede, who will debut the brand-new Lancia Ypsilon HF Rally2—the latest weapon from Stellantis Motorsport—as he builds mileage ahead of Ypres.
The next generation is well represented by Jonas Dewilde, a two-time Junior champion determined to reach the finish this time in his Citroën C3 Rally2. Gilles Pyck will also be targeting a strong result at home, opting for the eye-catching Porsche 992 Rally GT.
Dutch contenders Richard Pex and Roger Hodenius will be flying the flag at the front, while the Jasper brothers (Clio Rally3) and Jim Van den Heuvel (Historic Mitsubishi Lancer Evo3) could mix it up just behind the Rally2 pack.
Among the challengers, Stéve Bécaert and Etienne Verbeke bring Skoda Fabia R5 machinery, while “Master” Jimmy D’hondt prepares for Ypres in a C3 Rally2. A useful benchmark for Martin van Iersel, who has also switched to Citroën this season.
The Historic category promises just as much spectacle, highlighted by a prestige duel between Paul Lietaer in a Subaru Impreza WRC S5 and Pieter-Jan Maeyaert in his iconic BMW M3 E30, prepared by MATS. A perfect preview of the FIA European Historic Rally Championship battle in Ypres. Cedriek Merlevede, Vincent Verschueren (Ford Escort RS) and Coen Vink (Ford Sierra Cosworth) are also ones to watch.
In the Porsche ranks, Kurt Boone stands out as the man to beat with his Porsche 997 GT3, alongside Frederique Delplacein a similar car. Wim Meulders, John Dewilde and Laury Callens (using PJM Cracco’s car) go for the impressive 992 Rally GT.
Behind the Peugeot 208 Rally4 of Manuel Merlevede, an interesting group of Clio Rally3 contenders lines up, including Olivier Decoene, Stefaan Crombez and Dutch champion Willem-Wouter Overbeek.
All eyes on Sunday, May 3rd in Poperinge for the 54th Bernard Degroote Monteberg Rally, featuring 11 special stages and 130 km against the clock.
Fans can already get into the rally spirit on Friday, May 1st from 4pm at Worldkarts Poperinge, where around 25 teams will present their cars.
