Radical show for spectators at Zandvoort
17-10-2011
In front of some 18.000 spectators attending the Final Race Festival at Zandvoort Yelmer made a spectacular guest appearance in the Dutch Radical Cup. It was an invitation of Toon van de Harterd in who’s car Yelmer was the fastest man on the track.
It is long ago since Yelmer took on Junior Strous in the Formula Renault 2000 Series in Holland, as race fans will remember. Soon after their ways separated. Strous moved across the ocean to prove his luck in the USA but returned after a couple of years to participate in the Radical Cup, becoming the man to beat. Meanwhile Yelmers career developed via Formula 3 into the Superleague Formula. Last weekend the two met again on the illustrious track in the Dunes. Yelmer was in top form as he showed by claiming pole-position with half a second over second fastest Junior Strous. But Yelmer didn’t win both races, being partnered to Toon van de Haterd who, logically, couldn’t match Yelmer’s ferocious pace. “I haven’t raced for six years and then a Radical is not exactly an easy car for your come-back”, Van den Haterd explained the difference. Yelmer underlined his skills by clocking fastest laps in both races. In the second one they even ended on the podium. Thanks to a strong first stint of starting driver Van den Haterd, who handed over the car to Yelmer in fourth spot. Yelmer then battled it out with Marc Koster, passing the regular Radical-driver with 3 laps to go. “What a fantastic car. It feels more like a single seater. And it’s bloody fast with a huge amount of down-force. This was sheer fun”, Yelmer laughed, carrying his 3rd place trophy.
