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Mike Hezemans
Dutch racing driver (born 1969) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Mike Hezemans (born 25 July 1969) is a Dutch racing driver who last competed for Marc VDS Racing Team in the Blancpain Endurance Series.
Hezemans is a two-time winner of the Spa 24 Hours, a three-time winner of the 24 Hours of Zolder and a race winner in the FIA GT Championship, in which he was runner-up in points four times.
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Career
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Hezemans began karting in 1981,[1] most notably finishing third in the Karting World Championship and runner-up in the Karting European Championship in 1989 before stepping up to car-racing the year after by racing in the Dutch Production Car Championship.[2]
After spending four years between Porsche Carrera Cup Germany and Porsche Supercup, which included a podium at the 1991 24 Hours of Spa, Hezemans joined Lotus Racing Team for the 1996 BPR Global GT Series.[3] Continuing with Lotus Racing for 1997, Hezemans competed in the FIA GT Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the GT1 class.[4]
In 1998, Hezemans returned to the GT1 class of the FIA GT Championship for a part-time schedule with Team Hezemans, before switching to the GT2 class and Roock Racing for the second half, during which he scored a podium in the season-ending race at Laguna Seca.[5]
Following his third season in the FIA GT Championship in 1999 where he only scored four points, Hezemans joined Carsport Holland for the following year.[6] After taking his maiden series win at Monza,[7] Hezemans won again at the A1-Ring and Brno to end the season runner-up in points.[8][9]
Hezemans remained with Carsport Holland for 2001, this time partnering Jeroen Bleekemolen. The pair won at the Hungaroring and Estoril on their way to runner-up honors in the GT standings.[10][11] Partnering up with Anthony Kumpen for 2002, the pair won the second-to-last race at Donington Park as they finished sixth in points.[12] During 2002, Hezemans took the first of three consecutive 24 Hours of Zolder wins.[13]
After podium-less stints with Force One Racing Festina and GPC Giesse Squadra Corse,[14][15] Hezemans returned to GLPK-Carsport for 2005 alongside Bert Longin and Anthony Kumpen.[16] The trio won at Imola and the third-to-last round at Zhuhai en route to a sixth place in points at season's end.[17][18] The trio was retained by GLPK-Carsport for 2006,[19] but were only able to muster a win at Le Castellet and four more podiums to finish the season seventh in the GT1 standings.[20]
Staying with Carsport Holland for 2007, Hezemans was partnered by Jean-Denis Délétraz while also being joined by Marcel Fässler and Fabrizio Gollin for the Spa 24 Hours,[21] which they won, helping them to finish third in the GT1 points.[22] Gollin then became Hezemans' full-time teammate for the 2008 season as Carsport Holland strengthened their partnership with Phoenix Racing.[23] The duo scored a lone win in Adria and ended the season runner-up in points.[24]
Hezemans initially signed with Racing Box to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans for 2009,[25] but after said deal broke down, Hezemans returned to the FIA GT Championship, joining PekaRacing nv alongside Anthony Kumpen.[26] The duo took their first win of the season in Oschersleben,[27] before winning the 24 Hours of Spa on their way to runner-up in the GT1 points.[28]
Staying in the newly-rebranded FIA GT1 World Championship for 2010, Hezemans joined Phoenix Racing / Carsport.[29] Splitting the season with Mad-Croc Racing,[30] Hezemans scored only one podium during the season, a third at the 24 Hours of Spa.[31]
Hezemans remained in the FIA GT1 World Championship, joining Exim Bank Team China alongside Nicky Catsburg.[32] After taking his first podium at Zolder,[33] Hezemans took pole at Silverstone,[34] before finishing third in both races.[35][36] During 2011, Hezemans made a one-off appearance in the Blancpain Endurance Series for KRK Racing Team Holland.[37]
In 2012, Hezemans returned to the Blancpain Endurance Series, joining Marc VDS Racing Team alongside Bert Longin and Henri Moser.[38] After scoring his season-best result of sixth at Le Castellet,[39] Hezemans left the team before the season-ending round in Navarra and was replaced by Nicky Catsburg.[40]
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Personal life
Hezemans is the son of 1970 European Touring Car Championship champion Toine Hezemans,[41] and is the brother of NASCAR Whelen Euro Series drivers Loris and Liam Hezemans.[42]
Hezemans is the co-owner of Norwyn Development Group,[43] and lives in Miami, Florida.[44]
Karting record
Karting career summary
Racing record
Racing career summary
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References
External links
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