The 2025 Ypres Rally featured an exceptionally strong entry list, highlighted by the presence of former World Rally Championship driver Dani Sordo behind the wheel of a 911 Rally GT. The Spaniard was there to get acquainted with the new car, spending the weekend with the same machinery as Cédric Cherain, Patrick Snijers, and Glenn Janssens.
An intense battle in the RGT class quickly turned into a dominant performance at the top of the overall standings for Dani Sordo and Cédric Cherain. When asked whether the 911 Rally GT could compete with Rally2 cars on the Westhoek stages, the answer came swiftly: Sordo set two overall fastest times in ES3 and ES4, while in the Langemark 1 sector, Cherain secured the first double for Lionel Hansen and Yves Matton’s Motorsport Activities team.
On Saturday’s stage, Sordo and Cherain once again raised the bar in ES10 Watou 1, claiming another double that they repeated on the second pass. Add another fastest time for Sordo in the rally’s final stage, and the result was a very solid performance: 4th place overall for Dani Sordo and Patricia Saiz Ruiloba, and 6th for Cédric Cherain and Damien Withers, who lost a little time due to a half-spin—their only minor mistake of the weekend. Patrick Snijers and Davy Thierie on one hand, and Glenn Janssens and Stéphane Prévot on the other, also successfully completed this high-level 2025 Ypres Rally.
“Four cars started, four cars finished, with top performances including fastest times and even double victories—the mission is thoroughly accomplished,” said Lionel Hansen, responsible for the technical side of the project. “Let us remember that Dani Sordo had never driven the car before arriving in Westhoek. After a test session and a shakedown, he quickly got to grips with the car, and his highly professional approach allowed him to consistently push forward. The results speak for themselves. As for Cédric Cherain, he followed all instructions, finding in Sordo the perfect source of inspiration. Congratulations also to Patrick Snijers and Glenn Janssens, who ensured that all four 911 Rally GTs at Ypres crossed the finish line in style!”
While summer can sometimes mean a break for some, it won’t be the case for the 911 Rally GTs, which will be back in action next weekend at the 2025 Rallye Charlemagne Golden Palace in northern France. Cédric Cherain and Damien Withers, as well as Steve Fernandes and Hugo Cravillon, will aim to shine on the stages against high-profile and eclectic competition, including Sébastien Loeb as the headline act.
The FS-Sport team will also be present with two cars at the start of the Rallye Lëtzebuerg the following weekend, while the 911 Rally GT will also appear in an event in the Netherlands, in addition to test and development sessions in France and Poland. Two cars will also be on display at the popular Eifel Rallye Festival.
“The milestone of 10 911 Rally GTs has now been reached, with five cars already competing and five more under construction,” said Yves Matton, responsible for the sporting side of Motorsport Activities. “It is possible to purchase the car ready to race or as a kit to assemble. The 911 Rally GT used by Dani Sordo at Ypres will, in fact, be put up for sale. As for the RGT Cup, which will be organized in 2026 as part of the Belgian Rally Championship, it is taking shape and clearly generating excitement. More information on this will be shared in the autumn.”
