Mike Verschuur

Openly gay Dutch race car driver Mike Verschuur (b. 1987) has competed in the prestigious Porsche Supercup (2008) and won the Eurocup Mégane Trophy series in 2009 and the Renault Cliocup in 2006.


“Many fellow drivers – not mentioning any names – have told me they are gay, too. But they dare not say so in public, which is a real pity, because there is nothing to fear. On the contrary, it has only made me stronger. It’s made me a better driver.”

In the 2012 Cliocup he set the two fastest times in qualifying heats, outpacing such luminaries as Marc Guillot, Rafael Villanueva and Robert Van den Berg. The son of celebrated driver Frans Verschuur, Mike grew up around cars, racetracks and the fellowship of the motorsport circuit. He drove his first course at age twelve and made his professional debut at age 15 in the Toyota Yaris Cup. Last year Mike drove a Chevrolet Camaro in the Dutch GT4 Championship, and at the tender age of 25 he already has a decade of experience under his belt.

Verschuur was one of 27 sports personalities to come out publicly during the first half of 2011. Others in that group included Dutch gymnast Jeffrey Wammes and Swedish national footballer Anton Hysen. The times, they are a changin'.