The crowds took Bastogne by storm!

The kick-off was definitely on a high note! For many years now the Friday evening has been one of the highlights of the Legend Boucles @ Bastogne. And the 2020 vintage definitely confirmed the well-founded rendezvous comprising an autograph session under the marquee of the Place McAuliffe, prior to the Parade of the cars through the town’s main artery. All this in the presence of an incredible crowd, with thousands of supporters, the curious and keen party fans.

It is true that the billboard of this 2020 edition is pretty enticing,  with near on 300 cars at the start (16 withdrawals were officially registered), and especially a battle that promises to be magnificent between the international contingent, with Kris Meeke (Escort), Mikko Hirvonen (Escort), Nicolas Ciamin (M3), but also the German Georg Berlandy (Kadett), and numerous stalwarts from the Belgian Rally Championship, with such names as Adrian Fernémont (Escort), Cédric Cherain (Escort), Sébastien Bedoret (Skoda 130) and Guillaume de Mévius (911). Obviously not forgetting the local hero Fred Caprasse (Escort), who appeared twice on the podium during these last two editions.

On the other hand such individuals as Bernard Munster (911), Jean-Pierre Van de Wauwer (Lancia Beta), Yves Matton (911), Renaud Verreydt (Escort) as also Fred Bouvy (911) will try everything to gain profit from their experience, and closely followed by Gino Bux (Escort), John Wartique (911), Harold de Hemptinne (Escort), Xavier Baugnet (Escort), Romain Delhez (Kadett), Stefaan Stouf (Escort), Romuald Thirion (Ascona A) and others.

It is this great mix of types and machines that pleases the general public at the Legend Boucles @ Bastogne, also seduced by the often rather original models which will be battling it out for victory in the ‘Challenger’, ‘Classic 60’ and ‘Classic 50’ categories. As for the fifteen odd machines in the ‘Demo’, they will thrill the enthusiasts and bring back memories in the history of the World Rally Championship.

Under the marquee on the Place McAuliffe, the radio commentator Bérénice and her co-driver Jennifer Hugo also enjoyed a fair amount of success, combining business with pleasure under the colours of Opération Pièces Rouges and achieving a fair slice of the visibility.

It is therefore in a party atmosphere that the first official Legend Boucles @ Bastogne 2020 day came to an end. On Saturday, even though the weather is forecast to be rather gloomy, the show will be on hand on the various Regularity Tests. First passage on the podium at 8.43hrs, after which the Demo-Legend-Challenger groups will tackle the Eoliennes tracks, whereas competitors entered in Classic 60 and Classic 50 will head for the Combes.

As a reminder, all information is to be found in the official programme to be bought for a democratic price of 10 euros, a programme also allowing one to enjoy all the resources of the official App of RAC Spa. Enjoy a great rally, one and all!