A special milestone for Rinus ‘VeeKay’ van Kalmthout. In two weeks, a three-part IndyCar documentary surrounding his racing life will premiere. Commissioned by Amazon Prime Video, Villain Studios closely followed the Dutch racing talent during the run-up to the 2022 Indianapolis 500. The result can be seen starting Friday, Feb. 10, exclusively at Amazon Prime Video.
“I greatly applaud Amazon Prime Video for highlighting the NTT INDYCAR Series”
Rinus VeeKay – IndyCar driver at Ed Carpenter Racing
It has not escaped the notice of the Dutch branch of the world-renowned company Amazon that VeeKay is firmly establishing itself in the United States. More than a year ago, the plan was hatched to follow the NTT INDYCAR Series race winner in his preparations for – and participation in – the famous Indianapolis 500. The aim, of course, is to give racing fans from the Benelux an exclusive glimpse into the life of the talented twenty-something from Hoofddorp and, at the same time, to offer a look behind the scenes at the NTT INDYCAR Series.
Since his smallest toddler years, Rinus VeeKay has dreamed of success at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Through the Road To Indy training ladder, which the Dutch talent passed through in record time of just three years, the youngster has already completed three seasons at the very highest level in the United States. Meanwhile, in the highly competitive IndyCar Series, VeeKay already reached a stunning race victory, two pole positions and several podium finishes.
Because the NTT INDYCAR Series has less name recognition in Europe than Formula 1, Amazon Prime Video came to the conclusion that the charismatic VeeKay could serve as an ideal launching pad to raise awareness of the American racing class. Thus, the three-part documentary series around him is structured in such a way that even those with no knowledge of auto racing will be captivated in no time.
Naturally, attention is also paid to Rinus’ father Marijn and mother Evelien, as well as his mentor, two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Arie Luyendyk. While the youngest member of the VeeKay family tears across the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s fearsome oval, among others, at speeds approaching 400 kilometers per hour, Amazon’s cameras monitor every movement around the young racing hero’s team.
“This is an incredibly professional documentary, I am very grateful to Amazon for allowing me to be the subject,” commented VeeKay, who is in the United States preparing for the legendary Daytona 24-hour race, which takes place next weekend. “It’s been quite a journey for the very knowledgeable people at Villain Studios to get all of this on film, but I think they’ve done a great job. In fact, I’ve already been allowed to sneak a peek and I’m hugely impressed.”
“For me, this was something new. By now I’ve gotten used to dealing with the media, which I personally find very pleasant, by the way, but it’s very special to be followed by a whole film crew. During last year’s Indy 500, I was one of the favorites. For the second consecutive year, I got to start from the front row of the grid.”
“Of course, I greatly applaud Amazon Prime Video for highlighting the NTT INDYCAR Series. I feel honored as an ambassador of the Benelux to represent that wonderful racing class, which I have been a part of for four seasons this year. Hopefully this documentary will give the IndyCar Series in the Netherlands and Belgium a strong push, so that in addition to Verstappen grandstands in Formula 1, a VeeKay grandstand can also be built at Indianapolis.”
The three-part IndyCar documentary VeeKay will premiere on Friday, Feb. 10, and will be available only through Amazon Prime Video.
