The Sprint Cup season hits full speed next weekend (16–18 May) with a pair of quick-fire races at Zandvoort. Thinking of joining us for the event? Here are five good reasons to make the trip out to the track.
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A MODERN TRACK WITH OLD-SCHOOL APPEAL
First opened in 1948, Zandvoort retains much of its old-school charm. There have been updates to the facilities and the track, including banking at Arie Luyendijkbocht and Hugenholtzbocht, but it’s kept what made it special. As such, it’s a great blend of history and modernity.
The circuit itself is fast and leaves no margin for error, presenting the kind of challenge that drivers relish. There's potential for changeable weather too, with dramatic storms sometimes rolling in off the sea and transforming races in an instant. Add it all together and you have an epic location for GT racing.
THE PERFECT PLACE FOR A RACE
Zandvoort has the twin benefits of being located on the coast and within a short distance of a bustling European capital. Indeed, it’s a quick train journey to Amsterdam, a city with far too many qualities to list here.
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But you need not even venture that far: Zandvoort itself has plenty to offer, including a fascinating history and some incredible restaurants. The beach has more places to eat and drink, and the weather can be very pleasant in May. As for the track, it’s within walking distance of the town, so there is the possibility to enjoy the whole weekend on foot or with a bicycle.
A LOCAL FAVOURITE TO CHEER FOR
It's fair to say that Max Verstappen is a popular man at Zandvoort, especially after taking a trio of Dutch Grand Prix wins at his home track. When GT World Challenge comes to town, it will be his protégé and friend Thierry Vermeulen who goes in pursuit of victory.
Vermeulen will carry the Vertsappen.com Racing livery on his #69 Emil Frey Racing Ferrari, sharing driving duties with another of Max’s chosen drivers, Chris Lulham. They will compete in the Gold Cup class and should be among the leading contenders for victory. Given its connections, this car should attract plenty of positive attention at Zandvoort.
THE BRONZE CUP JOINS THE PARTY
Zandvoort hosts the second round of the Sprint Cup season, but it will be the first to feature the full field. When the campaign opened at Brands Hatch it was with three classes due to space restrictions at the British circuit; this time, everyone is involved.
With the Bronze Cup joining the party we should see a grid of around 40 cars, which would smash the previous high of 30 that we saw in 2023. With all four classes present, the racing promises to be even more action-packed from start to finish.
SUPPORT SERIES ACTION
The Zandvoort weekend features one of the busiest support line-ups of the season. There is a wealth of GT action to look forward to, with the GT2 European Series powered by Pirelli and GT4 European Series powered by RAFA Racing Club each staging a pair of one-hour races.
There's single-seater action on the menu too courtesy of the GB3 Championship. This is one of Europe’s most competitive junior categories, with Ollie Bearman the most recent graduate to make it to the F1 grid. GB3 will race three times during the weekend, each lasting 25 minutes. In total, fans at the track can look forward to more than seven hours of past-paced racing action.
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Want to join us at Zandvoort? Tickets for the event are still available! A full weekend pass costs just 35.00€, while kids under 14 go free and all fans can attend free of charge on Friday. Single-day tickets for Saturday and Sunday cost 25.00€ per day. For more info, please click here.