Guest-drivers thoroughly enjoy themselves in Zandvoort: "Intimidating how fast this goes"
The Dutch drivers are traditionally pretty well represented in the BOSS GP. The Dutch delegation was even bigger than usual, though, during the Masters of F3-weekend with extra guest-drivers such as Tom Coronel, Jan Lammers, Peter Versluis, Cor Euser and Henk Thuis. “Racing in these kinds of amazing F1s is an amazing experience,” smiles Henk Thuis, one of the nine ‘Flying Dutchmen’ in Zandvoort. “It’s almost intimidating. It’s going that fast.”
Henk Thuis has pretty much experienced it all as a driver, but his rare appearances in the Big Open Single Seaters are absolute highlights for him. “I’ve had the chance to take place behind the steering wheel of a number of F1s in the past. I drove in a Benetton in 1995 and ’97 and also raced in an Arrows before. This time I got the chance to hit the pedal to the metal in a beautiful Ferrari. Superb!”
‘How would a Ferrari race?’
The experienced driver was enjoying every moment, which really made sense as fellow driver and car owner Frits van Eerd gave him the opportunity to drive in a Ferrari F93A F1 from 1993. “That car runs like a bullet. It’s incredible how fast that car goes. It’s impossible to drive slowly in it. I still remember sitting in front of the television and seeing Gerhard Berger win the Grand Prix of Germany. I was wondering at the time: ‘How would it feel to race in that car? And what do you know? I’m driving in it now! This isn’t normal,” was Thuis all smiles.
Intense preparation
Although the man behind Intrax Racing Suspension is used to pretty much everything when it comes to racing, Thuis decided to put in some extra work in order to be well prepared for his guest appearance at the BOSS GP in Zandvoort. “I did a few tests at Zolder a few weeks ago and I’m glad that I did it. I struggled to contain what was happening in the beginning. Even if you’re taking it easy with this thing, it still speeds off like a rocket. Ferraris really are produced to go fast, Wow!”
Enthusiasts
Klaas Zwart gave Thuis the chance to race in a Benetton F1 last year. “It’s fantastic that guys like Klaas and Frits are willing to lend their cars to other drivers. They’re real enthusiasts and they don’t begrudge others anything,” explains Thuis.
F1 or fishing
“I’m 66 years old now,” continues the ‘veteran’. “People would tell me to go and see a doctor if I’d tell them that I occasionally drive Formula 1 when they ask me what I do at birthdays. So I just tell people I like to go fishing.”
A real gem
Thuis knew that he couldn’t afford to crash in such an expensive car during his appearance at Zandvoort. “The Ferrari is a real gem. My participation here is more of a demonstration than a race for me. I won’t hesitate to put the pedal to the metal, but I won’t push it to the max. I have to return the car in one piece. I will not be a pushover though. I’m Henk Berger this weekend,” joked Thuis. “The only bad thing about the Ferrari is that it’s a bit narrower than the Benetton that I drove in 2010. I have a little less room to move. Although the original V12- engine has been replaced by a Judd 3,5 litre V10, it still feels as if the original engine is in it. And that typical Ferrari emotion is always something special,” concluded Thuis.
