SLS Rally 2026: A French adventure to Scheveningen
The roar of classic engines shattered the quiet of the French countryside on Wednesday morning. One by one, the cars of the 62nd SLS Classic Rally disappeared into the distance, their polished bodywork glinting in the early sunlight. But this was no leisurely drive through Europe. For the crews taking part, the next four days would be a relentless test of speed, precision, memory and nerve.
The 2026 edition started just north of Paris, a major change from the traditional Luxembourg start. Under the fitting slogan “SLS goes French,” the rally headed through the Champagne region before crossing Belgium on its way to the final destination: Scheveningen in the Netherlands. Along the route, competitors encountered winding roads, demanding navigation challenges and reminders of history, including numerous war memorials.
And behind the wheel was some serious automotive firepower. The field featured legendary machines from Alfa Romeo, Porsche, Jaguar, Austin-Healey, Volvo and many more. But while these cars may have looked like museum pieces, their drivers were anything but cautious.
The fiercest battle took place in the Expert Class, where around 35 highly experienced crews fought for every second. A missed junction or a tiny navigation error could send a team tumbling down the standings. As the kilometres disappeared beneath the wheels, the leaderboard remained incredibly tight.
Among the favourites were Jacqueline Zuiderwijk and Jürgen Donders, driving their Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV. They arrived as defending champions after winning the 2025 SLS, but repeating that success would be anything but easy. By Saturday, the pressure was at its peak. The final stage offered no opportunity for mistakes. Every instruction had to be read correctly, every corner anticipated and every time check nailed.
Then came Scheveningen. As the Alfa Romeo crossed the finish on the Boulevard, Zuiderwijk and Donders had done it again. Back-to-back SLS victories. Their winning margin? Just 57 points — a razor-thin difference after four days of competition.
Behind them, Roy Roosen and Jeroen Kon claimed the Sporting Class, while Maurits Lindner and Bernie Mulder controlled the Touring Class.
The engines eventually fell silent, but the 2026 SLS Classic had left its mark: four days of roaring classics, breathtaking roads and nerve-shredding competition — proving once again that the greatest rallies are won not by horsepower alone, but by precision under pressure.
Picture gallery SLS Rally
Pictures ©Wilfried Geerts
