The legendary duo reunited in a ‘Belgacom’ Ford Escort Cosworth Gr.A
A long-standing and iconic sponsor of Belgian rallying, Belgacom, will take centre stage at the 3rd Rally 4 Passion – Huy Rally Festival, notably with the famous colours of the Belgian telecoms operator adorning the Ford Escort Cosworth Gr.A to be shared by Grégoire de Mevius and Jean-Marc Fortin. A legendary duo is back together!
In the mid-1990s, the ‘Belgacom’ Ford Escort was an absolute fixture on the Belgian rally scene, with a packed programme for Grégoire de Mevius and Jean-Marc Fortin. For three seasons, the colours of Ford and the historic Belgian telecoms operator shone brightly, both in Belgium and in the World Rally Championship.
“I have fond memories of that time because, with the support of Belgacom and Ford Belgium, we had some truly fantastic programmes, covering both the Belgian Championship and rounds of the World Rally Championship,” recalls Grégoire de Mevius, who is also looking forward to returning to the Huy region. “I obviously have very special memories of the two editions of the Rallye du Condroz I competed in at the wheel of a Belgacom-liveried Escort Cosworth Gr.A. In 1995, on my debut with this car – which was absolutely brilliant fun and extremely competitive – I finished on the podium. The following year, the rally got off to a rather bad start as I crashed out during a test session. The team had brought a new car over from England and the paint wasn’t even dry when we went through scrutineering… Needless to say, I was quite stressed at the start. Fortunately, our fifth-place finish was enough to secure the Belgian title!”
A new experience for Grégoire
At the Rally 4 Passion – Huy Rally Festival, Grégoire de Mevius will have the pleasure of hearing the notes read out by his co-driver from back then, Jean-Marc Fortin: “I’m flattered that Jean-Marc has agreed to take on this challenge on home soil, and it will obviously bring back many memories. Thanks, of course, also to Yves Matton, who initiated this project to bring us together under these famous colours. I’m also keen to discover this Festival concept, which is becoming increasingly popular. Although I still compete in a few historic speed rallies each year at the wheel of cars restored by our small team, this will be a first for me in ‘demonstration’ mode. I can’t wait to be on the starting line!”
Belgacom everywhere
And that’s not all, as a Subaru Impreza WRC S5 in Belgacom colours will be on display during the Rally 4 Passion – Huy Rally Festival in the heart of the R4P Village, in the service park. And not just any car – this is one of the cars in which Grégoire de Mevius and Jean-Marc Fortin shone in 1998, notably winning the Boucles de Spa! The Belgian duo also put in a superb performance at the Rally of Portugal at the wheel of this car. It will be on display in the R4P Village in this Portuguese livery. Don’t miss this event on 18 and 19 September near Huy.