After its impressive showing at both the Hankook 24H DUBAI and Hankook 6H ABU DHABI, Antigua’s Haas RT is eyeballing further podium finishes in first full European season in the 24H SERIES powered by Hankook in 2023.
Words – James Gent
Images – Audi Media
24H SERIES newcomer Haas RT has registered a full European season entry in the 24H SERIES powered by Hankook for 2023, and, following a strong debut in Dubai, is confident of further success with CREVENTIC.
Haas RT, the first team to ever represent Antigua on the international motorsport scene, made its motor racing debut at the Hankook 24H DUBAI earlier this year in July, stunning fans and rivals alike by securing a top five finish from 43rd on the grid. The Antiguan team, based in Belgium, re-affirmed the pace of its Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II by taking its first series podium at the following week’s Hankook 6H ABU DHABI, falling just 10 seconds shy of an overall win in the process.
With two impressive weekends already under its belt, and believing itself “capable of flirting with the higher echelons of the table,” Haas RT is already eying more podiums and outright wins across its maiden 24H SERIES campaign, starting with this month’s Hankook 12H MUGELLO on 25-26 March.
“Every team member is eager to participate and to improve themselves to achieve the best results,” Haas RT team manager Kris Dedoncker explained to CREVENTIC. “It’s great to have a team that’s close and ambitious with the same mindset. We’re not only participating to enjoy the experience, we’re always aiming for a win.”
Though a seat is still available at select 24H SERIES races during the season – interested parties can contact Kris directly HERE – long-time TCR teammates Mathieu Detry and Stéphane Perrin are set to continue their GT3 transition with Haas RT in Mugello alongside Audi factory driver, and 2019 Hankook 24H DUBAI winner, Frédéric Vervisch. Detry and Vervisch competed alongside Olivier Bertels, Benjamin Mazatis and former Bentley factory GT driver Maxime Soulet on the team’s debut in Dubai, while Perrin, who took overall TCE honours with AC Motorsport in Dubai, made his first start in GT3 machinery alongside Detry and Soulet in Abu Dhabi. The young Belgian is expected to remain a focal point of Haas RT’s driver line-up throughout the 2023 season.
“I am very happy to continue the season with Haas RT!” Detry continues. “I feel very comfortable in this family and professional team, and it's the best environment for me to continue learning how to drive a GT3 car. We had two very good results in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, so the objective will now be to regularly aim for the podiums, and why not aim for victories?
“I'm also very happy to share this experience with my friend Stéphane Perrin with whom I've been sharing the seat for a few years now and I'm happy that we've passed the GT3 stage together. Also, we will be joined by Frédéric Vervisch for some races… It is great news to be able to evolve next to a world [professional] and to be able to compare with him to improve myself. I am sure that we have a great package to aim for good results this year.”
Haas RT is one of more than a dozen GT3 teams already confirmed for the 2023 Hankook 12H MUGELLO on 25-26 March. The European season opener at the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello will be followed by the Hankook 12H SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS on 6-7 May, the returning Hankook 12H MONZA on 10-11 June, and the inaugural Hankook 12H ESTORIL in Portugal on 7-8 July before CREVENTIC’s European season is wrapped up at the Hankook 24H BARCELONA on 15-16-17 September.
