The essential Freddy Tacheny, father of the Mettet circuit, is very proud to see the Namur route gradually becoming a real complex dedicated to mobility year after year.
Freddy Tacheny, it is clear that the Mettet circuit and its infrastructure have grown significantly since its inauguration in 2010…
”Indeed, I have the chance to chair a formidable team that is the RUMESM which watches over the destiny of the circuit. We are focused on our passion and our primary function which is first and foremost to entertain because motor sport remains entertainment. But also train. And that is very important. We have acquired several strategic buildings and are developing others. We have four hectares of asphalt which are geared towards training, in addition to the circuit which plays a car/motorcycle role. We have a very complete dynamic.”
When did this idea of creating a training center in Mettet come from?
”I was in Austin, USA, a few years ago to follow Xavier Siméon in MotoGP. They had set up a parking lot with cones to use for training purposes, karting, etc. Objectively, I came home with photos that I showed to the council, insisting that this was our future. We had this space that was initially unpaved. Based on my vision of Austin, we developed this tool which fit with our desire to offer mobility training. We see ourselves more as a tool than a circuit. The Mettet track is only 2.4 km long. We will never host F1 or MotoGP here. It is therefore a training tool where we come to have fun while learning. This new center thus completes the offer proposed by the Circuit Jules Tacheny.”
The training center will also address new technologies. That's to say ?
”Today, it’s electric. But tomorrow, it may be hydrogen. Or a mix of many things. We often see that radical and complex things emerge. In any case, we must promote all the new technologies that will allow everyone to continue to move and enjoy themselves. We are open to this trend, and we will continue to develop it by helping all those who want to move in this direction to do it safely at home.”
The new name Mettet XP to describe the complex is very 21st century…
”It was a desire to rejuvenate our image. RUMESM is 100 years old but we are looking towards the future. We are sure that young people will quickly assimilate this new name. It's our way of being in fusion with this new generation who does more than they see and who wants to participate in an interactive way. We invite them to live their own experience with appropriate tools. We have an area that is evolving and I’m excited about it.”
Based on my vision of Austin, we developed this tool which fit with our desire to offer mobility training.
Will the control center be repurposed as a parking lot for major events?
”This will be a parking lot and a paddock. This is the whole point of this tool which is multifunctional. It will be used for cars, motorcycles, bicycles, etc. When the Superbiker comes at the end of the year, the field will even serve as a circuit! And for the World Rallycross Championship, it will serve as a fan zone and paddock.”
In terms of the circuit's activity calendar, are you complete for 2024?
”For the Circuit Jules Tacheny, we are almost complete. Regarding the training center, many possibilities will open up but we already have a lot of requests. When a need is met, things naturally follow. The circuit met a need, and it will be the same for the training center.”
