 Modern Circuit (2010–present) | |
| Location | Mettet,Belgium |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 50°18′14.51″N4°39′27″E / 50.3040306°N 4.65750°E /50.3040306; 4.65750 |
| Operator | Royal Union Motor Entre Sambre et Meuse |
| Opened | 1927 (as original circuit) 12 March 2010; 15 years ago (2010-03-12) (as modern circuit) |
| Major events | Former: FIA World Rallycross Championship World RX of Belgium (2014–2018) World RX of Benelux (2024) FIA European Rallycross Championship Euro RX of Belgium (2014–2018) Euro RX of Benelux (2023–present) TCR Benelux Series (2016–2017) Formula 750 (1975) |
| Modern Car Circuit (2010–present) | |
| Length | 2.310 km (1.435 mi) |
| Turns | 10 |
| Race lap record | 1:05.252 ( Norbert Michelisz,Honda Civic Type R TCR (FK2),2016,TCR) |
| Modern Bike Circuit (2010–present) | |
| Length | 2.280 km (1.417 mi) |
| Turns | 11 |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1949–1961) | |
| Length | 8.368 km (5.200 mi) |
| Turns | 8 |
| Race lap record | 3:17.000 ( Alberto Ascari,Ferrari 166 F2, 1950,F2) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1932–1948) | |
| Length | 8.500 km (5.282 mi) |
| Turns | 8 |
| Original St. Donat Circuit (1927–1948) | |
| Length | 2.800 km (1.740 mi) |
| Turns | 5 |
| Race lap record | Bastien Bultot |
TheCircuit Jules Tacheny Mettet is a 2.310 km (1.435 mi)motorsport racing circuit inMettet,Wallonia (Belgium), 20 km (12 mi) southeast ofCharleroi.[1] The circuit was finalized in 2010 near the oldstreet circuit.
During the early 1920s motorcycle racers started to race around a circuit composed of local streets surrounding the Belgian city ofMettet. The first motorcycle Grand Prix Entre Sambre et Meuse was held in 1928. Belgian driverAlbert Breslau won the first race on anAJS. The last edition of the original motorcycle Grand Prix of Mettet was run in 1937. AfterWorld War IIJules Tacheny was appointed president of the Royal Motor Union de l’Entre Sambre et Meuse (RMUESM). Tacheny won the Senior category of the first post-war version of the Grand Prix in 1946. The overall Grand Prix was won byRoger Laurent on aNorton.
In 1947 theFIM motorcycle racing governing body decided each country could only host one Grand Prix. Therefore, the titleBelgian motorcycle Grand Prix was awarded to the race atSpa-Francorchamps. The race at Mettet was renamed Circuit de l'Entre Sambre et Meuse in 1947 and the race was again renamed to "Grand Trophy". Legendary motor and auto racing driverJohn Surtees won the race in 1958 in the 350cc and 500cc classes.
Between 1972 and 1979 the street circuit hosted the Mettet 1000 km motorcycleendurance race.Jean-Claude Chemarin was the most successful rider of the Mettet endurance race, winning the event four times. The circuit also hosted the Belgian round of the1975 Formula 750 championship won byPatrick Pons. The street circuit was last used in 2006.
The RMUESM hosted non-championshipFormula Two races twice, in 1950 and 1951. In 1950 the first edition Grandee Trophée Entre Sambre et Meuse was held at the 7.387 km (4.590 mi) street circuit. Of the 24 competitors only ten drivers made it to the finish.Robert Manzon won the final race in his factory entered SimcaGordini Type 15.Stirling Moss andLance Macklin finished second and third in forHW Motors.[2] The second edition of the Grandee Trophée was again won by Manzon. Gordini completed the podium with factory driversAndré Simon andMaurice Trintignant finishing second and third.[3]
The new 2.310 km (1.435 mi) permanent circuit was opened on 12 March 2010. In the initial years Mettet was mostly used by motorcycle racers. The track was first used in theFIA European Rallycross Championship andFIA World Rallycross Championship in 2014.
As of October 2016, the fastest official race lap records of the Circuit Jules Tacheny Mettet are listed as:
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern Car Circuit: 2.310 km (2010–present)[4][5] | ||||
| TCR Touring Car | 1:05.252[6] | Norbert Michelisz | Honda Civic Type R TCR (FK2) | 2016 Mettet TCR Benelux round |
| Grand Prix Circuit: 8.368 km (1949–1961)[4][5] | ||||
| Formula Two | 3:17.000[7] | Alberto Ascari | Ferrari 166 F2 | 1950 Grandee Trophee Entre Sambre Et Meuse |
| Year | Heat 1 | Heat 2 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Alberto Ascari |  Stirling Moss |  Robert Manzon |
| 1951 | not contested | not contested | Robert Manzon |
| Season | Date | Driver | Car | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 12–13 July |  Toomas Heikkinen | Volkswagen Polo | report |
| 2015 | 16–17 May | Toomas Heikkinen | Volkswagen Polo | report |
| 2016 | 14–15 May |  Mattias Ekström | Audi S1 | report |
| 2017 | 13–14 May | Johan Kristoffersson | Volkswagen Polo GTI | report |
| 2018 | 11–13 May | Sébastien Loeb | Peugeot 208 | report |
Since 2019 the World RX of Belgium was renamed Spa World RX of Benelux and takes place at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.[9]
