Ardenne Rally Festival When authenticity meets a stellar entry list
The 2025 Ardenne Rally Festival is set to showcase the most impressive starting field to date, featuring many high-quality replicas that pay tribute to the greatest drivers and teams in rallying history. These replicas will compete alongside purely authentic cars, some of which boast remarkable pedigrees.
Fans visiting the Vresse-sur-Semois region from Thursday, May 1st, to Saturday, May 3rd, will therefore have the opportunity to admire cars that truly defined their eras, either on the starting podium or on the special stages.
From the 70s the Opel Kadett GT/E Group 1 which was then driven by Fabrizia Pons, before she later became a famous co-driver. The Audi Quattro Gr.4 from 1980 entered by Patrick Spillebeen is an ex-Marc Duez/Willy Lux, while the A1 version of the German Wolf-Dieter Ihle was previously driven by multiple American champion John Buffum.
The Group B era will also be well-represented, with Reinhard Klein bringing the MG Metro 6R4, once raced by Tony Pond. In Group A, Nicky Grist will compete in an authentic Toyota Celica GT-Four ST185, formerly part of the Toyota Team Europe, and driven by legends such as Carlos Sainz, Juha Kankkunen, and Didier Auriol! The Subaru Impreza 555 Gr.A of Dutch driver Marc Schippers, an ex-Colin McRae car, will also make an appearance. Additionally, Arnold Van Der Smeede’s Ford Escort RS Cosworth Gr.N, in Kärcher colours, was previously driven by Uwe Nittel.
Vincent Verstraete will showcase a Ford Escort WRC 1997, previously raced by Patrick Snijers in the well-known Bastos livery. German driver Franz Koob will present a Fiat Punto S1600 from 2004, once driven by Giandomenico Basso. Rounding out this impressive lineup is Eric Cunin, with the Skoda Fabia WRC 2006 that François Duval used to win the Condroz Rally.
It’s evident that the 2025 edition of the Ardenne Rally Festival will be more prestigious than ever. Don’t miss this exciting event in the picturesque Vresse-sur-Semois!
