Circuit Jules Tacheny Mettet – Belgian Rallycross Circuit Guide
Originally published June 2017. Last updated September 2026: expanded Tier B circuit guide, facts table, table of contents, internal links, FAQ schema, and editorial refresh while preserving legacy narrative and images.
Circuit Jules Tacheny Mettet is a 2.28-kilometre permanent track in Namur province, Belgium, built in 2010 to replace a famous motorcycle street course that dated to the 1920s. The venue hosted the FIA World Rallycross Championship Belgian round from 2014 through 2019, putting Mettet on the same European rallycross map as venues such as Circuit Paul Ricard (ice-racing and GT history) and national tracks like Circuit Zolder.
Belgium’s headline Grand Prix circuit remains Spa-Francorchamps, but Mettet matters for motorcycle Grand Trophy heritage, Formula 2 visits in 1950–1951, and the jump from public roads to a modern closed circuit.
Contents
Circuit Jules Tacheny Mettet facts
| Location | Mettet, Namur province, Wallonia, Belgium |
|---|---|
| Circuit type | Permanent road course (replaced historic public-road layout) |
| Opened (permanent) | March 2010 |
| Length | 2.280 km, 10 turns |
| Previous street course | Up to 8.5 km (1932 configuration); motorcycle racing from 1928 |
| Named after | Jules Tacheny (1907–1984), motorcycle racer and RUMESM president |
| Main international event | FIA World Rallycross Championship Belgian round (2014–2019) |
| Historic categories | Motorcycle Grand Prix / Grand Trophy; Formula 2 (1950–1951) |
| Operator | Royal Union Motor de l’Entre Sambre et Meuse (RUMESM) tradition |
Lap record note: Rallycross, motorcycle, and car sessions use different surfaces and configurations. Compare lap times only within the same series and year.
Since 2014, the main event was the Belgian round of the World Rallycross Championship
Jules Tacheny and the Entre Sambre et Meuse club
The circuit is named after motorcycle racer Jules Tacheny (1907–1984), who became president of the Royal Union Motor de l’Entre Sambre et Meuse (RUMESM) after World War II. RUMESM operated the old street course for decades and still anchors Belgian club racing culture in the region.
The second race track in Belgium after Spa
The street circuit in Mettet was Belgium’s second permanent motorsport venue after iconic Spa-Francorchamps, which opened in 1921. The first motorcycle Grand Prix Entre Sambre et Meuse on a 2,800-metre course was held in 1928. From 1932 the layout stretched to 8,500 metres.
Mettet hosted motorcycle races regularly until 1937, when World War II halted activity. Racing resumed in 1946. Jules Tacheny won the Senior category in the first post-war race while leading RUMESM.
In 1953 the FIM ruled that each country could host only one Grand Prix. The Belgian motorcycle Grand Prix moved to Spa, so the Mettet race became the Grand Trophy.
Motorcycle race back in 1956
Surtees, Ickx, and Agostini on the street course
Mettet continued to attract world-class riders. Motorcycle and Formula 1 champion John Surtees won twice, in 1956 and 1958 — the latter year in both 350cc and 500cc classes.
Young Jacky Ickx, who began on motorcycles, took victory in the 50cc class in 1962.
The street circuit also hosted a 1,000 km motorcycle endurance race between 1972 and 1979. Giacomo Agostini won twice, in 1976 and 1977. Motorcycle Grand Trophy events continued until 2006, when the public-road course was used for the last time.
Formula 2 came to Mettet in 1950 and 1951
Besides motorcycle races, Mettet hosted Formula 2 twice. In 1950 the first Grandee Trophée Entre Sambre et Meuse ran on a 7.387 km street circuit. Robert Manzon won in a factory Simca-Gordini Type 15. Stirling Moss and Lance Macklin finished second and third in HWM cars.
In 1951 Manzon repeated. Fellow Gordini drivers André Simon and Maurice Trintignant completed the podium.
Aerial view of the Mettet circuit
The permanent circuit opened in 2010
The new 2.280 km permanent circuit opened in March 2010 with ten turns, several named for famous riders — Surtees, Findlay, Agostini, de Radigues, Paquay, Chambon, Mertens, and others. Early seasons were dominated by motorcycle track days and national championships.
World Rallycross at Mettet
The track joined the FIA European Rallycross Championship and World Rallycross Championship calendars in 2014. The inaugural July event ran for both Euro RX and World RX. Robin Larsson (Euro) and Toomas Heikkinen (WRX) won.
Heikkinen repeated the World RX win in 2015. Swedes Mattias Ekström and Johan Kristoffersson added victories in 2016 and 2017. Mettet remained a compact, spectator-friendly WRX stop until the championship calendar moved on after 2019.
Address and contact
Address: Circuit Jules Tacheny, 6 rue Saint Donat, B-5640 Mettet, Belgium
Phone: +32 71 71 00 80
Website: circuit-mettet.be
Frequently asked questions about Circuit Jules Tacheny Mettet
Where is Circuit Jules Tacheny Mettet?
Circuit Jules Tacheny Mettet lies in Mettet, Namur province, in the Wallonia region of Belgium — south of Brussels in the Entre Sambre et Meuse area.
When did the Mettet permanent circuit open?
The closed 2.280 km permanent track opened in March 2010, replacing a public-road course used for motorcycle racing since the 1920s.
How long is Circuit Jules Tacheny Mettet?
The permanent layout measures 2.280 km with 10 turns. The historic street course reached up to 8.5 km in its longest motorcycle-era configuration.
Who is Jules Tacheny?
Jules Tacheny (1907–1984) was a Belgian motorcycle racer who became president of RUMESM (Royal Union Motor de l’Entre Sambre et Meuse) after World War II. The modern circuit carries his name.
Did World Rallycross race at Mettet?
Yes. Mettet hosted the FIA World Rallycross Championship Belgian round from 2014 through 2019, alongside European Rallycross events on the same weekend in early seasons.
Did Formula 1 race at Mettet?
No. Mettet never held a Formula 1 world championship Grand Prix. Formula 2 non-championship races were held in 1950 and 1951 on the street circuit.
Which famous riders won at Mettet?
Winners on the old course included John Surtees, Jacky Ickx, and Giacomo Agostini. Rallycross champions such as Johan Kristoffersson won WRX rounds on the permanent track.
What is Belgium's main Grand Prix circuit?
Spa-Francorchamps hosts the Belgian Formula 1 Grand Prix. Mettet is a regional circuit with motorcycle and rallycross heritage rather than F1 status.
When did motorcycle racing end on the Mettet street course?
The Grand Trophy motorcycle races on public roads continued until 2006, after which competition moved to the 2010 permanent facility.
How do you contact Circuit Jules Tacheny Mettet?
The circuit address is 6 rue Saint Donat, B-5640 Mettet, Belgium. Phone +32 71 71 00 80; official site circuit-mettet.be.
