Two Ford works drivers at the start of Rally 4 Passion
Less than four weeks from the first Festival of this type ever organized in Belgium, the organizers of the Rally 4 Passion – Huy-Namur Rallye Festival (26th and 27th April) are pleased to announce that Grégoire Munster and Bruno Thiry will be at the start with a very powerful Ford Escort Cosworth Gr.A. An obvious reference to the career of the two Ford drivers, who defended the official colours of the manufacturer in the World Rally Championship with an interval of 30 years.
In 1994, after a brilliant season at the wheel of the Opel Astra Gr. A of Opel Team Belgium, Bruno Thiry signed his first contract as a factory driver in the World Rally Championship, driving a Ford Escort Cosworth Gr.A. Thirty years later, in 2024, Grégoire Munster is competing in his first WRC season in the colours of Ford and M-Sport, at the wheel of a works Ford Puma Rally1.
It’s something the organizers of Rally 4 Passion want to emphasize in the first Huy-Namur Rallye Festival, by bringing the two fast, and also popular and charismatic drivers at the start. Their cars? An aggressive and powerful machine that means a lot to many enthusiasts: the Ford Escort Cosworth Group A.
“We are very happy to welcome Bruno and Grégoire to our event”, states Yves Matton, the initiator of Rally 4 Passion. “Just like Robert Droogmans, driving a Porsche 911 Group 4 from his heyday, Grégoire and Bruno will be at the wheel of cars made available to them by MY Vintage: two very powerful Ford Escort Cosworth Gr.A.”
Both cars will be decorated in colours that will certainly bring back beautiful memories. « Indeed. The Escorts are not only spectacular, Bruno and Grégoire’s cars will also have an iconic livery which will certainly appeal to fans. In addition to the enjoyment of the drivers, who will certainly enjoy the ‘demo stages’ on Friday and Saturday, the pleasure of the fans is also very important to us. Given the list of participants who have already registered for the event, they will certainly be spoiled », Matton continues.
100 % show on Friday evening
The Rally 4 Passion runs over two days, starting spectacularly on Friday, April 26th. After an autograph session in the afternoon, at the podium of the Rallye de Wallonie in Jambes (Namur), the participants drive towards Huy to complete the demo stage of Ben-Ahin twice. The stage is entirely reserved for them and is – just like the rest of the event – completely free of any form of competition. Between the two stages, there is also a regroup in Ben-Ahin.
“Both participants and spectators will have a great time on this very spectacular stage”, continues Julien Frère, director of the event. “The infamous Moulin de Solières passage, with its gravel section and the surrounding entertainment, will probably attract the most people. Especially because this first part of the course revolves entirely around the show element. There is also plenty to see at a second famous spectacle point, the well-known Cabane of Ben-Ahin. It may be a warm-up of 22.88 kilometres (2 x 11.44 km), but participants and fans will certainly enjoy every second of it.”
The next day, on Saturday, April 27th, the participants of Rally 4 Passion will complete two complete loops as part of the Rallye de Wallonie, a round of the Belgian Rally Championship Division 1. They will complete the stages of Mohiville-Nettinne (14.85 km), Natoye (8.81 km), Crupet (11.38 km) and Wartet (6.98 km).
We would like to remind you that registrations are still open. The closing, after approval of the entry file, is set for April 15th.
Information and registration requests: www.r4p.be
