Report Volante Car Challenge 2025

Report Volante Car Challenge 2025

Note; the post below has been translated with Google Translate.

This year we were guests at Innovam in Nieuwegein for the Car Challenge on April 5th. Innovam is the industry trainer for the mobility sector. As in previous years, both the start and finish were at the same location. The routes went westwards, towards Reewijkse plassen and then to Bergambacht, to cross the Lek there with a ferry. Then we headed for a checkpoint at Meerkerk, and from there Innovam was the end point.

This year we had 27 teams, of which 14 participated in the sports class and 13 in the touring class. The difference between sports and touring class is mainly the complexity of the navigation (more complex in sports), but there are also some adjustments in the route.

Our chairman Sjoerd kicked off, after which Paul, from Rallysupport, took over and gave some instructions on the routes that would be driven that day. This year too, there would be some snakes in the grass…

The cars were provided with placards by the participants, the routes were discussed and the first team could leave from 10:00, with another team following every minute.

We had beautiful dry and sunny weather, which also ensured that many recreational cyclists were on their feet (or bikes). Quite busy, but it was well anticipated so that we could welcome everyone at the finish without incidents.

Because the results were already coming in during the event via the digital score lists, the final score was quickly known, after which the awards ceremony could take place for both categories and the category “most beautiful car”.

The Top 3 of the sports class was as follows:

• 1st prize: Frank and Simon Oerlemans, with their Porsche 911 (2013)
• 2nd prize: Jet Polman-Blankespoor and Jacqueline van ‘t Zand, with their Mini Clubman Estate (1980)
• 3rd prize: Mike van Thiel and Maarten van Zuijlen, with their Volvo S60 (2015)

In the Tour class the ranking is as follows: 

• 1st prize: Perrin and Quinten van der Sluys, with their VW Polo GTI (2019)
• 2nd prize: Maxime and Theo Weijtenberg, with their VW Polo (1993)
• 3rd prize: Jeroen Slotman and Guido Snellings, with their Alfa Romeo 147 GTA (2004)

For the “Car of the Day” all participants could also indicate which car they considered to be the most beautiful of the day (their own car was of course out of competition).

The Car of the Day trophy this year went to the Mini Clubman Estate of the Polman-Blakenspoor/ van ’t Zand team, which also won 2nd prize in the sports class. Double praise!

Of course there was also an encouragement prize to be awarded: this time for the team Steven te Velde / Dick van Wijngaarden with their Porsche 911 from 1984. Due to a misinterpretation they had only entered the stamped letters in the app, which earned them extra points.

The beautiful weather made it possible to fully enjoy the networking drinks after the awards ceremony. Extensive use was also made of the tour by Taco, to view the various video facilities with which Innovam now provides training for OEMs both nationally and internationally.

The day ended with a delicious hot meal in Italian style, where delicious, freshly made pizzas and pastas could be enjoyed. Of course there was also Italian “gelato”, to end the whole in a fitting style.

The organization and the event itself would not be possible without the efforts of many volunteers, whom we would like to thank again.

Enjoy the photos and please complete the survey form so we know what went well and where there are still areas for improvement.

Our thanks also go to all participants who contributed to this successful day.

Below is a video with highlights of the day:

You can view photos of the day below:

Link to photo album Car Challenge 2025

De Volante Car Challenge 2025 Was made possible with help of: