No Van Merksteijn by Equipe Verschuur in 2009?

[FIRE]

Without a major sponsor there's only a small chance Van Merksteijn will return with the Porsche RS Spyder in 2009.They had only one ambition and that was winning LMP2 class at Le Mans. They have asked Audi if a Audi R10 was possible but the German manufacturer has no capacity to supply a car. Van Merksteijn Motorsport will probably enter WRC next season. Source: Start magazine

This is not really a surprise for me. Peter van Merksteijn is more a rally racer than a circuit racer. Besides that his son is a talented rally driver. This season Van Merksteijn Sr and Jr driving both a Ford Focus WRC. In contrast to the RS Spyder (Equipe Verschuur) they run the rallycars by themself (VM Motorsport). It's rumoured they want semi-factory Ford Focus WRC cars for next season.

[cmk]

No surprise, really. They came in at the top, and they will exit at their ceiling, being as how their only improvement would be to move to P1 with a top-flight car. As you say, Audi is not going to cough up an R10, especially with the new baby debuting in factory hands next year. Really, what are they to do but move onto pastures new?

[Speed-King]

I wonder if an RS Spyder is viable at all for a team without a rich gentleman that is willing to cough up the necessary euros or dollars. So far there has been no private Spyder effort that was based on outside sponsorship, rather than money brought in by one of the drivers.
It is a great car, but the money it takes to run the Spyder succesfully may be more than what most companies think to be justified for the exposure they get from sponsoring such a car.

[Dauer 962]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

So far there has been no private Spyder effort that was based on outside sponsorship, rather than money brought in by one of the drivers.
It is a great car, but the money it takes to run the Spyder succesfully may be more than what most companies think to be justified for the exposure they get from sponsoring such a car.

Wrong, You can be sure that the Essex Spyder is neither owned by John Nielsen or Caspar Elgaard.

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by Dauer 962

Wrong, You can be sure that the Essex Spyder is neither owned by John Nielsen or Caspar Elgaard.

Just out of interest: Of what nature is the relationship between Essex and Mr. Nielsen? Only racing sponsorship or is he otherwise involved in that company?

[Aslak Vind]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

Just out of interest: Of what nature is the relationship between Essex and Mr. Nielsen? Only racing sponsorship or is he otherwise involved in that company?

John Nielsen is the teamboss and driver of Team Essex Invest. He has full sporting responsibility, and manages the day to day business of the team.

The sponsorship and teamownership comes solely from the Danish property group Essex Invest.

Essex Invest is owned and operated by fellow Dane Peter Halvorsen. The RS Spyder is owned by Team Essex Invest, and by saying that it means Peter Halvorsen and his holding company. The Team Essex Invest team managed three DTC titles by Casper Elgaard before moving on to Le Mans racing. Actully the DTC series is promoted and developed by Casper´s father, Peter Elgaaard, a former DTM driver himself.

But the familyties does not make Casper´s titles any less worth, he was racing against some of the best in the touringcar business.

[Aslak Vind]

I am sorry to hear that Van Merksteijn by Equipe Verschuur will not race the RS Spyder in 2009. However it beat the Danish RS Spyder, they did a fantastic job, and I would have loved to see them fight Essex Invest next year.

Actually, Team Essex Invest did also ask for an Audi R10, before buying a Porsche RS Spyder. But was turned down as well, there will be no privateer Audis in the near future. And also Audi needs to have total focus on the new baby.

[Dani Filth]

maybe they should've asked Peugeot instead of Audi ..

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by Dani Filth

maybe they should've asked Peugeot instead of Audi ..

You'd have thought! Unless of course, Peugeot is blowing smoke.


L.P.

[The Badger]

Blowing smoke ..... right , thats it , ban it !!!

I am dissapointed if they dont return though ..... wonder who will end up with the chassis .

[JAG]

Do they own the car, or is it rented/owned by someone else?

[fish88]

Originally Posted by JAG

Do they own the car, or is it rented/owned by someone else?

I thought Van Merksteijn owned it and the team itself is from Equipe Verschuur.

[Robert RS]

I would just like to make a short statement from our side regarding this. It is true that our relationship with Peter van Merksteijn will most likely change next year. This could range from a much smaller participation up to no participation from his side at all. The reasons for this as mentioned in this thread are in a lot of cases not far from the truth and as far as we are concerned very fair reasons too.

However that does not mean that the team actually running the car (eg. Equipe Verschuur) is not looking into other options for running an RS Spyder in 2009. We feel that with the quality of the car and team staff, our performance up till now, the exposure we've had in Holland and throughout Europe and our very good relationship with current world class drivers such as Verstappen and Bleekemolen makes us a very interesting party to negiotate with both for private clients as well as potential sponsors.

Having said that, our very first focus are the remaining two LMS races as we really have our mind set on winning the LMP2 championship!

[cmk]

Thanks for taking the time to post and fill us in, Robert. Those of us on forums can sometimes crawl up our own backsides thinking we know what we're talking about, and real facts from the inside (especially ones which confirm our ramblings!) are very useful and appreaciated.

I hope you have luck running the Spyder in 2009. Your team has done a stunning job this year.

[JAG]

It's fair to say Van Merksteijn have made a big spalsh in their first year, particularly with a driver like Verstappen.

PS, do Equipe Verschuur own the RS Spyder, or are they looking to run someone else's RS Spyder in 2009?

[Dauer 962]

Originally Posted by JAG

It's fair to say Van Merksteijn have made a big spalsh in their first year, particularly with a driver like Verstappen.

PS, do Equipe Verschuur own the RS Spyder, or are they looking to run someone else's RS Spyder in 2009?

The Spyder is owned by Peter van Merksteijn.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by JAG

It's fair to say Van Merksteijn have made a big spalsh in their first year, particularly with a driver like Verstappen.

PS, do Equipe Verschuur own the RS Spyder, or are they looking to run someone else's RS Spyder in 2009?

I really like a big spalsh. I guess its a bit like a big splunge?