Good motorsport debut for Pim Speelman after win in Swift Challenge

Pim Speelman made his debut in motorsport during the Paasraces at Circuit Park Zandvoort. The 19-year-old from Groningen won a ticket to participate in the Formido Swift Cup by winning the class's talent search. The talented driver left hundreds of competitors behind. The reward was participation in the season opener at the Dutch dune circuit with an older-model Swift. Speelman, who was still active in the GK4 Kart Series last year, immediately showed his talent by driving to the podium twice.

The Suzuki Swift Challenge gave Speelman the opportunity to make the step into motorsport. How did that process go? “The qualification took place on eight indoor kart tracks. I qualified via Nijverdal,” Speelman recalled. “The semi-final took place at Coronel Karting in Huizen. The winners were allowed to go to Circuit Park Zandvoort for the final. That consisted of a slalom driving skill test, an interview with the organization, and a fitness test. The six best participants received extensive media training and had to complete another significant slalom test. Ultimately, I was chosen as the winner. I was very happy about that!

“The challenge is big because there was little time to prepare for the season opener. A month ago I won the Suzuki Swift Challenge and with the Paasraces I was on the starting grid. A week before that event I got my racing license so I couldn't do many test kilometers. Still, it was a good weekend that I can look back on with great satisfaction.”

Free practice sessions took place on Friday: “I couldn't drive very much, only ten laps because we suffered from heavy snow showers! On Saturday, another practice session and qualifying were on the program. It got better every lap and in qualifying everything fell into place: I took pole position for the older models!”

On Monday morning, Easter Monday, Speelman experienced his baptism of fire: “The race started at 09:00, really super early! Still, I was wide awake and sharp. I got away well at the start but got into trouble in the first corner when I had to avoid another driver and lost many places. After fast lap times and good duels, I finished sixth in my class. In the second race, I started on pole again. Ronald Morien had a flying start and passed me, but later in the race, I overtook him on the outside in the Tarzanbocht. I then fought the entire race with Max Braams for the lead, but due to an oil flag, it was difficult for me to assess the track conditions. As a result, Niels Kool was able to catch up with us and he passed me. Unfortunately no victory, but I would have gladly signed up for a podium spot in my second race!”

“In the third race, I could really enjoy the spectacle. It was a hectic race where several drivers went off track. I was in third place for a long time but passed number 2 in the final phase, so once again I was allowed to go to the podium in second place. It's great to be able to compete at this level. I hadn't expected to go home with two podium finishes! Now we are looking for sponsors to continue the progress towards the Pinksterraces.”

“I would like to thank the following sponsors and people: Zaanse Autocenter, Hydropro, Martini Reclamemakers, Shortlease Direct, and I would also like to thank Formido, Suzuki, Circuit Park Zandvoort, and Alex van Eijk's OAK Motorsport team for the unforgettable weekend during the Paasraces at Zandvoort.“