Women In Sim racing Yvonne Houffelaar Blog #59

Our women in sim racing series continues here at simrace247, our resident Yvonne Houffelaar is going from strength to strength.

Women in sim racing continues, or shall we soon be putting it down as women in racing with Yvonne Houffelaar. To say I am so proud of Yvonne Houffelaar is a massive understatement, we were in a chat the other day and we were reflecting on when she joined us here at simrace247 back at the start of 2021. Her achievements and ambitions are a fine example to anyone that wants to achieve their dreams. This week’s blog is a mix of sim racing and hitting the track at Silverstone with Team BRIT.

Welcome to my fifty nineth weekly blog!!

eSport Italia Women’s GT
On Saturday 09-04-2022, was the 5th round from the eSport Italia Women’s GT, 40 minutes at Spa Francorchamps. The championship is a spec series, and all the ladies are driving the Lamborghini GT3. Because of other races from Sophie, I didn’t have time to practice in the rig, which made it a bit difficult in the race. I had a stunning Bernadette (Bentley) lap in qualifying, which gave me the pole position! It was a perfect Bernadette lap because I drove the exact same way as with the Bentley in Assetto Corsa Competizione (ACC) at Spa Francorchamps. Because I couldn’t practice, I drove automatically this way, it gave me a good speed, but also a risky driving style for Gran Turismo Sport (GTS), at least it turned out it was… My start was ok, but I lost a position at the start, to Sophie.

I had some good fights with Luana and found a good race pace. Until lap 6, I drove my line as usual, and coming out of Stavelot, I lost the rear and spun straight into the wall. This cost me 2 positions and loads of time. I could go back to my race pace again and gain time, with the fastest lap in the race. I finished P3, lost points in the championship, and wasn’t very happy with this result. For the last race at Monza, on Saturday 23-04-2022, I’m going to practice loads, and at least get 3rd in the championship. Sophie Aeronwen drove a good race, consistent, and good race pace, she won! Cass Corby finished 6th, getting quicker, and more consistent!

Race Asylum GT4 Team Tourer
On Sunday 17-04-2022, it was the 2nd round of the Race Asylum GT4 Team Tourer, 3 races at Tokyo Expressway – East Inner Loop. I was driving the Aston Martin GT4, after some practice, I had some confidence in the car, and I was looking forward to the races. In the first race, I drove on the medium tire, with a bit less grip but everyone on the team needs to drive one race on the medium tire. My teammates in this race are Sophie Aeronwen and John Pearson (JDP Gaming), a great team, and driving together with my partner and our friend, makes it even more special!! eTeamBRIT, have 2 teams in this championship, in eTeamBRIT Academy the drivers Cass Corby, Martin Buchan, and Dom Lane. The first race was good, with some tactics and a good slipstream, I finished P6 in the race. The second race was with a reverse grid start, I started from P6, with the super-soft tire.

With some great teamwork, with Martin Buchan, I won the race!! Martin helped with bump drafting and slipstream, he finished P3! In the last race, I started from pole position, I got passed on the long straight by 2 Bugatti’s who were way too fast compared to our cars. Unfortunately, I spun during the last race on the second lap, I lost the rear when I was going on the throttle, probably a bit too fast on the throttle. After the spin, I was last and needed to close a huge gap, with some slipstream and fast lap times, I could come back to P6. It was great to see all the teamwork, from both of the eTeamBRIT teams, the spirit was great, and it makes me very proud to see as a team manager!!

My first track day (after 11 years) for Team BRIT
On Monday 11-04-2022, was my first track day for Team BRIT, at Silverstone. I was really excited to be back in a racing car after 11 years. 11 years ago, I needed to stop because of my disability. That period of my life was very difficult, I thought that I needed to give up my biggest dream, to be a racing driver. I always said to myself, if I can not give it all (because of my disability), I can’t get the performance that I always have, I need to stop. It wasn’t an easy decision but it was a good decision. I always hoped and dreamed, that I could have another chance, to drive with hand controls on a circuit! eTeamBRIT, Team BRIT, Simsport Solutions, and SimRace247.com made it possible with this new project Disabled Sim Racer to Disabled Track Racer, to drive on track and race in competitions! It is an amazing opportunity, and I will give it all to get the best out of myself and the best results possible!!

I’m reading a book about getting sponsors, from the Racing Mentor. It’s very interesting to read, and I get a lot of tips. If you are going to look for sponsors in go-karting or racing, this is a very good book to read. I need to change my socials, and I’m going to work on a website with Darren from SimRace247.com! I’m also working on a sponsorship plan. If you are interested to be part of this project and my journey; please send a message to one of my socials or email me at yvonne@teambrit.co.uk.

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