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Belgian co-driver Justine Demeestere has spent over a decade navigating stage notes from the right seat, building a reputation as one of rally’s most experienced and reliable navigators in a sport that doesn’t exactly hand out participation trophies.

EARLY YEARS

Born in 1993, Demeestere grew up in Belgium and gravitated toward rally’s demanding world of precision timing and split-second communication. By 2012, she was already competing in the TAC Rally alongside driver Chris Van Woensel in a BMW 130i, cutting her teeth on Belgian stages that separate the serious from the Sunday drivers[1]. Her early career saw her partnering with Van Woensel through multiple seasons, including runs in the Omloop Van Vlaanderen in 2012, where YouTube clips captured the pair attacking technical sections with the kind of focus that suggested this wasn’t just a hobby[2].

OTHER INTERESTS

Information about Demeestere’s interests outside of rallying isn’t publicly documented, but given the year-round commitment required to compete at her level—studying pace notes, traveling across Europe for events, and coordinating with teams—it’s safe to say motorsport occupies most of her calendar.

EARLY SUCCESS

By 2016, Demeestere had switched co-driving duties to work with Polle Geusens, and the partnership delivered results. The pair dominated the East Belgian Rally that year, taking victory after a strong performance in the Junior BRC category at the Omloop van Vlaanderen[3]. In 2022, she paired with Camille Mazuin, a laureate of the 100% female Rally Girls Stuurwiel program, bringing her extensive rally knowledge to support another rising Belgian talent[4]. That season saw them compete in events like the TAC Rally and Rallye de la Haute Senne in a Renault Clio Rally5, finishing 30th overall in the latter[5]. Her versatility across different drivers and car classes demonstrated the kind of adaptability that keeps co-drivers employed in a cutthroat field.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2012: Competed in TAC Rally with Chris Van Woensel in BMW 130i, finishing 17th overall[1].
• 2016: Won East Belgian Rally with Polle Geusens in Junior BRC category[3].
• 2022: Co-drove with Camille Mazuin in TAC Rally and Rallye de la Haute Senne in Renault Clio Rally5[4][5].
• 2025: Partnered with Thyrsa Eertmans in RACB National Team colors, competing in ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup, finishing 8th overall at Central European Rally and 12th at opening round in Sulingen[6][7][8].
• 2025: Completed Saarland-Pfalz Rallye with Eertmans, showcasing consistency in electric rally competition[9].
• 2025: Finished Sezoensrally flawlessly with Eertmans, supported by RACB National Team[10].

INSPIRATIONS

No specific information about Demeestere’s inspirations or influences has been publicly shared.

REPUTATION

By 2022, at 29 years old, Demeestere could already claim “extensive experience” in the co-driver’s seat, having competed in more than 40 rallies[4]. That kind of mileage breeds the kind of calm under pressure that drivers need when they’re sideways on gravel at triple-digit speeds. In 2025, she was described as “an experienced co-driver in the rally world who knows this competition well” when announced as Thyrsa Eertmans’ navigator for the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup season[11]. The pairing proved steady—finishing events without errors and steadily improving times throughout the season, including a clean run to 10th place at Rallye Eindhoven in their Opel Corsa Electric[12]. Demeestere’s role in guiding Eertmans, a Rally Girls Stuurwiel winner making her international debut, underscored her value as a stabilizing force for newer talent. She was also briefly featured as a face of Cuckoomobile, a testament to her visibility in Belgian rally circles[13].

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Demeestere will continue as co-driver for Thyrsa Eertmans in the RACB National Team for the 2026 season, with the team confirming high ambitions moving forward[14]. The partnership will continue representing Belgium in both domestic and international competitions, building on their 2025 foundation in electric rally competition. For Eertmans, it’s described as “an enormous honor to represent Belgium for a second season,” with Demeestere’s experience remaining central to their strategy[14].

REFERENCES

[1] TIELT, BELGIUM: Belgian driver Chris Van Woensel and his co-driver Justine Demeestere in action in their BMW 130i during the TAC Rally
[2] SS 11 Zoning – Chris Van Woensel & Justine Demeestere
[3] Polle Geusens domineert de East Belgian Rally
[4] Justine Demeestere aan de zijde van Camille Mazuin
[5] Final Results Rallye de la Haute Senne 2022
[6] Thyrsa Eertmans: “We sluiten het seizoen af met een positieve noot”
[7] Adac Opel Cup: Thyrsa Eertmans: “We hebben heel wat geleerd”
[8] Mooie openingsmanche van de ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup in Sulingen
[9] Thyrsa Eertmans: “We zullen aan de technische stroken werken”
[10] Thyrsa Eertmans en Justine Demeestere en RACB National Team foutloos
[11] Thyrsa Eertmans
[12] Rallye Eindhoven
[13] Justine Demeestere nieuw gezicht van Cuckoomobile
[14] Hoge ambities voor het RACB National Team 2026