The Belgium Ypres Westhoek Rally (BYWR) founded by Frans Thévelin in 1965 is one of the most famous rallies in the European Rally Championship, the Belgian Rally Championship, the British Rally Championship, and the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

Ypres Rally
Lefebvre's car winning the race in 2024.
StatusActive
GenreMotorsporting event
FrequencyAnnual
Location(s)Ypres
Country Belgium
Inaugurated1965
Websiteypresrally.com

In its history, the rally has had some famous pilots and co-pilots participating, such as Didier Auriol, Colin McRae, Alister McRae, Juha Kankkunen, François Duval, Michèle Mouton, Jean Todt, Armin Schwarz and Ari Vatanen among others. It was hosted for 44 years by A.C. Targa Florio from 1965 till 2008. It is currently hosted by Super Stage under management of Alain Penasse. It was a round of the 2021 World Rally Championship and the 2022 World Rally Championship replacing the cancelled Rally GB.[1] [2]

Winners

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Year Driver Car
1965   Jean Pierre Vandermeersch Austin Cooper
1966   Hubert Saelens Lotus Elan
1967   "Hervé" Lotus Elan
1968   "Vandyck" BMW 2002
1969   Gilbert Staepelare Ford Cortina
1970   Gilbert Staepelare Ford Escort
1971   "Pedro" BMW 2002
1972   Gilbert Staepelare Ford Escort
1973   "Pedro" BMW 2002
1974   Gilbert Staepelare Ford Escort
1975   Bernard Mordacq Porsche Carrera
1976   Walter Röhrl Opel Kadett GT/E
1977   Bernard Darniche Lancia Stratos HF
1978   Tony Pond Triumph TR8
1979   Bernard Béguin Porsche Carrera
1980   Tony Pond Triumph TR8
1981   Jean-Claude Andruet Ferrari 308 GTB
1982   Marc Duez Porsche 911 SC
1983   Massimo Biasion Lancia 037 Rally
1984   Henri Toivonen Porsche 911 SC
1985   Jean Ragnotti Renault R5 Maxi Turbo
1986   Robert Droogmans Ford RS200
1987   Jimmy McRae Ford Sierra RS Cosworth
1988   Robert Droogmans Ford Sierra RS Cosworth
1989   Robert Droogmans Ford Sierra RS Cosworth
1990   Robert Droogmans Lancia Delta Integrale
1991   Patrick Snijers Ford Sierra Cosworth 4x4
1992   Patrick Snijers Ford Sierra Cosworth 4x4
1993   Patrick Snijers Ford Escort RS Cosworth
1994   Patrick Snijers Ford Escort RS Cosworth
1995   Renaud Verreydt Toyota Celica GT-Four
1996   Freddy Loix Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205
1997   Freddy Loix Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205
1998   Freddy Loix Toyota Corolla WRC
1999   Freddy Loix Mitsubishi Carisma GT
2000   Henrik Lundgaard Toyota Corolla WRC
2001   Pieter Tsjoen Toyota Corolla WRC
2002   Bruno Thiry Peugeot 206 WRC
2003   Bruno Thiry Peugeot 206 WRC
2004   Larry Cols Renault Clio S1600
2005   Kris Princen Renault Clio S1600
2006   Giandomenico Basso Fiat Punto Abarth S2000
2007   Luca Rossetti Peugeot 207 S2000
2008   Freddy Loix Peugeot 207 S2000
2009   Kris Meeke Peugeot 207 S2000
2010   Freddy Loix Škoda Fabia S2000
2011   Freddy Loix Škoda Fabia S2000
2012   Juho Hänninen Škoda Fabia S2000
2013   Freddy Loix Škoda Fabia S2000
2014   Freddy Loix Škoda Fabia S2000
2015   Freddy Loix Škoda Fabia R5
2016   Freddy Loix Škoda Fabia R5
2017   Kevin Abbring Peugeot 208 R5
2018   Thierry Neuville Hyundai i20 R5
2019   Craig Breen Volkswagen Polo GTI R5
2020 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021   Thierry Neuville Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC
2022   Ott Tänak Hyundai i20 N Rally1
2023   Adrien Fourmaux Ford Fiesta Rally2
2024   Stéphane Lefebvre Hyundai i20 N Rally2
Source:[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Belgium replaces UK on 2021 WRC calendar". www.motorsport.com. Archived from the original on 2021-01-12.
  2. ^ "Belgium added to 2022 FIA World Rally Championship".
  3. ^ "Ypres Rally". eWRC-results.com.
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