Circuit des Ardennes (motor racing)

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The Circuit des Ardennes was an annual auto race held at the Circuit de Bastogne, Bastogne, from 1902 to 1907. It was the first major race run on a closed circuit, rather than a journey from one city to another. The name later became associated with a rally included in Dutch and Belgian championships.

The first race in 1902, organized by Baron Pierre de Crawhez, covered six laps with cars divided into three classes racing at the same time. The Heavy class was won by Charles Jarrott driving a Panhard 70, the Light class by Louis Rigolly in a Gobron-Brillié, and the Voiturette class by Jean-Marie Corre in a Corre.

In 1903 the event was split into three separate races for the different classes. The Heavy class raced in the morning of June 22, the Light class in the afternoon, and the Voiturettes the next day on a circuit around Arlon.

For 1904 the Heavy and Light classes were combined again, but the Light class faded, with only one entry in 1905 and none in 1906. The Voiturettes race also returned in 1904 and 1905, held the day before the main race on the same circuit, but entries dwindled to just three starters in 1905.

In the final year, 1907, two races were held: one for cars conforming to Kaiserpreis regulations and a second two days later for Grand Prix cars.