The 2025 Sezoens Rally, held on 17 May in Bocholt, Belgium, delivered a compelling blend of technical challenge, spectacle, and drama, reaffirming its status as the nation’s most distinctive rally event. Now in its 48th year, the Sezoens Rally stands apart as Belgium’s only major rally to feature a substantial gravel component, with approximately 30% of its 294.87 km route unpaved, a rarity in a country better known for its tarmac events.
The rally’s format comprised 12 special stages totalling nearly 139 kilometres, interspersed with fast, narrow tarmac and the infamous “maaskiezel” gravel sections unique to North Limburg2. This combination demands a rare versatility from both drivers and machinery, rewarding those who can adapt their pace and technique as conditions change—often abruptly, given the region’s unpredictable weather.
From the opening stage in Gerdingen, it was clear that the 2025 edition would be fiercely contested. Jos Verstappen, partnered by Renaud Jamoul in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, quickly established himself as the benchmark, delivering a performance of remarkable consistency and aggression. Verstappen’s command of the gravel stages was particularly evident, where his commitment through the loose-surfaced corners drew audible appreciation from the crowds and set him apart from his rivals.
The event was punctuated by moments of high drama and technical brilliance, many of which have been widely shared in highlight reels and social media clips. Spectacular jumps and near-misses were a recurring theme, as drivers exploited every inch of the route’s undulating topography. The gravel sections, in particular, became a theatre for car control, with competitors executing dramatic slides and, on occasion, recovering from heart-stopping moments that teetered on the edge of disaster. The BMW and historic car entries, with their rear-wheel-drive antics, provided an extra layer of entertainment and nostalgia, their sideways style delighting the knowledgeable Belgian fans.
Not all competitors emerged unscathed. The rally’s attrition rate was a testament to its difficulty, with notable retirements such as Charles Munster and Patrick Snijers, both of whom succumbed to accidents on the demanding stages7. These incidents underscored the razor-thin margin for error on the Sezoens’ unforgiving gravel.
Beyond the competition, the Sezoens Rally is renowned for its convivial atmosphere. The event’s social dimension was on full display, from the Thursday evening padel tournament at the service park—an occasion marked by camaraderie and light-hearted rivalry—to the enthusiastic crowds that lined the stages, their applause and cheers providing a constant soundtrack to the action.
In summary, the 2025 Sezoens Rally was a masterclass in modern rallying: a contest of speed, adaptability, and nerve, set against the backdrop of Belgium’s most challenging rally terrain. Verstappen and Jamoul’s victory—his fourth consecutive in the BRC—was richly deserved, but the event’s true legacy lies in its ability to consistently deliver high drama, technical excellence, and a sense of community that few rallies can match
