A Partnership with the Ars Mechanica Foundation to Celebrate Belgian Mechanical Engineering and FN

The Royal Automobile Club of Spa had announced it: for the second edition of the Ardennes Circuit Commemoration under its stewardship, an iconic brand would take centre stage. The time has now come to formalise a close collaboration with the Ars Mechanica Foundation to celebrate Belgian mechanical engineering through one of its most prestigious names: Fabrique Nationale, better known as FN.

On Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9, 2026, the Ardennes Circuit Commemoration will bring together numerous vintage cars and motorcycles in Bastogne, centred around the famous Place McAuliffe. Over the course of two days, participants will retrace the route of the legendary Circuit des Ardennes, held between 1902 and 1907 and widely regarded as the world's first closed-road motor race, long before the famous triangle linking Francorchamps, Malmedy and Stavelot.

In addition to this touring event, featuring a roadbook specifically designed for classic and vintage vehicles—whether on two wheels or four—and including scheduled stops in Libramont and Habay-la-Neuve, the Royal Automobile Club of Spa has decided to further enhance the activities centred around Place McAuliffe. An initiative sure to appeal not only to enthusiasts, but also to visitors attracted by the charms of Bastogne and the surrounding region.

"The 2025 edition of the Circuit des Ardennes Commemoration, the first organised by the Royal Automobile Club of Spa, was primarily a learning experience," explains Pierre Delettre on behalf of R.A.C. Spa. "The impressive Drivers' Club, housed in a large Berber tent, was a great success. It will return in 2026, and in an expanded format. We will also place particular emphasis on the quality of the hospitality offered to participants, notably with a live cooking demonstration by local chef Julien Lapraille, a familiar face on RTBF television and radio, upon their return to Bastogne on Saturday evening. As for the idea of complementing the dynamic Circuit des Ardennes with a high-quality exhibition, it quickly gained momentum."

This has led to a partnership with the Ars Mechanica Foundation, which showcases the industrial and artistic heritage of the FN Browning Group through 135 years of innovation and expertise. Naturally, FN's automobile and motorcycle production will be at the heart of the exhibition. Two motorcycles and three cars will be displayed in a setting worthy of the brand's historic prestige.

Participants and visitors to the Ardennes Circuit Commemoration will have the opportunity to discover—or rediscover—the 1936 FN M86 Luxe sidecar motorcycle and the 1957 FN M22 Cross 500cc World Championship-winning motorcycle, alongside a 1900 FN "De Cosmo", a 1926 FN 1300 Roadster and a 1926 FN racing car. This remarkable collection perfectly reflects the themes that attracted the attention of R.A.C. Spa when it revived the commemorative event.

"This partnership between the Ars Mechanica Foundation and the Ardennes Circuit Commemoration is a natural fit," comments Adrien Marnat, Managing Director of the Ars Mechanica Foundation and Heritage Director of the FN Browning Group. "By joining forces, we are celebrating the golden age of Belgian mechanical engineering. FN left a profound mark on the history of mobility through its exceptional motorcycles and automobiles. Bringing this technical expertise back to life at the heart of the world's oldest closed-road circuit is a vibrant tribute to our shared heritage. Seeing these exceptional machines return to the road, following in the footsteps of the pioneers of motor racing, offers a unique showcase for the ingenuity of the engineers and workers of the time, as well as for the entrepreneurial spirit that continues to inspire our industries today."

It should also be noted that participants arriving at the Ardennes Circuit Commemoration in an FN car or motorcycle will receive a complimentary copy of the deluxe book published by Ars Mechanica, recounting the history of Fabrique Nationale.

By welcoming these jewels of the Ars Mechanica Foundation and Fabrique Nationale to Bastogne, at the very heart of the Ardennes Circuit, the Royal Automobile Club of Spa reaffirms its ambition to make its summer event an essential fixture on the historic motoring calendar—prestigious, authentic and welcoming. And that is precisely what this partnership demonstrates.