ZOUTE GRAND PRIX CAR WEEK CONCLUDES ITS 17TH EDITION WITH 45 MILLION EUROS WORTH OF CARS SOLD AT TWO INTERNATIONAL AUCTIONS
A Belgian auction record of 5.1 million euros for a Ferrari, a royal visit and a successful inaugural event for the 4x4 Village in Heist: the Zoute Grand Prix Car Week 2026 looks back on an exceptional event.
KNOKKE-HEIST, 11 OCTOBER 2026 | With a staggering 45 million euros’ worth of cars sold at two international car auctions and a Ferrari going under the hammer for a record sum of 5.1 million euros, the Zoute Grand Prix Car Week has brought its 17th edition to a close with impressive figures. For five days, Knokke-Heist was the scene of exclusive dream cars, spectacular rallies and numerous Belgian and European premieres. Other highlights of this year’s event included the royal visit by HRH Princess Claire, the 65,000 euros raised during the gala evening in aid of the Queen Paola Foundation, and the successful launch of the new 4x4 Village in Heist. This new feature also fulfilled the ambition of spreading the event across the whole of Knokke-Heist.
Two international car auctions, totalling 45 million euros and setting a new Belgian record
The two prestigious auction houses, Broad Arrow and Bonhams, achieved an impressive total of 45 million euros from car sales. On Friday evening, Broad Arrow also made Belgian auction history. A 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari went under the hammer for 5.1 million euros – immediately setting the record for the highest price ever paid at a car auction in this country. At the Zoute Sale by Bonhams on Sunday, too, exceptional collector’s cars went under the hammer, with a 1970 Lamborghini Miura P400S changing hands for no less than 1,725,000. With these results, Knokke-Heist reaffirms its international appeal amongst collectors.
Princess Claire as guest of honour and 65,000 euros for the Queen Paola Foundation
Another special moment was the presence of HRH Princess Claire, who made an appearance on Saturday at the finish of the Zoute Classic Rally by ASL on the Zeedijk. The Princess was present in her capacity as honorary chair of the Queen Paola Foundation and also attended the gala evening that followed. During the evening, a charity auction raised no less than 65,000 euros. The entire sum will go to the organisation, which supports children and young people in vulnerable situations.
Nieuwe 4x4 Village in Heist meteen een schot in de roos
De introductie van het 4x4 Village by Mazu op het strand van Heist bleek vanaf zijn eerste editie een schot in de roos. Bezoekers konden er exclusieve terreinwagens bewonderen en hun offroadcapaciteiten ontdekken op een speciaal aangelegd parcours. Ook de 4x4 Rally op zaterdag viel in de smaak bij de deelnemers, die zowel hun wagen als hun eigen stuurmanskunsten op de proef konden stellen.
Five days packed with highlights
The rest of the programme also offered plenty of spectacle for the many visitors who had made their way to Knokke-Heist. On Wednesday, more than 100 iconic cars from the period 1976–2005 lined up at the start of the second Zoute Iconic Rally by Integra Private Equity. That same day, familiar faces from the worlds of sport and entertainment took part in a light-hearted sprint race on the Zeedijk. Organiser Marc Coucke also had a go, with Michael Verschueren at the wheel. The duo didn’t clock the fastest time, but there was no shortage of enthusiasm. Meanwhile, in the Gallery by EY on Albertplein, visitors were able to admire exclusive dream cars, including the Ferrari F80 and numerous Belgian and European premieres.
On Saturday morning, another surprise awaited on the Zeedijk. At the start of the Zoute GT Tour by Curbstone, no fewer than four exceptional Koenigsegg hypercars from Esser Automotive made an appearance. Three of them actually took part in the rally. The Koenigsegg One:1, Jesko Attack, Agera R and CC850 together boast a power output of no less than 5,458 pk and a value of over 20 million euros. A rare spectacle, as these exclusive Swedish hypercars are hardly ever seen together on public roads.
Even the youngest car enthusiasts were in for a treat with the Zoute Kids Rally by Broad Arrow on Saturday and the Zoute Kids Concours by Broad Arrow on Sunday. The presentation of the Best of Show Awards during the Zoute Concours d’Élégance by ING Private Banking provided a stylish finale to the five-day event.
