Dutch princes cannot finish car race

Dutch Princes Bernhard and Pieter-Christiaan did not finish their races on Sunday at Circuit Park Zandvoort, where both compete in the Samsung BMW130i Cup. In the downpour Prince Bernhard had to give up after only one lap.

His younger brother Pieter-Christiaan also left the course, was pulled back on track and received the go-ahead to continue, while the pull-cable was still connected to his car (picture at bottom). He was flagged down, did not respond and was consequently disqualified. ,,I didn't realise they flagged me", he said.

Both princes did better on Saturday, finishing seventh and tenth respectively. Prince Bernhard also took third place in the Drivers Trophy, in which he is taking first place going into the final races on October 26th.

The sons of Princess Margriet and Pieter van Vollenhoven compete for Racing Team Holland, founded in 1963 by Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, and with their grandfather Prince Bernhard at time as its patron. Racing Team Holland is going to expand its activities the princes announced during a press conference. They will race again next year, although they have yet to decide in which car class.

© GPD Netherlands Press Association; Photos by © Frank van Beek, Capital Photos