Melvin de Groot and Team Bleekemolen worked together to score their first win of the 2025 EuroNASCAR season in treacherous conditions at Brands Hatch.
Melvin de Groot’s historic first career EuroNASCAR victory in American SpeedFest 12 was made possible through multiple factors.
De Groot’s talent is certainly the biggest factor, but credit must also be given to the Dutchman’s team Team Bleekemolen. The Dutch team was on the radio to guide de Groot, who had to charge his way up from a formation lap tire change in heavy rain conditions.
Team Bleekemolen’s important role was brought up by de Groot himself in Victory Lane. The 47-year old was among the fastest drivers in the treacherous conditions, but he also credited his team for the guidance that they provided.
“I couldn’t see anything, it was no view, nothing!” explained de Groot in Victory Lane. “We had to go back from, I don’t know, fifth or seventh place and I couldn’t see anything.”
“Over the radio, they [the Team Bleekemolen spotters] said “Stay left, stay right!” and I just focused. I knew I was a bit quicker, so I thought at a certain moment I had to attack now.”
With this victory, de Groot finally achieves the goal that he set back in 2024. It also promoted de Groot to the lead in the EuroNASCAR OPEN standings, making him the first championship leader to come from Team Bleekemolen.
“It’s phenomenal, I’m really happy with this,” expressed de Groot with joy. “It’s really nice, especially in these circumstances that it’s really hard. It was a fight with the car and with the cars around you. Finally managing to get first is a really good feeling.”
Team Bleekemolen’s team boss Sebastiaan Bleekemolen expressed a similar view, as written in the team’s post-race press release.
Sebastiaan is also happy with the fact that Team Bleekemolen got a double podium finish in that race. Bruno Mulders was classified in third after Martin Doubek – who finished third on the road – was penalized for spinning Andres Beers.
“The conditions were terrible and it was very hectic, because we had to change tires just before the start,” Bleekemolen said after the weekend. “Melvin got through it well in a tactical game and slowly drove forward from P6.”
“The rain made the speed difference big and you often had to overtake stragglers, which was very difficult with all the spray.”
“We coached from the side with multiple radios to drive around them. As a team we did that well and we stayed out of trouble. Bruno was tapped once and did a 360, but by overtaking six riders he still came third.”
NOTE: Due to the original broadcast for the race being interrupted by blackouts, EuroNASCAR has uploaded a Full Race Replay that showcases the race in its entirety. Check out the Full Replay in the link provided here.
Disclaimer: Credits for all photos are listed underneath each image.