Recently, Zwischengas reported on the 24-hour race for ducks (2CV vehicles) in Spa. However, this exotic event is not the only one that is at home in the Ardennes. Once a year, and this since 1997, another exclusive event takes place on the track with the famous Eau Rouge depression, the 25-hour race called VW Fun Cup, which will take place this year from July 6 to 9, 2017.
20th anniversary with Jacky Ickx and his five children
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the organizers of the VW Fun Cup have recruited the most famous motorsport great from Belgium to take part. He is not starting as an addition to an existing team, he is starting himself with his own car and the co-drivers are all his sons and daughters.
Vanina Ickx (42 years old) is well known as a racing driver: she drove for Audi in the DTM in 2006 and 2007, and endurance racing fans know her as a starter in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where she has already competed seven times. She also raced with her father Jacky Ickx in the 1998 Spa 24 Hours.
Less active in motorsport is her sister Larissa Ickx (44 years old), she has had an artistic past so far, whether she is suitable as a driver will be seen at the 25-hour race...
The two sons Romain (25) and Clément (24) round off the team together with the youngest daughter Joy (22).
Motorsport for everyone
The VW Fun Cup was founded in 1997 by the three gentlemen J-G Mal-Voy, Pascal Witmeur and Franz Dubois with the intention of offering motorsport for everyone. With little money and simple technology, everyone should be able to get a taste of motorsport and drive for themselves. So the founders agreed on a single type of vehicle that everyone knows and is technically easy to understand: the VW Beetle.
Single or two-seater vehicles are permitted to compete in separate classes. The original purpose of the separation was quite simple: the founders wanted to be able to invite friends, customers and partners and take them for a spin during the 25-hour race. Those who want to compete for overall victory are more likely to start in a single-seater. It is therefore not surprising what the founders say when asked what the most important thing about the event is: "Fun!"
The event also attracts national and international personalities such as Jacky Ickx. Last year, for example, the famous Belgian tennis player Kirsten Flipkens (world number 13 in 2013) competed with her own team.
Season highlight the 25 hours
Like the FIA WEC, for example, the VW Fun Cup is a series of sprint races. The races are held not only at Spa-Francorchamps but also at Dijon, Zandvoort, Mettet and Zolder.
The highlight of the season is, of course, the 25-hour race in Spa. There is a lot on offer for visitors, as well as free entry. The pit lane is freely accessible, and there is also more free space than at other races during the starting grid. You can tell that some teams are not just at the start for fun just by the fact that they line up at the start, including the grid girl...
Simple technology based on the VW Beetle
The approved vehicles are mainly supplied by the manufacturer WRT, which develops the vehicles together with VW Belgium and VW Motorsport. Of course, it is also possible to tinker on your own, as long as the candidate complies with the regulations, there are no restrictions. The third generation of the VW Fun Cap racing car, equipped with a 172 hp 2-liter VW engine, is currently available for purchase. Over 350 models have been produced to date, making WRT the largest "car manufacturer" in Belgium!
Simple regulations on 12 pages
While the technical regulations of modern racing series have over 300 pages, the VW Fun Cup regulations are limited to 12 pages, and these are printed in large type. The vehicles are divided into three classes, from Evo 1 (130PS), Evo 2 (160PS) to Evo 3 (175PS).
The anniversary in three weeks
A report on the race is planned for the beginning of July, but until then you can enjoy the pictures from last year's race in the picture gallery.
Further information on the event, which is free to attend, can be found on the official website www.vwfuncup.eu.
