Career
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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