22 July 2025, Ronalds

Saint Georges de Montaigu, France this past weekend, the legendary Saint Georges de Montaigu circuit played host to the fifth round of the French Autocross Championship. With the FIA European Autocross Championship currently on its summer break, several top European drivers took this opportunity to stay race-sharp, gain valuable track time, and challenge themselves against local talents.

Spain’s talented CrossCar driver Ares Lahoz Rubio took part in the Sprint Girls category, while Nathan Ottink, the 2024 Junior Buggy Champion, made his debut in the Buggy 1600 class in France. Ottink competed under the PK CHALETS Autocross Team banner alongside fellow Dutchman and teammate Mervin Klaassen.

How did they fare against strong national competition? Read on to find out.

Ares Lahoz: Fast, Fearless, and Unfortunate

Despite mixed results in the qualifying heats, Ares Lahoz surged back with an impressive semi-final win, securing second choice on the front row of the final. The determined Spanish was poised for a podium fight, but chaos struck in the very first lap—contact with another competitor dropped her to the back of the field. Refusing to give in, Lahoz fought her way back through the pack with grit and determination. However, another collision—this time with a local French driver—forced her to retire early. A bittersweet ending to what promised to be a breakthrough race.

Bright Start Turns Dark for Klaassen

Mervin Klaassen kicked off his weekend with two solid heat results, showing strong pace and consistency. Unfortunately, a crash in the third heat triggered a series of setbacks. A mechanical failure during the semi-final ultimately ended his chances of reaching the final. Klaassen’s weekend concluded prematurely, but not without flashes of speed.

Nathan Ottink: Leading the Charge, Then Heartbreak

Nathan Ottink impressed early with consistent top-three finishes in qualifying heats, followed by a win in his semi-final. Lining up in pole position for the final, the Dutchman initially lost the lead in the opening corners but quickly reclaimed it with a bold, clean overtake. Sadly, drama returned just as quickly—likely due to damage sustained in the battle, Ottink’s buggy faltered in the final corner of the first lap, forcing him to retire from what could have been a remarkable victory.

Though results-wise the weekend didn’t go as hoped, the experience gained by these European championship contenders was invaluable. Racing against fast, home-track specialists in the French national scene offers a different kind of challenge—one that sharpens skills and builds racecraft under pressure.

In an increasingly competitive sport, participation in national championships during off-weeks can play a critical role in driver development. Beyond the personal growth, it supports local clubs and federations, ensuring a deeper talent pool and a stronger future for the European championship as a whole!