A successful start for the Circuit des Ardennes Commemoration in R.A.C. Spa mode!

All the elements were in place... including the sun, which was more generous than ever! The first edition of the Commemoration of the Circuit des Ardennes, organised by the Royal Automobile Club of Spa, was a great success, with 130 cars and motorcycles from yesterday and the day before yesterday along a route enjoyed by all, but also with a large crowd in the heart of Bastogne on Sunday afternoon!

For the Royal Automobile Club of Spa, it was far from a sure thing. But in the end, the new version of the Circuit des Ardennes Commemoration delighted participants and spectators alike. A very promising sign for the future...

"It's clear that we were eagerly awaited by fans of classic and vintage cars, comments Pierre Delettre on behalf of the R.A.C. Spa. We come from a racing background, as our Legend Boucles @ Bastogne event clearly demonstrates, but with the annual Balade des Legend Boucles Bastogne, we also know how to give participants a great time on the region's most beautiful roads. In taking over from the organisation that created this Commemoration of the Circuit des Ardennes, we wanted above all to preserve this exceptional heritage, given that it is the first closed motor racing circuit in history, but also to bring a friendly and festive atmosphere to the event..."

On Friday evening, during the welcome ceremony, everyone was able to appreciate the decorum of Bastogne's McAuliffe Square, which looked more vintage than ever. On Saturday, the route taking motorcycles and cars to Saint-Hubert before returning to Bastogne was unanimously appreciated, as was the more compact route on Sunday, which featured a stop at Habay-la-Neuve, more popular than ever!

As soon as the participants returned to Bastogne in the early afternoon, the grand parade began in the town's main street, watched by a large crowd who were delighted to discover or rediscover these popular, prestigious and racing vehicles, pampered by enthusiasts who were always ready to share their passion.

"By welcoming popular cars such as the Renault 4CV, Peugeot 203, Fiat 500 and numerous small British cars, as well as prestigious vehicles such as Jaguar, Rolls-Royce, Daimler and others, very old ones such as the 1909 UNIC, which had no chance of going unnoticed, but also real racing cars such as the Bugatti Type 35c, the Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 and the Aston Martin Le Mans, we demonstrated great eclecticism, continues Pierre Delettre. This meant that everyone was able to enjoy themselves. Some of the owners of the oldest cars opted for the shorter “Pioneers” route, with a specific roadbook, and they thanked us for offering this alternative with fewer kilometres. We will obviously continue in this direction in order to satisfy as many people as possible..."

This means that the 2026 edition of the Commemoration of the Ardennes Circuit is already confirmed, even though the dates will be officially announced shortly. "As expected, this first edition has allowed us to understand a lot of things and already envisage a few changes, particularly in terms of timing. The aim is to take the event to the next level in terms of entertainment and to appeal to the general public, who turned out in force on Sunday afternoon. We can also announce that each future edition will have a theme, with a brand, model, etc. being showcased. This theme will obviously not be exclusive, as we really enjoyed the wide mix of genres in this first edition! Thank you to all the competitors, both in cars and on motorcycles, including Dakar rider Jérôme Martiny, a regional hero, who was with us on Saturday riding an original Messerschmitt tricycle. These participants placed their trust in us right from the start, and their enthusiasm was a pleasure to see and hear. Everyone's comments and criticisms have been noted, but what we will remember above all are the smiles on people's faces and the constant laughter. The Circuit des Ardennes Commemoration should not be just for specialists or experts, but an opportunity to immerse the general public in a wonderfully retro atmosphere..."

In short, see you next year, hoping for weather as summery as it was this past weekend…

Pictures : Sky4D – Jean-François & Jérôme Fiasse

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