The Historic Belgian Rally Championship has added a new crowd favourite. After his resounding victory in front of his own public in Ypres, Bjorn Syx showed off his steering skills in the ConXioN Omloop van Vlaanderen. Although Paul Lietaer went to the limit, the moustache had to acknowledge his superiority to the fast BMW driver.
After the forfeit of Guino Kenis, who had to drop out because the engine of his M3 was not ready in time, the opening night was plagued by a fierce rain shower in the closing stages. Ideal for the Sierra Cosworth 4×4 of Stefaan Stouf, who drove a great 7th time overall at the Zoning. Stouf was even faster there than leader Adrian Fernémont and Sébastien Bedoret, the eventual winner. That Canon time allowed the Nieuwpoort fishmonger to finish the opening night as leader, 13″9 ahead of Bjorn Syx. But, on Saturday morning, the reliability of the powerful Ford Sierra Cosworth failed yet again. This time, Stouf had to throw in the towel due to brake problems, shortly after Glenn Janssens pulled over his Porsche, also with technical problems.
Bjorn Syx took command, but Paul Lietaer did not give in just yet. The Mustache kept putting pressure and for a moment Syx seemed to succumb in Rumbeke, where he left 31″ due to a mistake. When he left another half-minute in Passendale, Lietaer came back to within 18″. Nevertheless, Bjorn Syx kept his cool to secure his second big win in a row in his BMW M3 E30 built by Mats van den Brand.
"Yes, Paul didn't give me this victory as a gift," laughed Bjorn Syx, who could put his car control from autocross to good use on the wet tests. "He kept pushing and I got myself into trouble with that little mistake in Rumbeke. The notes said it was slippery in that corner. I braked earlier, but still went into the corner a fraction too fast. We slid over the nose onto the gravel in a hedge. A stupid mistake. However, I was just driving my own rally, without doing anything crazy. I didn't think I could beat Paul Lietaer. I've stood along the stages as a spectator for 10 years and then you know that the "Polle" can always go the extra mile."
Paul Lietaer stranded in second place at barely 29″. "I had specially entered the Manta 400 to measure myself against Bjorn Syx. I have to admit that he is really fast, because I gave everything."
Danny Kerckhof was also very happy with his third place, close behind Lietaer, ahead of Dirk Deveux, who made the best case for the championship with his Ford Sierra Cosworth, in which Arthur Kerkhove remains leader. "More than 4th place was not in the cards for us today," said the Limburger, who was driven by the local specialists at almost 9 minutes.
Danny Vancoillie was very pleased with his fifth place ahead of German Schewe and Briton Proffitt. The Brit Clive King, by the way, was the fastest in the Mini Sport Cup, which paid tribute to the Mini Cooper, which is also celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, in this 60th ConXioN Omloop van Vlaanderen.
Photos
1. After two national races - and two wins - Bjorn Syx is already becoming the new crowd favourite. (BRC Media - Lorenz Lefere)
2. Paul Lietaer gave everything to put Syx under pressure but failed. 'The Moustache' remains the spectacle king after all. (BRC Media - Alexander Ramon)
3. Danny Kerckhof was happy with his third place. BRC Media - Tom Buyse)
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