Marc van der Straten Passes Away at 78

Photo: Laurent Cartalade/MPS Agency

Marc VDS Racing founder and team owner Marc Van der Straten passed away on Sunday at the age of 78.

The Belgian, who most recently lent his team’s name to the 2025 European Le Mans Series LMP2 championship-winning Panis Racing squad, as well as the Boutsen-run VDS Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo that currently competes in GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS, held a storied past in both two and four-wheeled competition.

While Marc VDS Racing became a three-time Moto2 World Championship-winning team in 2019, the team achieved considerable success in GT competition, both in the FIA GT1 World Championship and Blancpain Endurance Series, notably winning the 24 Hours of Spa in 2015 with a BMW Z4 GT3 featuring drivers Lucas Luhr, Markus Palttala and Nicky Catsburg.

The team ended its in-house GT3 racing operations that year to focus entirely on motorcycle racing, although made a comeback in recent years with support and branding on LMP2 and GT3 machinery, the former which won the 2025 ELMS LMP2 title with Esteban Masson, Ollie Gray and Charles Milesi.

In a fitting tribute, the same team, now under the Forestier Racing by Panis banner, won Sunday’s 4 Hours of Imola.

“Beyond being the boss, Marc was a larger-than-life character whose signature checkered flag cap made him instantly recognizable all around the globe,” a statement from the Marc VDS’ Moto2 team read.

“Winning was special to him, but so was his quest for excellence both on and off the track. Marc VDS isn’t just a team. It’s a family. And one of his great pleasures in life was seeing that family thrive and succeed through hard work and dedication.

“Marc created memories that will last forever. And we will never forget him and what he contributed to helping so many chase and fulfill their dreams in a truly remarkable life.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John