The sport’s best line up for the 7th Ypres Historic Regularity

Club Superstage concludes its season this weekend with the 7th edition of the Ypres Historic Regularity. It is known for its difficulty, fast pace and, above all, the challenging courses in the Westhoek region. A place where the world’s best rally drivers have already demonstrated their skills. All this has earnt this event international acclaim.

With 54 teams, the starting list is particularly strong. Teams from France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland, Switzerland, and of course, Belgium are competing. It’s easy to say that the field suggests a strong international appeal. Moreover, all the top drivers are present, as all the winners of the previous six editions are at the start.

Yves Deflandre and Yves Noelanders, recent winners of the Tour de Corse Historique and three-times winners of the Ypres Historic Regularity (out of the six events held), are naturally the favourites. Michel Decremer, former winner of the Monte-Carlo Historique and second-place finisher last year, is aiming to climb the podium once again, alongside Jennifer Hugo. Ruben Maes, winner in 2019 alongside Michel Périn, and Anton Dupan, the navigator who guided Guino Kenis to victory in 2021, are teaming up to take the win with their Porsche 914. Christophe Baillet, winner in 2023 lost his chance last year after sliding off in his Escort and damaging the suspension. The Frenchman is undoubtedly eager for revenge with Jean-Marc Piret alongside.

They are not the only regularity specialists at the start. Geert and Cédric De Jaeger (Porsche 911), Johnny Delhez and Baptiste Gengoux (Ford Escort), Michaël Demortier and Valentin Charlet (Porsche 924S), Vincent and Amy Vandeputte (BMW 320i), Dirk Van Rompuy and Pablo Cracco (Porsche 911), Mario Varrewaere and Bjorn Buyse (Nissan Sunny GTi), Gaëtan Van Calster and Filip Deplancke (Porsche 911), Willy Lux and Patrick Lienne (Lancia Fulvia HF), Patrick Van Remoortel and Bjorn Clauw (Apal Coupé), and Gilles Bailly with Stéphane Heymans (Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evo1) are all podium contenders and will pounce on any mistake of those ahead.

It all kicks off Friday evening with nine regularity-stages in the dark, including two sections on the closed road stage of Boezinge (6:55 p.m. and 9:50 p.m.), where a service stop will be made in the charming village centre. There are several new RTs on the program that evening and two classics that were seen in the first edition of the Ypres Historic Regularity. At around 10:45 p.m., the participants will return to the closed car park in Ypres via the Menin Gate.

On Saturday, the Closed Road Stage of Mesen opens the second stage, which this time will be held entirely in the Westhoek region. In the morning, two CRS of Mesen stages will be held (8:56 a.m. and 10:36 a.m.), with a regrouping session at 12:10 p.m. on the Markt in Nieuwkerke. The afternoon will be challenging with three secret regularity stages. At 4:30 p.m., the second stage concludes on the podium in Ypres, after which, just like last year, the top 10 will be able to choose their starting position in the cozy winter bar.

As is tradition, the final day opens very early on Sunday with an Early Bird Stage, which will be shorter this time, but no less challenging. This will be followed by a stage with several new RTs, so that teams with less course knowledge and ensuring that the top places can still change hands.

Fans who want to follow the Ypres Historic Regularity will be able to find the spectator points and schedule this week on the website www.clubsuperstage.com.

Rankings Ypres Historic Regularity

2018

1. Deflandre-Noelanders

2. Berteloot-Wante

3. Piraux-Monard

2019

1. Maes-Perin

2. Decremer-Lienne

3. Deflandre-Noelanders

2021

1. Kenis-Dupan

2. Piraux-Monard