The 26th edition of the Zoute Grand Prix managed to surprise us again. Last year, the organisers added several new features (a new second auctioneer and the return of the Concours) that they kept this year too, but they added something we have seen before. They explore new roads, or, put better, they left the roads to offer an all-new off-road experience on a new dirt track.
Zoute offers enough spectacle for five days
This year, we tried our luck on Friday for a full day. We could have done even more if we had attended the other days. The organisers assembled a complete five-day extravaganza with a new face each day. This is the time plan announced in advance, and may be subject to changes. But you get the picture : ).
Wednesday, 7 October
08:15–11:40 | Zoute Iconic Rally by Integra Private Equity – Scrutineering
09:00–10:00 | Gallery by EY | Press Conference & Official Opening of Zoute Grand
Prix Car Week
12:30–15:00 | Gallery by EY | Influencer Sprint Race with Marc Coucke
10:00 | Zoute Iconic Rally by Integra Private Equity – Start
10:00–18:00 | 4×4 Village by MAZU | 4×4 Activation – Performance Tests
10:00–18:00 | Green Grounds | Broad Arrow Viewing
10:00–20:00 | Gallery by EY | Gallery Viewing – New Cars on Display
10:00–20:00 | Marquee | Bonhams Viewing
16:50–18:15 | Zoute Iconic Rally by Integra Private Equity – Arrival
Thursday, 8 October
10:00–15:00 | Zoute Classic Rally by ASL Group – Scrutineering
10:00–18:00 | 4×4 Village by MAZU | 4×4 Activation – Performance Tests
10:00–18:00 | Green Grounds | Broad Arrow Viewing
10:00–18:00 | Marquee | Bonhams Viewing
10:00–20:00 | Gallery by EY | Gallery Viewing – New Cars on Display
17:00–19:00 | Zoute Classic Rally by ASL Group – Arrival
Friday, 9 October
09:00–11:00 | Zoute Classic Rally by ASL Group – Start
10:00–18:00 | 4×4 Village by MAZU | 4×4 Activation – Performance Tests
10:00–18:00 | Green Grounds | Broad Arrow Viewing
10:00–20:00 | Gallery by EY | Gallery Viewing – New Cars on Display
10:00–20:00 | Marquee | Bonhams Viewing
15:00–20:00 | Green Grounds | Zoute Concours Auction by Broad Arrow
17:30–18:00 | Marquee | Ferrari Drivers Event
Saturday, 10 October
09:00–11:00 | Gallery by EY | ZOUTE GT Tour by Curbstone – Start
09:00–15:30 | 4×4 Village by MAZU | 4×4 Activation – Performance Tests
09:00–18:00 | Marquee | Bonhams Viewing
09:00–20:00 | Gallery by EY | Gallery Viewing – New Cars on Display
11:00–14:00 | Gallery by EY | ZOUTE KIDS RALLY by Broad Arrow
11:00–18:00 | Green Grounds | Zoute Concours d’Elegance by ING Private Banking
16:00–17:00 | Marquee | Zoute Classic Rally by ASL Group – Pitstop
17:00–19:00 | Zoute Classic Rally by ASL Group – Arrival
17:00–19:00 | ZOUTE 4×4 RALLY by Gommaire – Arrival
Sunday, 11 October
09:00–11:00 | Gallery by EY | ZOUTE GT Tour by Curbstone – Start
09:00–18:00 | 4×4 Village by MAZU | 4×4 Viewing
09:00–18:00 | 4×4 Village by MAZU | 4×4 Activation – Performance Tests
09:00–18:00 | Green Grounds | Zoute Concours d’Elegance by ING Private Banking
09:00–20:00 | Gallery by EY | Gallery Viewing – New Cars on Display
09:00–20:00 | Marquee | Bonhams Viewing
11:00–12:00 | Green Grounds | Best of Show Award – Zoute Concours d’Elegance by ING Private Banking
12:00–14:00 | Gallery by EY | ZOUTE KIDS CONCOURS by Broad Arrow
13:00–17:00 | Marquee | The Zoute Sale by Bonhams
16:00–17:00 | Marquee | ZOUTE GT Tour by Curbstone – Pitstop
17:00–19:00 | ZOUTE GT Tour by Curbstone – Arrival
As you can see, the event offers a diverse variety of programs encompassing a classic car regularity Rallye, a GT Tour (for sports cars and supercars), an indoor car expo (the traditional car show but with high-end cars), and since last year, two auctions, run by Bonhams and Broad Arrow. Between the start and finish of the rallies, special programmes further colour the programme, like the launch of the Ferrari club we witnessed on Friday.
Some of these events are public, such as the start/arrival parade, and the new cars exhibited on the beachside boardwalk, or the grand tours of classic and GT cars in the neighbouring cities, which are also accessible without a ticket. Other sights may require additional investment from spectators. The Concours access ticket costs 31 euros this year, but ticket prices can get even higher, with high-end hospitality tickets going well above 200 euros.
The Knokke Heist is a good location, even if it tends to live up to its name…
The event is hosted by Knokke Heist, the posh coastal town in Flanders. The fancy seaside boardwalk is the event’s focal point, with 4 distinct locations spread over about 4 km, so it’s worth taking the shuttles that connect the main spots.
Over the five days, the city is filled with supercars and classics, parked everywhere in the centre, but the road behind the waterfront houses (the Kustlaan) hosts supercars in glass boxes or parked next to high-end shops. But beware of tourist traps like the 70 euro parking two years ago. The city is called Heist for a good reason…
The 4×4 Village takes visitors down new avenues, or off them…
This year’s new location is a 4×4 dirt and obstacle track where we can test the climbing capabilities of a few selected off-road vehicles. Officially called 4×4 Village by MAZU, it’s located on the beachside at Anemonenlaan 1, 8301 Heist.
Set amid the sandy landscape and luxurious Sahara tent, the track puts the premium outdoor experience centre stage. The organisers lined up seven brands: INEOS, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Defender, Bentley, Lamborghini and Porsche.
Each showcases some of its most capable 4×4 special editions in the tent and provides a test car, giving visitors the opportunity to discover the versatility and performance of these automotive icons in their natural habitat (driven by professionals). The specially designed off-road course with obstacles lets the public experience firsthand what these vehicles can do beyond the tarmac.
The Marquee offers a revolving door of spectacles.
The next hotspot is in the city centre: the location marked on the map as Marquee hosts several spectacles. On the beach, the event’s primary auctioneer, Bonhams, set up a pavilion showcasing rare, expensive cars and automotive memorabilia.
As tradition dictates, Bonhams’ Zoute Sale will take place on Sunday, as the grand finale of Zoute Grand Prix Car Week. Before going under the hammer, the cars are on public display for the five days in the Marquee, a stylish beach pavilion set up opposite the iconic casino.
Bonhams filled its Pavilion with dozens of masterpieces.
The Bonhams Pavilion is located close to the Grand Casino, which hosts luxury car trader AECars this year.
The parking lots around the Casino also served as the departure parking for clubs, like the Ferrari Club, that was launched at the podium built by the Bonhams tent.
As they left, Supercars from other brands (notably Lotus and McLaren) filled the parking lot. We also spotted a few Maserati cars parked on the other side, before the Maserati club launched its cars from the official podium by the Gallery.
The beach is a car show on its own
From here, we took a pleasant walk along the shore, marvelling at a selection of cars displayed on podiums from brands that exhibited in the Gallery or just wanted to use the publicity. The roster included fairly accessible cars, and we couldn’t help but notice the surge of Chinese brands.
Altogether, we felt that this ad hoc car show fell behind last year’s event in terms of cars exhibited. The photos equally reflect the more subtle offering and the lack of colours, but it is still a welcome programme and a key spectacle for those who didn’t buy a ticket to the Gallery.
The Gallery is a car show like nothing on the continent.
Those who follow the cars on the beachside podiums will reach the heart of the event, the Gallery, offering a wide range of hospitality and catering services.
The beach pavilion brings together dream cars from 23 contemporary automotive partners, showcasing their latest and most striking designs alongside cutting-edge technological innovations.
This is a pure luxury expo, with brands ranging from Alpine, BMW, and Mercedes (strictly luxury high-end models) to unique high-end cars. Literally, the sky is the limit, as we even saw booths from private jet companies.
The brands include small high-end brands like Apollo, Koenigsegg, Pagani, Rimac or Ruf;
premium brands like Alpine, Lotus, Polestar, or upcoming Chinese manufacturer Denza;
and luxury brands like Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, McLaren, Porsche, Range Rover, or Rolls-Royce.
The organisers promised several premiere cars that have never before been shown to the European and Belgian public.
Broad Arrow’s auction was aiming high.
As last year, Zoute invited two leading international auction houses, each presenting an exceptional selection of collector cars that attract buyers and enthusiasts from around the world. Together, the two auctions generated more than €41 million in sales last year, with strong sell-through rates for both houses, so expectations are high.
This year, Broad Arrow is back and aiming to rival Bonhams. From Wednesday to Friday, collectors, connoisseurs, and automotive enthusiasts can discover an outstanding selection of rare classics, modern icons, and exceptional automobiles at Knokke’s minigolf track. The Auction takes place on Friday, and the cars will be moved to make way for the Concours.
The Concours d’elegance returns, though not to the same level as the peak event of 2022.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Mini Golf club in Knokke-Heist provides the setting for this concours with a long-standing tradition. Around 70 historic cars, divided into nine categories, are brought together and judged on their historical significance, craftsmanship, elegance, and authenticity. An international jury will assess the participating cars, culminating in the presentation of the prestigious Best of Show Award on Sunday.
