BASTOGNE LAPS, FEBRUARY 20/21, 2016
In the weeks leading up to the rally, bullet points about the unknown VIP driver were revealed to the fans in stages. This quickly brought the rally back into conversation during the winter season, and the web forums were buzzing with speculation regarding the mysterious rally driver. At times, even record world champion Sébastien Loeb was mentioned. It was only shortly before the start of the rally, with the final pieces of information, that his identity became clear. This year's unknown „Pilote Mystère“ was the WRC-experienced Estonian Markko Märtin. Having very rarely been seen behind the wheel of a rally car since his retirement at the end of 2005, he was persuaded to drive a Ford Escort Group 4 at this year's „Boucles de Bastogne“ rally. Stéphane Prévot took the hot seat next to him. In the large starting field, which—as in previous years—was divided into three groups (Demo, Legends & Classic), the former rally professional competed against the many local specialists. Despite playing down his chances beforehand, the Estonian Märtin performed more than respectably and in the end had to admit defeat only to former Belgian rally champion Bernard Munster. Due to a puncture suffered by Markko Märtin, Munster was able to start the second day with a small time cushion over the Estonian.
Markko Märtin, the former WRC participant, was this year's „Pilote Mystere“
Being even faster than his direct competitor on Sunday's first three gravel stages, Munster, together with his wife Andrée Hansen, was able to secure the overall victory of a Boucles for the first time. Their Porsche 911 held up without any problems all the way to the finish. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for the cars of some competitors. Amidst continuous rain throughout the entire event, the wiper motor failed on Fred Bouvy's Ford Escort, the gearbox on Bruno Thiry's Datsun Violet, and things did not go much better for several other well-known competitors. For instance, the engines quit on Freddy Loix, Marc Timmers, and Stéphane Lefevre. However, Cédric Cherain was hit the hardest: a suspension broke on his Ford Escort, causing Cédric to roll over and land roughly off the road. Although Bernard Munster lost a few seconds due to a flat tire on the „Mandarine“ stage, his and his partner's first overall victory at a Boucles could no longer be taken away from them.
Opel Manta A Transeurop with the Belgians Gérald Wery / Benoit Ramelot 
Audi Quattro – A1 with the Belgians Francois Verbist / Christophe Nivarlet 
Ford Escort RS 1600 with the Belgians Stefaan Stouf / Joris Erard