Zoute Grand Prix kicks off, hopes to break record of 400,000 visitors

This year's edition of the Zoute Grand Prix will take place from Thursday to Sunday on the beach of Knokke-Heist. The events include several rallies, a gala, an exhibition and an auction of unique cars.

This year, the event for classic and exclusive cars will take place in an 11,000 square metre beach pavilion, the 'Gallery'. That will house the eighty or so cars that will be auctioned on Sunday afternoon during the Zoute Sale by Bonhams. The pavilion will also host the Drivers' Club, where all the participants of the rally and the GT Tour will meet, and the Gala on Saturday evening, 5 October.

Car boulevard

For the first time, a 'car boulevard' has been set up on the seafront, where everyone will be able to see thirty special cars displayed according to three different themes. "There are the dreamcars, past meets future, where old and new models will be together, and the electric avenue, where electric cars will be on display,' says CEO Koen Van Hout.

The Zoute Grand Prix kicked off on Thursday with the 'scrutineering' of the cars taking part in the Zoute Rally. On Friday and Saturday, from 8 am, these cars will appear at the start of the rally.

Dream cars and auctions

On Sunday morning, the modern dream cars will get their turn, during the Zoute GT Tour. On the same day, the Bonhams auction will take place, where unique cars will be sold. A 1951 Ferrari 340 America Touring Berlinetta is up for sale and is expected to fetch between 3 and 4 million euros.

Organisers are already expecting large crowds this weekend. "We are very pleased with ticket sales and see that they are soaring thanks to the beautiful weather. We hope to break last year's record of 400,000 visitors," says Van Hout.

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