Following the spectacular opening round of the 2026 Porsche Rally Trophy Benelux at the Rally of Wallonia, the promoters of the championship for the 911 GT3 Cup fitted with the Rally GT Kit can announce a record entry for the Ypres Rally, which serves as rounds three and four of the championship. No fewer than eleven Porsches are expected to tackle the special stages in West Flanders…
“Although the Porsche Rally Trophy Benelux is still a very young one-make series, as we are only contesting the second event of the season, both the quantity and the quality of the field are already impressive,” said Series Manager Yves Matton. “Not only have we managed to gather eleven 911 GT3 Cup cars with the Rally GT Kit, but we also welcome true national and international benchmarks such as Kris Meeke and Cédric Cherain behind the wheel, two drivers who will undoubtedly play a major role in the overall classification. Given their achievements – including a national title within the past five seasons – they are not eligible to score points or prize money in the Porsche Rally Trophy Benelux. They will, however, be fully integrated into the competition and will also enjoy access to the Trophy Hospitality.”
As previously announced, well-known Martinique driver Simon Jean-Joseph will also line up in Ypres with a Porsche. However, it will not be exactly the same car as those entered in the Porsche Rally Trophy Benelux…
“Simon will drive car #0, which will exceptionally carry the number #911,” explained Lionel Hansen, who is responsible for the technical development of the Rally GT Kit. “These will be the first public kilometres for the 911 GT3 Cup equipped with the Gen2 Rally GT Kit, scheduled for introduction in 2027. Alongside a refreshed design, we have worked on several areas to further optimise the car for teams while retaining the current homologation sheet. Following initial testing in France, the goal is naturally to continue the development on the unique special stages around Ypres. That process is ongoing and remains our full focus. Fans will have the opportunity to discover this exciting new development in Ypres.”
Strong competition awaits!
Current Porsche Rally Trophy Benelux leader Romain Delhez will be on the start line in Ypres, a rally he has entered only once before, back in 2016, when his participation was cut short.
Among his rivals will be Loïc Pirot, who is eager to put behind him the run of bad luck that affected him during the stages in Namur. For the Luxembourg Province driver, it will be his first appearance at the Ypres Rally.
John Wartique is another newcomer to the Porsche Rally Trophy Benelux, although he already completed three rallies last year in a 911 Rally GT. His objective is to score as many points as possible and head into the second half of the season with confidence.
Former Junior World Rally Champion Quentin Gilbert, who recently finished fifth overall at the Rallye Vosges Grand Est, where he was second in the GT category behind Raphaël Astier, is expected to set a strong pace in only his second rally with Porsche. Unlike some of the invited stars, Gilbert is eligible to score points in the Porsche Rally Trophy Benelux. He previously competed in the Ypres Rally in 2012.
As expected, these French-speaking competitors will be joined by several Dutch-speaking drivers eager to seize the opportunity to contest the Ypres Rally under excellent conditions.
In the Masters category, reserved for drivers over fifty years of age, Wim Meulders will make his Ypres debut as he looks to rebuild confidence following an off-road excursion during a regional rally. Joining him will be John De Wilde, who is primarily looking forward to enjoying his first experience of the event at the highest level.
These two gentleman drivers are well known within Porsche competition in Belgium, albeit on the circuit. They will also face Glenn Janssens, for whom Ypres represents a major objective together with his partners. Janssens has been racing Porsches for several seasons and is keen to measure himself against exceptionally strong competition.
Last but certainly not least, Melissa Debackere was determined to contest the West Flanders classic in a 911 GT3 Cup with Rally GT Kit, a car she discovered during a recent regional rally and immediately fell in love with. Her entry has now been officially confirmed. As Belgium’s fastest female rally driver to this day, her experience should allow her to make her mark against such a competitive field.
“This outstanding entry list is matched by the impressive line-up of teams present in Ypres,” continued Rudi Penders, whose Prospeed organisation manages the Porsche Rally Trophy Benelux. “Dekens Motorsport will field four cars for Meeke, Meulders, De Wilde and Janssens. EMO Sport will once again be split into two separate operations: EMO Sport 1 for Pirot and EMO Sport 2 for Gilbert and Wartique. RD Racing, together with RSR, will run Delhez’s Porsche. German outfit Motopark will prepare Cherain’s car, while Venturini Rallye Sport (VRS), the structure headed by Thomas Anacleto – whom we will therefore find on the other side of the pit wall – will be responsible for Melissa Debackere’s Porsche. Following the Rally of Wallonia, EMO Sport 2 also leads the Teams’ Championship.”
The 2026 Ypres Rally gets underway late on Friday, 26 June, and concludes on the evening of Saturday, 27 June. Last year, a 911 GT3 Cup with Rally GT Kit finished third overall in this traditional highlight of Belgian rallying, with Dani Sordo behind the wheel. As at the Rally of Wallonia, championship points for the Porsche Rally Trophy Benelux will be awarded after each leg of the Ypres Rally.
Standings before Ypres:
• Drivers: 1. Romain DELHEZ 61 – 2. Tom RENSONNET 42 – 3. Dylan HENRARD 32 – 4. Sébastien INCARDONNA 29 – 5. Loïc PIROT 14 – 6. Thomas ANACLETO 5.
• Teams: 1. EMO Sport 61 – 2. RD Racing 50 – 3. DEKENS MOTORSPORT 27 – 4. EMO SPORT 1 12.
