David Vegter finishes the 2023 season on a high note
It was not a matter if, but when David Vegter would win a race of the FIA European Pro Modified Championship. The Dutchman saved the best of the 2023 season for the last, by claiming a dominant win at The European Finals at Santa Pod Raceway, the fifth and final round of the FIA European Championship. With this victory, the second position in the final standings of the FIA European Pro Modified Championship and his extremely competitive new personal bests, Vegter and his team Vegter Pro Mod Racing can look back on a great and successful season.
David Vegter got off to a flying start to the 2023 season in May at Santa Pod Raceway by immediately improving his personal best of 5.804 seconds several times, to reset it to 5.740 seconds, close to multiple champion Jan Ericsson’s 5.724 seconds European record. But at least as impressive was the fact that Vegter broke the 5.8 second barrier several times, a rarely broken barrier by European Pro Mod drivers, and recorded 5.8 second ETs almost every time and at every track.
With three quarter-final finishes and a semi-final finish at the NitrOlympX at Hockenheim, where Vegter recorded a great 5.87 seconds but was still defeated by champion Ericsson, the Dutchman, supported by Velocity Classics, HKR Techniek, tomkart and Post & Dros, managed to move up into the second position in the FIA European Pro Modified Championship standings. With the ETs recorded during the season, with which Vegter together with Ericsson formed the top two in Europe, a race victory should be possible.
Everything fell into place at Santa Pod Raceway during the European Finals, the fifth and final round of the FIA European Championship. In qualifying Vegter claimed the second position with 5.85 seconds and with 5.91; 5.86 and the aforementioned 5.85 seconds, the Dutchman was the most consistent driver in the 19-car field. Also in eliminations Vegter was both quick and consistent. After a first round win, 5.86 and 5.85 second ETs were more than enough to win the quarter-finals and semi-finals and advance to the final.
In the final, the Dutchman had to face Mats Eriksson, and once again Vegter crossed the finish line first to claim the win. At the start line there was an emotional outburst of the nervously waiting crew.
It was Vegter’s first victory in a round of the FIA European Championship. It was the best possible way to finish the season, while Vegter also secured the second position in the final standings of the FIA European Pro Modified Championship for the second consecutive time.
“We were really quick early in the season, but we also suffered some engine damage a few times. As a result, the speed we had was not always visible in the race results. Halfway through the season we changed something in the engine setup and since then, we have not only been quick and fast, but consistent as well, and then you can win races. Everything came together during the European Finals. We were the quickest combination all weekend, remained consistent and didn’t suffer any engine damage at all. Of course I am very happy with the win and that we managed to finish the championship in second position. That also gains extra confidence towards 2024, in which we absolutely want to make a bid for the European title,” said a happy Vegter, concluding with: “I would like to thank the entire Vegter Pro Mod Racing crew, our sponsors Velocity Classics , HKR Techniek, tomkart and Post & Dros, and all our supporters for their help and support during the season.”
The Vegter Pro Mod Racing ’67 Chevrolet Camaro will be checked completely again this winter and get new parts if necessary, thus the Camaro will be back at the start line in 2024 as a brand new car.
Vegter Pro Mod Racing are supported by Velocity Classics, the Rijsenhout-based company specialized in selling exclusive (American) muscle cars and classic cars, HKR Techniek, tomkart (electric karts) and Post & Dros.
Follow Vegter Pro Mod Racing on Instagram at vegterpromodracing and Facebook: Vegter Pro Mod Racing
Photos: Remco Scheelings
