Arthur Legat

Arthur Legat (1 November 1898, Haine-Saint-Paul, Belgium - 23 February 1960) was a Belgian racing driver and garage owner who became a fixture in Belgian motorsport for over three decades. Born in Haine-Saint-Paul, Legat established himself as a successful garage proprietor before beginning his motor racing career in the mid-1920s. He started racing in 1926 when the Chimay circuit in Belgium first opened, immediately becoming a regular competitor at this venue. His dedication to the Grand Prix des Frontieres at Chimay was remarkable, participating in nearly every single race held there over a 30-year period.

Legat achieved his greatest successes driving a Bugatti, winning the prestigious Grand Prix des Frontieres at Chimay in both 1931 and 1932. These victories established him as one of Belgium's leading racing drivers during the pre-war era. When Formula One emerged as the World Championship in the 1950s, Legat made two attempts at Grand Prix racing, participating in his home Belgian Grand Prix in 1952 and 1953. He debuted on 22 June 1952, driving a privately entered Veritas at Spa-Francorchamps, though he scored no championship points in either appearance.

Despite his limited Formula One results, Legat's true legacy lies in his longevity and commitment to Belgian motorsport. He was still competing at Chimay 30 years after his debut, demonstrating remarkable dedication to racing at his beloved home circuit. His career spanned from the vintage era of the 1920s through the modern Formula One age of the 1950s, making him a living link between different generations of motorsport.