Thierry Vermeulen in at Team GP-Elite for injured Max Van Splunteren

News | January 13, 2023

Team GP-Elite has confirmed Thierry Vermeulen will compete at this weekend’s Hankook 24H DUBAI in place of injured compatriot, Max Van Splunteren.

 

Words – James Gent

Images – Petr Frýba

Thierry Vermeulen will compete at this weekend’s Hankook 24H DUBAI for Team GP-Elite in place of a now-injured Max Van Splunteren. 

 

Vermeulen, who finished 2nd in 992-Pro with Team GP-Elite, will partner Jesse and Daan van Kuijk, and Lucas Groeneveld in the #32 Team GP-Elite Porsche 911 GT3 R. The last-minute driver line-up change comes as a result of sustained “during the driver changes” before final qualifying, through Van Splunteren, part of GP-Elite’s 992-Pro-class winning line-up at last year’s event, has been forced to withdraw. 

 

Vermeulen has previously competed in the 992-generation Porsche GT3 Cup with Team GP-Elite, RABDAN Motorsport, and Red Camel-Jordans.nl, but this weekend will mark the first time the young Dutch driver will race a Porsche 911 GT3 R in the 24H SERIES.

“First of all, I want to wish Max Van Splunteren a speedy recovery,” Vermeulen explains in an official statement. “I am thankful to GP-Elite and the other drivers for giving me this chance and trusting me with this [opportunity]

 

“We’ve already had qualifying so now it’s all about adjusting to the car and track. We are starting P9 overall, which I think is a great achievement considering everything. I am really looking forward to my first 24-hour race in a GT3 Porsche R.”

 

The green flag is scheduled to drop at 15.00 hrs local time, with racing running uninterrupted throughout the night until the chequered flag is unfurled at 15.00 hrs local time on Sunday 15 January. 

share this content on: