Eliott Bachelart to Drive for the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium National Team at Spa

Geoffroy Theunis and Eliott Bachelart

Eliott Bachelart has been chosen to represent his native country of Belgium in the highly-competitive Formul’Academy Euro Series rounds at Spa during the weekend of the 24 Hours of Spa later this summer. Bachelart, the son of Conquest Racing team owner Eric Bachelart, will drive for the RACB (Royal Automobile Club of Belgium) National Team on what many call the world’s nicest race track.

Every year, a few hours before the start of the Total 24 Hours of Spa, the Formul’Academy Euro Series race takes place in front of thousands of spectators. This year, two rounds of the single-seater spec-series will be contested August 1 and 2. With his participation in the double-header weekend, young Bachelart will join the likes of four-time Champ Car Champion Sebastien Bourdais and Frenchman Franck Montagny as drivers who have competed in the Formul’Academy Euro Series.

"Eliott is the perfect kind of driver that we are looking for for this program," said Geoffroy Theunis, a representative for the RACB Sport. "At only 16, without a lot of single-seater experience, he has already demonstrated his talent."

Last season, Eliott Bachelart surprised many with his two outstanding performances in the Formula Renault 1.6 Series the weekend of the 24 Hours of Zolder. Bachelart finished third in the first race and second in the race number two. Making his performance even more remarkable was the fact that he sat in a Formula Renault car for the first time only a few days before hand and had to compete against more experienced drivers than him.

Bachelart chose to concentrate more on his studies at the start of the year rather than his racing career choosing to participate in only two Skip Barber events a few months ago. But now that the school year is over, it’s all about racing and getting ready for August.

In the coming weeks, Bachelart will be in North Carolina for a three week "boot camp" to get physically and mentally prepared. Then at the beginning of July, the teenager will continue his physical training with a personal trainer and will take part in two days of testing a Formula BMW car with Apex Racing July 16 and 17.

Once his Formula BMW test is over, Bachelart will leave for Europe and join the Formul’Academy at Le Mans for two days of testing on July 22 and 23. After which he will head to Spa.

"The only thing I know about Spa is what I have heard about it," explained Bachelart. "Since testing is limited, I will familiarize myself with it by walking and biking the 4.35-mile track that my father so often spoke about. I’ll also watch as much video footage as I can and of course video games are always a good help.

"This is an incredible opportunity for me. Representing Belgium , on one of the nicest race tracks in the world, just before one of the biggest races in Belgium is a chance of a lifetime and I want to take advantage of it."

- Karina Redmond- also photo