Jeroen Bleekemolen and Bertrand Baguette to represent Belgium
After over 10,000 votes were cast, Bleekemolen came out on top of the Dutch poll, pipping rivals Tom Coronel and Robert Doornbos.
For Belgium, Baguette was the winner over François Duval and Eric van de Poele.
The duo join a dazzling ROC 2010 line-up that includes seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher, seven-time world rally champion Sébastien Loeb and 2010 F1 title contender Sebastian Vettel.
Team Benelux will head to the 2010 Race of Champions in Düsseldorf on November 27-28 with a pairing of Jeroen Bleekemolen and Bertrand Baguette after thousands of fans voted for their favorite drivers at www.raceofchampions.com.
Out of over 10,000 votes, two-time Porsche Supercup champion Bleekemolen (29.6%) overcame strong opposition from Tom Coronel (25.8%) and Robert Doornbos (25.7%) to take the Dutch vote. In the battle of the Belgians, 2009 World Series by Renault champion Baguette (36.8%) fought off François Duval (31.0%) and Eric van de Poele (22.6%).
The pair join a driver roll call including multiple F1 world champions Michael Schumacher and Alain Prost, seven-time world rally king Sébastien Loeb, five-time world 500cc motorcycling champion Mick Doohan, eight-time Le Mans 24-Hour race winner Tom Kristensen, X-Games legend Travis Pastrana and 2010 F1 title contender Sebastian Vettel.
Bleekemolen said: “I'm really looking forward to being able to represent my country in The Race of Champions. It's an honor to race against such big names of this sport. And of course I want to do really well, especially for all the fans that voted for me!"
Baguette added: “This is great news and I’m delighted that so many people voted for me to appear at ROC 2010. It will be a real buzz to line up against these legends of motor sport and Jeroen and I will push like crazy to bring home a result for Team Benelux."
The Race of Champions has been staged every year since 1988, founded by IMP President Fredrik Johnsson and Michèle Mouton, the world’s most successful female rally driver.
Johnsson said: “Thanks to everyone who voted for our Team Benelux line-up. We were overwhelmed by the response and we look forward to seeing Jeroen and Bertrand race in Düsseldorf later this month."
Tickets are now available from www.raceofchampions.com with prices starting at 29 Euros. Sign up for all the latest updates at www.raceofchampions.com , @raceofchampions on Twitter or Race Of Champions on Facebook.
Drivers already confirmed for the 2010 Race of Champions:
- Michael SCHUMACHER, Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion
- Alain PROST, Four-time Formula 1 World Champion
- Sébastien LOEB, Seven-time World Rally Champion
- Mick DOOHAN, Five-time World 500cc Motorcycling Champion
- Sebastian VETTEL, 2010 Formula 1 title contender
- Tom KRISTENSEN, Eight-time Le Mans 24-Hour race winner
- Heikki KOVALAINEN, Formula 1 grand prix winner
- Andy PRIAULX, Three-time World Touring Car Champion
- Jason PLATO, Two-time British Touring Car Champion
- Alvaro PARENTE, GP2 race winner & Winner ROC South Europe 2010
- Filipe ALBUQUERQUE, A1GP race winner & Winner ROC South Europe 2010
- Travis PASTRANA, Eleven-time X-Games gold medalist
- Carl EDWARDS, 2007 NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion
- Jeroen BLEEKEMOLEN, Two-time Porsche Supercup Champion
- Bertrand BAGUETTE, 2009 World Series by Renault Champion