The Shakedown by Incar Motor officially kicks off the Legend Boucles @ Bastogne 2026

This was the major new feature of the Legend Boucles @ Bastogne 2026! To allow interested competitors to cover a significant number of kilometers in representative conditions, a proper Shakedown was organized by the Royal Automobile Club of Spa, in close collaboration with Incar Motor Houffalize. A 2.8-kilometer course, alternating between asphalt and dirt, was laid out in the municipality, offering the inevitable minimal grip in the heart of winter.

Nearly fifty crews took advantage of the opportunity to complete multiple runs, including many top drivers. Among them were Cédric Cherain and Jasper Vermeulen (Ford Escort Mk2), Stéphane Lefebvre and Andy Malfoy (BMW M3 E30), Jos Verstappen and Renaud Jamoul (BMW M3 E30), and even Grégoire Munster and Raphaël Lekeu (Porsche 911), representing the main contenders for overall victory. They were joined by the BMW M3 E30 crews of Sébastien Incardona, William Reyntiens, and Yannick Panagiotis; Fred Bouvy’s 325i E30; the Escort Mk1s of John Wartique, Caren Burton, and Dominique Mathy; the Mk2 of Fred François and Thomas Carlier; Ghislain de Mévius and Olivier Meurens’ Mazda 323 4WD; Yannick Neuville’s Toyota Starlet; and many others.

This Shakedown by Incar Motor also gave Sarah Bovy the opportunity to experience the thrill of driving a historic rally car — even in the dark! Enough to keep the smile firmly on the face of the Iron Dames representative in Bastogne. There’s no doubt that Sarah, perfectly guided by her co-driver Aurélie Van Houdenhove, will quickly get to grips with a Ford Escort Mk1 that is anything but ordinary…

Following this aperitif, imbued with the typical ‘Legend Boucles’ atmosphere, the traditional Friday evening festivities are next on the agenda. These include an autograph session in Bastogne’s Place McAuliffe between 6:00 and 7:00 pm, followed by the Parade through the heart of the city, which is once again expected to attract a huge crowd. Earlier in the day, technical inspections will continue until mid-afternoon.

Without a doubt, the Legend Boucles @ Bastogne 2026 officially got underway this Thursday, and between now and Sunday evening, plenty of action awaits in the Bastogne region.