van der Garde Makes Historic Debut at Zandvoort
Former Caterham Formula One racer-turned Sauber reserve
driver Giedo van der Garde will make his historic racing debut next weekend at
Zandvoort in the Masters Historic Racing Gentlemen Drivers Pre-66 GT race. Dutchman
van der Garde will tackle the 90-minute race in an AC Cobra, owned and shared
by fellow Dutchman Hans Hugenholtz. It will be van der Garde’s first experience
of the car and of this type of racing but as a true racer, he can’t wait.
“This will be my first race ever with a roof over my head and my debut in
historic motor sport,” he said. Coming from Formula One to the Cobra will be a
real change because I will step over from a car with lots of grip to a car with
almost no grip at all!”
Van der Garde, the 2008 Formula Renault 3.5 champion, has had some
mileage behind the wheel of the DHG-run Cobra with some testing at the Dutch
circuit and was pleased with his progress.
“The first tests went very well, so I am really looking forward to the event,
not only to racing there but also to meet the Dutch fans again. It has been a
long time since I last raced at home.”
The race will be Giedo’s first one since his 18th place finish in
last year’s Brazilian Grand Prix. The Zandvoort Historic Grand Prix run from
August 29th-31st and includes races for the FIA Masters
Historic Formula One Championship, FIA Masters Historic Sports Car Championship
and Masters Pre-66 Touring Cars along with the Gentlemen Drivers Pre-66 GT race.
