gt tour knokke

Zoute Grand Prix 2024

Every year, the chic seaside resort of Knokke-Heist on the Belgian coast transforms into a paradise for car enthusiasts during the Zoute Grand Prix . This prestigious event is a four-day celebration of classic cars and luxury sports cars, perfectly complementing the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Knokke-Heist .

A Spectacular Car Experience

The Zoute Grand Prix is not just any car show. It's a vibrant experience that attracts enthusiasts and collectors from all over the world. From historic vintage cars to the latest models from luxury brands, there's something for every car lover.

Highlights of the Event

• GT Tour: A unique opportunity to see the latest luxury sports cars in action as they drive through the picturesque streets of Knokke-Heist .
• Zoute Gallery: This event (formerly the Concours d'Élégance) showcases some of the most rare and beautifully restored classic cars in a setting of unparalleled beauty.
• Zoute Sale: An exclusive car auction where collectors can purchase unique and rare cars.
• Prado Zoute: An exhibition of the latest models from the world's leading luxury car brands.

More than Just Cars

While cars are the focus of the Zoute Grand Prix , the event also offers a range of other activities. From exclusive parties and gourmet experiences to pop-up boutiques and art galleries, there's plenty to see and do for everyone, even if you're not a car enthusiast.

Thursday 3 – Sunday 6 October 2024 .

Albertplein, Zeedijk, Knokke-Heist

zoutegrandprix.be

Practical Information

• Location: Various locations in Knokke-Heist , including the famous Zeedijk .
• Date: Usually in October, but it's recommended to check the official website for exact dates.

Tips for Visitors

• Book accommodation well in advance , as Knokke-Heist can be very busy during the event.
• Wear comfortable shoes; you'll be doing a lot of walking and standing.

The Zoute Grand Prix in Knokke-Heist is much more than just a car exhibition; it's a celebration of luxury, style, and history. Whether you're a passionate car enthusiast or just want to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, this event is a must-visit when traveling to the Belgian coast.

Contact information organizer Zoute Grand Prix

Zoute Grand Prix url: zoutegrandprix.be

Other events in Knokke-Heist

• Tractorpulling Cadzand; 
• Zoute Grand Prix; Thursday 3 – Sunday 6 October 2024
• Cartoonfestival; 
• Christmas market & ice rink; Early December to early January
• International Fireworks Festival; Saturday 24 August 2024
• Folkloremarkt; 

Belgium’s Zoute GP is Europe’s best-kept classic car secret

WORDS: ELLIOTT HUGHES | PHOTOS: ZOUTE GRAND PRIX/ELLIOTT HUGHES

Boats aren’t the only thing the Belgian seaside town of Knokke-Heist is harbouring – it’s also home to one of Europe’s best classic and collector car events: the Zoute Grand Prix, held this year on October 6-9. So, it’s curious that many of us in the Anglosphere know so little about it, particularly as it’s only a train ride away if you live within the UK. 

The Zoute Grand Prix’s proximity to the UK makes its relative obscurity to those not on the Continent all the more bewildering. So, when the Zoute Grand Prix organisers invited Magneto to attend the event, I eagerly booked train tickets, packed my bags and set my alarm, curious about the days ahead. 

I arrived bleary eyed at Knokke-Heist’s small and unassuming railway station on Friday at about midday. There was little to suggest that one of Europe’s largest car events was happening just 2.5km away as I waited in autumnal sunshine for a taxi. Only the sporadic passing of an interesting car offered a clue: first an E-type, then an Audi R8, then a Ferrari F430.

A local described Knokke-Heist’s Zoute suburb as “the Monaco of the north”, which sounds a little acerbic to someone from the UK, but in this case, it’s deserved. The heart of the event is nestled against the beach and consists of Prado – effectively a highly luxurious auto salon – and a gigantic Bonhams auction tent. Meanwhile, the opulent Royal Zoute Golf Club hosts an impressive selection of classics for the concours d’elegance, while the surrounding roads are repurposed and lined with chequered flags and hay bales for the regularity rally and more relaxed ‘Balade’ GT tour. 

First on the agenda was a recce of the VIP-only Prado auto salon. Lining the entrance were two large sculptures that hinted towards Zoute’s standing as one of Europe’s cultural and artistic hubs; 85 art galleries can be found within the walkable ‘Golden Triangle’ of the suburb.

Donning the appropriately coloured wristband, I was taken for a tour of Prado with the event’s PR man Frédéric De Gazelle. Twenty-one brands had stands within, ranging from prestigious automotive marques such as Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Ruf and DeTomaso, to private jet manufacturers.

Experiencing Prado made it obvious why large, public auto salons such as Paris and Geneva are sadly waning in popularity; many Prado attendees are serious buyers and collectors who wish to experience the manufacturers’ latest cars up-close, unobstructed by stanchions and the usual hustle and bustle of the smartphone-wielding masses. The cars in Prado were all suitably high-end, unlocked and uncrowded, and Champagne and gourmet food was offered liberally to the 10,000 VIP visitors.  

Highlights of the Prado tent included the first production-spec DeTomaso P72, a Ruf SCR, Rimac Nevera, Bugatti Mistral, Ferrari 296GTB, Dallara Stradale, Alpine A521 F1 car and the European debut of the Lamborghini Urus Performante. Audi’s stand was also a must-see; its latest Audi A6 e-Tron concept was not immediately visible, until an amiable French robot appeared to chaperone visitors to the car.

Next on the agenda was a stroll along the picturesque promenade lined with supercars on plinths to Bonhams’ massive auction tent. 2022 is the company’s tenth year as Zoute Grand Prix’s official auction partner, and its sales totals have continued to climb in that period. In 2021, Zoute brought Bonhams €12.3m in total sales, while this year’s figure came to €25m at an impressive 95 percent sell-through rate. Indeed, Bonhams expects Zoute to become its biggest sales event in Europe.

It was easy to see why when perusing the 85-lot catalogue in-person. Headlining the sale were the two cars sat line abreast on the auction stage: a 1957 BMW 507 Series 1 Roadster and a 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO that once belonged to former F1 team owner Walter Wolf. The BMW led the individual sales totals, crossing the block for €2,093,000, but Walter Wolf’s former Ferrari failed to sell, falling just short of its low pre-auction estimate of €3,700,000.  

There were plenty of highlights to be found away from the sale’s headline cars, whatever your personal taste may be – a pair of particularly special Citroën 2CVs being one notable example. One was a rare and coveted 1964 Sahara AZ 4×4 (€77,625), and the other was a 1990 2CV6 Club (€31,050) bearing just 16km on the odometer, with its protective plastic still sheathing the front seats. 

The catalogue also boasted a duo of some of the rarest coachbuilt shooting brakes in existence. Leading the pair was the one-of-a-kind 2015 Rolls-Royce Silver Spectre, which sold above its top estimate at €368,000. The car began life as a Wraith before its bodywork was converted to shooting brake specification by Carat Duchatelet in 2018 to 2020. One of only four Maserati Bellagio Fastback shooting brakes was similarly spectacular, and sold within its estimate at €168,000.  

Other highlights included one of three Bertone-bodied 1957 Jaguar XK150 3.8-litre Coupés (€862,500), one of nine ‘Sanction Lost’ 1957 Porsche-Zagato 356 Speedsters (€356,500), a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL (€1,380,000), 2004 Porsche Carrera GT (€1,380,000), Lamborghini Miura P400 (€1,115,000) and 2010 Ferrari 599GTO (€782,000). All except the Jaguar sold at or above their low estimates.

My visit to Bonhams was followed by a pleasant evening spent sampling one of Knokke-Heist’s gourmet restaurants – the town boasts five establishments with Michelin stars – before turning in ahead of Saturday morning’s visit to the Royal Zoute Golf Course for the concours d’elegance. 

Seventy-five of Europe’s most exceptional collector cars were carefully curated for the event, and judged by an expert panel of international experts on their originality, presentation and provenance. A rare 1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Vignale Coupé brought home the Best of Show silverware. A local car, it was first seen at the 1951 Brussels Motor Show and is one of the earliest Prancing Horses to be fitted with the legendary Colombo V12 engine produced from 1947 to 1988 – a fitting winner on the year of the marque’s 75th anniversary.  

Ferrari was well represented, with many of its most iconic models on display including the famous 1950 166MM that formerly belonged to Fiat president Gianni Agnelli, two 1992 F40s, a 1995 F50, 2004 360 Challenge Stradale and 1979 512 BB LM that raced at the Le Mans 24 Hours, among many others. 

A personal highlight was the display of two replica Auto Union Grand Prix cars in celebration of the marque’s 90th anniversary. One recreation was of the 1936 Type-C ‘Bergrennwagen’ (hillracer), complete with its fearsome 512bhp 6.0-litre supercharged V16 engine and six wheels. This was complemented by a 1939 Type-D, which retained the recalcitrant handling characteristics of its predecessor, albeit to a slightly lesser extent thanks to its downsized supercharged 3.0-litre V12.

Ferdinand Porsche was heavily involved in the development of Auto Union’s pre-war Grand Prix operation, and the work of his son, Ferry, could be seen in a remarkable display charting the evolution of the Porsche Speedster, from 356 to present-day 911. 

Plenty of more contemporary cars on display were equally memorable, and included two Bugatti EB110 GTs, a classic Lamborghini Countach LP5000 QV and 2021 Countach LPI800-4, a Detomaso P72 prototype and a Honda NSX.

The streets were jam-packed when Saturday afternoon arrived, as many of the 300,000 visitors sought to catch a glimpse of the 225 historic cars participating in the Zoute Rally. Open to cars manufactured before 1965, the rally was the genesis of the entire event, and remains as popular as ever with participants and spectators alike. And for good reason: witnessing legendary cars such as pre-war Bentleys, Porsche 356s, Jaguar E-types, BMW 328s and AC Cobras driven as they were intended is a rare and special treat. The regularity rally for historic cars was complemented by the GT Tour, which brought dozens of the latest supercars onto the streets, much to thousands of enthusiasts’ delight.

As we said, both the town of Knokke-Heist and its Zoute Grand Prix are underappreciated outside of mainland Europe – particularly by Britons, who are a relative stone’s throw away. But with a top-class concours, two-day rally event, auction, great food and unique surroundings, it’s a special event that’s sure to attract even more visitors than the 300,000 who flocked there this year.

The 14th edition of the Zoute Grand Prix will be held on October 5-8, 2023. More information can be found here .

Never miss out on the latest classic car news from Magneto, subscribe today!

Get Magneto Magazine straight from publication to your door with a subscription.

Related Articles

50 years of Historic racing at Laguna Seca to be celebrated at Monterey Motorsports Reunion

More than 400 cars set to star in 50-year anniversary celebrations for Laguna Seca, at August’s Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion in California, US.

Antique Brass Era cars hit open road for Audrain Veteran Car Tour 2024

Steely enthusiasts take on 50-mile Audrain Veteran Car Tour in pre-1908 motor cars, following Bonhams’ Gilded Age sale in Rhode Island, US.

Inaugural Air|Water event sees more than 1000 Porsches come out to play

Wide-ranging exhibition to celebrate 75 years of Porsche sees more than 11,000 marque enthusiasts head to Luftgekühlt-organised event in Southern California.

Start your subscription today

Enjoy four issues of the award-winning Magneto magazine delivered directly to you door

Zoute Grand Prix is a car fest like no other at a pristine Belgian beachside town

Amy Serafin takes to the well-heeled streets of Knokke-Heist to experience the Zoute Grand Prix, its annual cavalcade of classic car-related events, from a rally to an auction

• Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

So you want to be an Instagram star? Consider investing in a vintage Fiat 500 Jolly beach car. An adorable sky-blue model from 1959, with wicker seats and an open roof, went up for auction at this year’s Zoute Sale in Knokke-Heist, Belgium. Prior to the sale, it took a few last trips through town, as delighted bystanders smiled, waved, and snapped photos galore.

1959 Fiat Jolly Beach Car

The beach community known as Knokke Le Zoute was having one of the year’s busiest weekends, thanks to the annual Zoute Grand Prix, a four-day high-end car, art, and lifestyle festival in early October that includes a BonhamsCars auction of vintage and classic cars, an exhibition of new top-of-the-line contemporary cars, a three-day classic car rally, and a GT tour.

Buckle up for the Zoute Grand Prix

Knokke-Heist, Belgium

The Fiat Jolly had competition for attention – seemingly every other car on the road that weekend was a collector’s item, and the quiet atmosphere was punctuated by the muscular growl of revving engines. At the luxury La Réserve hotel, teenage boys, ‘car spotters’, circled the parking lot, cameras in hand. A particularly excited group gathered to photograph a Bugatti Chiron with German plates. One spotter, from Luxembourg, explained that an alert about the car had gone out on social media. ‘You don’t see many like this,’ he said, kissing his fingers appreciatively.

Zoute Grand Prix 2023, Knokke-Heist, Belgium

But fine cars are never an unusual sight here; even a young woman working in the hotel lobby pulled out her phone to show off her family’s two Porsches. Asked whether anyone here drives a Subaru, she just laughed. ‘This is Knokke.’

Commonly referred to as Belgium’s Saint-Tropez, Knokke-Heist was settled at the beginning of the 20th century by three families who catered to British tourists by building a golf course, tennis courts, stables, and white villas with red tile roofs. 

The town's art deco Casino

Today, Knokke counts 33,000 inhabitants and 110,000 owners of second homes. Name a monarch or billionaire, and he (or she) is probably here. People are drawn not only by the favourable tax code, but also by 11km of sandy beach, high-end shopping, Michelin-starred restaurants, and a thriving art scene. The town’s art deco casino boasts an astonishing 360-degree mural by Belgian Surrealist René Magritte, measuring 70m wide by 7m tall (soon to be restored as part of a major facelift by TAB Architects and Barozzi Veiga ).

Part of the Magritte mural in the town's casino

The town contains 90 art galleries in just two square kilometres. Perhaps its most prestigious dealer is Guy Pieters, the Belgian son of a house painter who opened his first gallery in Knokke in 1981, knowing he would find collectors nearby. One of his longtime artists is Wolfgang Volz, Christo ’s exclusive photographer, who was in town to show his photos of the wrapped Arc de Triomphe . ‘I didn’t know how to spell Knokke,’ said Volz. ‘Now I’ve had about five solo exhibitions here.’

Wallpaper* Newsletter

Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox

Princess Delphine of Belgium drives a BMW 507 roadster ahead of a classic Porsche 911

Another artist in Knokke for the weekend was Princess Delphine of Belgium, only recently recognised as part of the royal family after her father, King Albert II, was obliged by the courts to take a DNA test. She drove the last leg of the auto rally in a BMW 507 roadster (lent by BMW from its heritage fleet), just like the one Elvis Presley acquired when doing his military service in Germany. 

A Mclaren 720S Spider, among the 250 cars entered for the rally

Female drivers were definitely a minority in the Zoute Rally, which attracted 250 historic cars and typically has a waiting list. A woman named Patricia, from Antwerp, took the wheel of a red 1963 Jaguar E-Type, while her male partner navigated. When asked why she got to drive, she smiled: ‘Because it’s my car.’

Classic cars line up at the start of the rally

The Zoute Grand Prix was founded in 2010 by two brothers, Filip and David Bourgoo, who owned an Audi-Bentley dealership. Believing that motor shows had grown too big and no longer attracted the right people, they displayed a new car in central Knokke, in front of the Louis Vuitton boutique. Sensing an opportunity, Ferrari asked them to build a marquee for its new products. Other brands followed. ‘Ten years ago, we had to beg to sell cars in Knokke,’ said Filip. ‘Now they’re queuing.’

Collector’s items, contemporary and classic

Static displays include the Mercedes Vision One-Eleven concept

Visitors paid €75 for a ticket to enter the Grand Prix’s two beachside pavilions. In the Prado Zoute pavilion, 21 car manufacturers showed their latest models, from the Lamborghini Revuelto to the Ferrari Purosangue four-seater. Around half were electric. The car drawing the biggest crowds was the fully electric Rolls-Royce Spectre that customers had just started receiving that very week. The beautiful beast weighed 3 tonnes, with a choice of 44,000 paint colours, and a price tag of €525,000. Product expert Ed Drake said that the car’s bespoke road sound (to alert pedestrians to its presence) was recorded by an orchestra imitating the sound of a Rolls-Royce accelerating.  

The rally took place across the wealthy beachside community

Tucked away among the collector cars was the new Rimac Nevera, the young Croatian brand’s first commercial automobile, which has set the record as the world’s fastest electric production car: 0-100 km/h in 1.81 seconds. Brand manager Bernard Van Bellingen said they sold one car this year – a special version, to a buyer in Belgium, for €2.4 million – and that the year’s second sale ‘will arrive’.

The rally also ventured out into the surrounding countryside

There are cars that people drive, and those that sit pretty. The latter, 96 collector cars, were on display in the Zoute Gallery pavilion. Many had barely ever touched asphalt. All of them hit the block on Sunday at BonhamsCars’ tenth annual Zoute Sale, which has quickly become one of the world’s most important auctions of rare collection cars. Ruinart Champagne flowed freely, poured by servers in Magritte-inspired bowler hats. 

1959 Ferrari 250 GT ‘Tour de France’, sold by BonhamsCars

Several cars (notably supercars and hypercars), sold for close to one million euros or more, receiving audience applause each time they hit the milestone. An immaculate 2014 Porsche 918 Spyder with less than 400km on the odometer doubled its bottom estimate to reach €1.2 million. ‘Who woulda thought?’ said the auctioneer, Maarten ten Holder, managing director of BonhamsCars, as it blew past one million.

A Jaguar XK120, one of the many cars on display

Surprising rarities included a 1997 SAAB EX prototype, a one-of-a-kind car made for the company’s 50th anniversary. A collection of eight different Aston Martins from 2010 were all painted the same tangerine orange colour – a special request by the original owner. A 1956 Bentley S-Type Continental was formerly driven by Helmut Newton. And a 1998 Aston Martin DB7 Volante once cradled J.Lo’s bottom in her ‘Love Don’t Cost a Thing’ music video. Love may be cheap, but this car ended up being a steal at just over €40,000.

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS

The star of the sale was a stunning beige 1959 Ferrari 250 GT ‘Tour de France’ with all original parts, owned for 37 years by Swiss racing driver Plinio Haas. It went for slightly below its estimate, €4.83 million (including premium), to a North American client, pushing the day’s total sales to more than €27 million, a record for BonhamsCars.

Once owned by Swiss racing driver Plinio Haas, the 1959 Ferrari went for a total of €4.83m

And the little blue Fiat Jolly? After a round of lively bidding, it sold for an impressive €155,250 to a bidder from the United Arab Emirates.

Zoute Grand Prix, ZouteGrandPrix.be , Cars.Bonhams.com

A 1950s Alfa Romeo Giulietta

A 1960s Maserati Mistral leads a Porsche 356

Porsche 356C

On the evening of the Met Gala 2024, Wallpaper* takes a tour of The Met’s latest Costume Institute exhibition, ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion’, a multi-sensory journey of sight, smell and touch

By Tilly Macalister-Smith Published 6 May 24

Mathieu Lehanneur unveiled his design for the Olympic Torch Relay Cauldron for Paris 2024 as the Torch Relay prepares to make its debut in Marseille on 8 May

By Rosa Bertoli Published 6 May 24

Pierre Huyghe delves into dystopia with 'Liminal', at Palazzo Grassi’s Punta della Dogana in Venice

By Amah-Rose Abrams Published 6 May 24

We've rounded up new and updated offerings from Audi, Porsche, Ineos, Mini and more to keep tabs on the shifting sands of the mainstream car market

By Jonathan Bell Published 25 April 24

The new Aston Martin DBX707 has better tech, better design but the same raw power, keeping its spot at the top of the ultra-SUV tree

By Jonathan Bell Published 24 April 24

Aston Martin Ginza showroom is a two-storey space in The Peninsula Tokyo hotel and a new hub for the car maker

By Jonathan Bell Published 4 April 24

New concept the BMW Vision Neue Klasse X previews the next-generation ‘X’ models

By Jonathan Bell Published 21 March 24

The sophisticated new electric Fiat 600e sees the marque finally overcome its growing pains

By Guy Bird Published 17 March 24

BMW’s Art Car Project has rarely impacted on the company’s everyday business of building cars. With the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA, could all that be about to change?

By Jonathan Bell Published 2 March 24

In the world of restomod Italian cars, everything from 1960s race cars to cult city vehicles can be restored, reshaped and updated for modern driving and fastidious collectors

By Jonathan Bell Published 27 February 24

The Aston Martin Vantage is a sports car with an authentic racing heritage, now upgraded and enhanced with new styling and fresh interiors

By Jonathan Bell Published 12 February 24

• Contact Future's experts
• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Cookies policy
• Advertise with us

Wallpaper* is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site . © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

• National Car Museums
• Factory Car Museums
• Public Car Museums
• Private Collections
• Brussels Car Show
• Paris Car Show
• Zoute Grand Prix
• Antwerp Concours
• Interclassics Maastricht
• Retromobile Paris
• Essen Techno Classica
• Interclassics Brussels
• Essen Motor Show
• Classic Car Races
• Aston Martin
• Lamborghini
• Pininfarina
• Rolls Royce
• Touring Superleggera

The Zoute GT Tour is an unforgettable experience for fans of supercars

We are crazy about car shows and we attended dozens of car events in the past 10 years. In all those times, we encountered quite a few aficionados like us, who were eagerly following the world of classic cars.

One of them is Inge Hollevoet , a.k.a. Car Pictures Lady, a hobby photographer who is passionate about photographing classic cars. She runs her own website CarPicturesLady and regularly posts new photos on her Facebook page about classic car events around Belgium. We regularly met at car shows and we started to follow her Facebook page. She published an extensive collection of photography on regional car events and we are happy that she provided us her favourite photos of the GT Tour. This is a part of Zoute that we somehow always missed so far.

The Zoute GT tour features modern dream cars, mostly high-performance sportscars with less than 20 years of age. The press package contained several hundred nominees, a dozen Aston Martins, two dozen Ferraris and three dozen Porsches (mostly coupés, only one or two SUVs in the field).

These modern cars occupied the beachside boardwalk of Knokke-Heist on Sunday, as the morning was dedicated to scrutineering. Once they were off, the cars went on tour in the wider region until their return to Knokke-Heist.

Some of the route was kept secret, including some roads in the Netherlands where not just photographers hunted them, but also local police. For a sure shot, there were also public points, offering a great spectacle for hobby photographers to try their equipment on fast-moving objects.

The gallery below consists of Inge’s favourite photos from the GT Tour. They were taken on the roadside at photography points, with the “wildlife photography” setting. We hope you will enjoy them.

Share this:

• granturismo
• Knokke-Heist
• Zoute Grand Prix 2023
• Zoute GT Tour

RELATED ARTICLES

Impressions from flanders collection cars 2024, the 2024 essen techno classica opened its gates today, bonhams’ auction had all the right ingredients in paris, leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Latest articles

Rm sotheby’s stole the show in paris, recent comments, editor picks.

POPULAR POSTS

The 10 best printed car ad of all time

The ultimate European automotive events calendar for 2019 – DECEMBER UPDATE

Minden idők 15 legjobb autós üldözése

Popular category.

• Classic car shows 122
• Museums 114
• Hungarian 77
• International Car Shows 63
• Rendezvények 45
• National Car Museums 44
• Factory car museum 44

Privacy Overview

JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website.

• Search: Search
• Classic cars for sale
• Sell a classic car
• Route & hotels
• Classic car auction
• Brand history

Zoute Grand Prix 2023

October 2023

Classic Cars For Sale >

The Zoute Grand Prix in Knokke-Heist is preparing for the next edition. It is an event associated with a sophisticated lifestyle where class, relaxation and sportsmanship are paramount. The Zoute Grand Prix is ​​back in October 2023 and will be the international event for the most beautiful car brands, both classic cars and new cars.

Every year, the event in Knokke attracts around 250,000 visitors from all over Europe. The Zoute Grand Prix organizes various activities such as a regularity rally, the GT Tour, an auction, the 'balade' and also a competition. The highlight for every classic car enthusiast is surely the Knokke rally. The rally consists of 200 teams that bring vehicles, the year of construction must be between 1920 and 1965. During the event, 2 rallies are organized at different speeds. In addition, the organizers of the Zoute Grand Prix in Knokke have big plans for the coming years. The program is further expanded with spectacular events. There is a Christmas rally, a women's rally and a competition in Durbuy. In short: there is plenty to do at this versatile event.

For an entrance ticket you pay about € 40 per person per day. For a parking ticket you pay € 10 per vehicle. Due to the long opening hours you can take a look around and enjoy all the activities that can be admired at the Zoute Grand Prix.

E&R Classics

Kleiweg 1 5145NA Waalwijk, The Netherlands

0031416751393

[email protected]

Industry No. 1302

• Buy a Classic Car
• Classic Cars in Europe
• American Classic Cars
• British Classic Cars
• French Classic Cars
• German Classic Cars
• Italian Classic Cars
• Swedish Classic Cars
• Classic Car Insurance
• Classic Car Clubs
• Classic Car Travel
• Classic Car Workshop
• Car brand watches

Classic car events

Classic car clubs

Classic car parts

OPEN Monday till Saturday 09:00 - 17:00 EXTRA OPEN First sunday of the month 10:00 - 14:00 December and January excepted

Officially Certified Company

Privacy disclaimer   Terms and conditions  

ZOUTE GRAND PRIX® CAR WEEK 2021

NEW: car week in the golden triangle.

Bruges, the ideal location for cars with a rich history.

Queen of Seaside Resorts is preparing for the GT TOUR®

Pr emium automobile & art dome.

ZOUTE GRAND PRIX® CAR WEEK 2021

Continue reading

Cartis Classic Car Experience story

June, the month of the convertible on leBolide.com

Why Rick Steves' Tour Guide Wishes Some 'Set Jetting' Tourists Would Just Stay Home

H ave you ever been so captivated by a film or television show that you felt compelled to travel and visit the locations where it was shot? You're not alone; this has become a significant trend, with many travelers favoring cinematically-inspired trips by adding Oscar-winning film locations to their itineraries . However, the phenomenon isn't without its critics. Cameron Hewitt, a Rick Steves tour guide , has expressed a wish that some set-jetting tourists would stay home, highlighting the complexities and consequences of this travel trend.

Although the term set-jetting was coined by New York Post journalist Gretchen Kelly in 2008, the concept is not new. For instance, Thailand's Khao Phing Kan and Khao Tapu in Phang Nga Bay were featured in the 1974 James Bond film "The Man With The Golden Gun." Since then, these locations have become renowned tourist destinations, now more popularly known as "James Bond Island." Do you see the problem?

Cameron Hewitt, a travel writer and tour guide, does. Despite being a thoughtful traveler and a film & TV enthusiast, he still harbors complex feelings about set-jetting. But one thing is clear: He has little patience for those who visit places solely because of their fandom or on-screen associations. This behavior is almost sacrilegious in the context of travel. Per Expedia findings, this phenomenon is becoming more common, especially since streamed movies and TV shows have become the primary source of travel inspiration, accounting for 40% and surpassing the influence of social media at 31%, via PR Newswire .

Read more: Anthony Bourdain's Perfect Advice For Spotting The Best Local Places To Eat

The Cultural And Economic Impacts Of Set-Jetting

While statistics highlight a noteworthy trend, set-jetting has negative implications — it often leads to a superficial engagement with local culture. Tourists might focus solely on visiting sites from specific scenes to get backdrops for photo-ops, overlooking the broader context of the area altogether. Hewitt shares a concerning example from a friend who is a tour guide in Dubrovnik, Croatia. (The city has seen such a surge in tourism, per EuroNews , 1.5 million in 2019, that local authorities have had to limit the number of visitors to preserve the city's historical integrity.) This guide often receives requests for exclusive "Game of Thrones" tours that deliberately exclude "that boring history or culture stuff." Such attitudes underscore how set-jetting can veer into cultural negligence and disrespect.

On the other hand, set-jetting typically helps otherwise overlooked destinations with a boost in income from a broader demographic of visitors. Hewitt himself says he's seen this happen. However, this benefit often lasts only as long as the show or film remains popular. As a result, significant fluctuations in set-jetting can create economic dependency for these places, potentially causing long-term harm when this influx declines. Take the town of Forks, Washington, which has marketed itself as "Twilight" Town.  This quiet, remote American town has become dependent on fans of the Twilight Saga without much else to offer or any sustainable tourism strategy for the future. What happens when all the tourists are gone?

The Environmental Impact And How To Remain A Respectful Set-Jetter

Finally, set-jetting can have serious and sometimes irreversible environmental consequences. As film and TV locations experience an influx of tourists following a project's success, they face overtourism, which strains local resources and damages natural landscapes. Thailand's Maya Beach had to close for three years in 2018 thanks to damage to the coral reefs and beach area caused by an unyielding influx of tourism due to the release of "The Beach" in 2000.

Ultimately, it's okay to be a set jetter, but you still have a responsibility as a traveler. Cameron Hewitt suggests making a key distinction: Is the location I'm seeing on screen "playing itself" or being recognized for its historical or cultural significance in reality? If so, your visit transcends mere set-jetting because you engage with the location's true nature. However, if the interest is purely fictional, it results in an ignorant disconnect from the cultural and historical reality. An example is Scotland's Harry Potter pilgrims who flock to ride the Hogwarts Express  without acknowledging, or even realizing, that its actual name is the Jacobite Steam Train.

Though it may disappoint traveling fans of pop culture, recognizing the problems associated with their pursuits is crucial. As a set jetter, Hewitt observes that "the best kind of set-jetting is when a piece of pop culture both attracts people to a new place and whets their appetite to learn more."

Read the original article on Explore