Alternating between classic and contemporary racing machines since various seasons, Eric De Doncker is back in action in 2017… and the season promises to be heavy! As defending Group C Racing Champion he was recently back on track at the wheel of the awesome Spice SE90C in Francorchamps for the initial tests of the year, and De Doncker intends varying his racing enjoyment …as also the muscle cars throughout the year …µ
“Similar to last year, I will be back at the wheel of the Spice in Group C Racing, for a partial championship, as also in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series with the Mustang #98, for the opening round at Valencia, in Spain, and the final in Zolder, the driver confirmed. Which implies that in 2017, with my Motorsport 98 team, we decided –somewhat belatedly – to take on another large scale challenge …”
During the recent test session with the Spice SE90 at Francorchamps Eric De Doncker had the opportunity to appreciate the qualities of a Ligier JS P3 he came upon in the same stand. Following several conversations, contact was made with Richard Dean, who takes care of the car’s distribution in England … and the decision to compete in the Michelin Le Mans Cup materialised after just a few days!
“Motorsport 98 has in fact decided to acquire a Ligier JS P3, and to enter it in a Michelin Le Mans Cup tailored to gentlemen-drivers, Eric De Doncker continued. If on the one hand I will most probably miss out on the Collective Test Session in Portimao, we will replace that with a private session on an English circuit, as soon as we are in possession of the car. On the other hand, everything will be sorted for the kick-off of the Michelin Le Mans Cup on the 13th of May at Monza!”
What appeals to Eric De Doncker and Motorsport 98, is the Michelin Le Mans Cup 2017 calendar, with notably a second round scheduled … as curtain-raiser of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, on the La Sarthe circuit, in front of packed grandstands! A circuit the Belgian driver knows well having proved himself there – and having missed out on victory by a fraction – in the most recent edition of the Le Mans Classic. “After Monza and Le Mans, we will head off for the Austrian Red Bull Ring (22/07), followed by the Circuit Paul Ricard (26/08), prior to the meeting at Spa-Francorchamps, as curtain raiser of the European Le Mans Series (23/09). As for the final round this will take place at Portimao, in Portugal (21/10).”
Worth remembering that the Michelin Le Mans Cup is aimed at cars in the LM P3 and GT3 categories, acting as the perfect stepping stone towards the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) and World Endurance Championship (WEC), the flagship endurance disciplines. Good news often comes in pairs; Eric De Doncker has come to an agreement with the fast Brit Andy Meyrick, former works Aston Martin Racing driver in Endurance and Bentley M-Sport in GT. The perfect ingredients to create a particularly complementary duo in the Michelin Le Mans Cup.
“In all this should give us a dozen race weekends this season, which brings about a fair amount of work for the Motorsport 98 crew, of which Julien Daivier and our new track and data engineer Edouard Carton, not forgetting Cath, who permanently mollycoddles the team, De Doncker commented, who could not wait to get behind the wheel for the next race. For sure the rhythm will be maintained, but the passion of racing and the new Michelin Le Mans Cup are likely to boost everyone … “ Time for action!
