Belgian Vice Prime Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne to co-drive in Ypres Rally

Tuur Vandenabeele and Vincent van Quickenborne, winners of the 2012 Ypres Historic Rally, won’t defend their title in the historic rally as they will take part in the IRC rally at the wheel of a VW Polo S2000. After claiming victory in last year’s Belgian Historic Championship, Tuur Vandenabeele looked for a new challenge in the S2000 class. Vincent Van Quickenborne will be Tuur’s co-driver, making him the first ever minister to participate in an IRC rally.

After a very successful 2011, with a first victory in the Ypres Historic Rally and overall victory in the Belgian Historic Championship, Tuur Vandenabeele decided to move to the S2000 class. In his first rallies in the VW Polo, Tuur claimed second place in the Haspengouw rally and third place in the TAC Rally in the S2000 class.

Vincent Van Quickenborne, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Pensions in the Belgian government, will be co-driving Tuur Vandenabeele. Van Quickenborne made his debut in 2008 and after claiming second place with Tuur in the 2008 Historic Rally, they wrote history when they won the historic rally in 2011. His participation in this year’s Geko Ypres Rally will make Van Quickenborne the first ever minister to start an IRC rally!

Rally Manager Alain Penasse is very happy to have Vandenabeele and Van Quickenborne at the start of the rally: "As their victory in last year’s historic rally proves, Tuur has perfect knowledge of the stages and the nature of this rally. They probably won’t be fighting for victory with the Polo, but I think they can aim for a top-15 finish. And it’s of course fantastic news to hear that our minister Vincent Van Quickenborne has found the time in his most probably hectic schedule, to participate again. I wish them the best of luck."

The Geko Ypres Rally takes place 22 and 23 June.