Since DG Sport launched the Ardenne Rally Festival in 2024, it has established itself as rallying’s premier showcase for historic icons. Non-competitive demo runs spotlight machines from rally’s golden eras, drawing owners and connoisseurs to Vresse-sur-Semois’ swift, technical asphalt along the Semois valley—universally lauded for its natural flow.
The third edition on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 May introduces a competitive twist: a full Belgian Rally Championship Division 2 round on Saturday, one of just three standalone D2 events not tied to Division 1.
Dual-Format Expansion
Florian Jupsin of DG Sport explained the evolution. “The historic demos remain central, but with infrastructure in place, we’ve expanded,” he said. “The Ardenne Rally Festival now doubles as a BRC D2 manche—echoing the former South Belgian Rally. Our one-day rally on these cherished stages will attract teams, especially since Rally2 and RGT cars can enter without scoring D2 points.”ardennerallyfestival+1
Entries for the BRC D2 component are open via the official site, with fees at €1100/€1250 (RC2/RGT until/after 27 April) and €900/€1000 for others. The route reuses South Belgian classics like Gedinne, Bohan, Oisy, and Bellefontaine—12 asphalt specials totalling ~152km from past layouts—centred at Espace Cognaut podium and Jambes service.
Historic Spectacle
Fridays focus on pure nostalgia: Group 2 Alfas, fearsome Group 4 Lancias, monstrous Group Bs (Audi Quattros, Peugeot 205 T16s), devilish Group As, and first-gen WRCs (Ford Focuses, Citroën Xsarás) parade sans timing. Past editions featured Belgian champions alongside internationals, fostering relaxed chats amid bucolic scenery—much like Eifel or Alsace festivals that inspired it.rallyonline+2
Expect seven decades of heritage, from 1960s gems to 1990s evolutions, in a competition-free zone that prioritises preservation and passion. Weather permitting, the Semois’ winding lanes amplify the theatre.
Championship Context
As BRC D2’s second round (after Rallye des Ardennes on 14 March), it slots before Ypres (27 June), Boucles Chevrotines (1 August), Omloop van Vlaanderen (4-5 September), and Spa (28 November). Rally2/RGT eligibility broadens appeal, while lower classes chase points in this gravel-lite asphalt test—ideal for historic-modern crossover.
Saturday 30 May promises a high-octane fusion: demos yielding to full-throttle D2 combat on the same revered roads. No doubt, the Semois region will host rallying’s highlight that weekend—a testament to DG Sport’s vision blending yesterday’s legends with tomorrow’s contenders.
