Trackday Scene in France - What's it like? Is there one?

[theturbs]

Considering a move to France as part of long term plans. I would love to be able to continue to indulge my interest in trackdays and motorsport - was just wondering how the scene over there compares with that in the UK? What's better, what's worse, etc.

Any thoughts much appreciated.

Thanks.

[eljeffo64]

It's dependant on where you live. I am in the SW between Pau & Biarritz and am well into the trackday thing there are 2 circuits close by that have lots going on - my favourite Pau Arnos (like a mini Brands) and Nogaro a bit further away which is not bad. Then there's Albi and a few others within striking distance. I just did one in Barcelona too (5 hours drive but well worth it).

Generally cheaper than UK and a bit less stuffy than the big tracks in Blighty - generally safe without too many idiots so far.... theres the usual options of one make club days, GT days and allcomer days. I'm paying about 110 euros for open pit lane all day at Arnos this year (next one 1st November - yippee).

I'd be really lost without the track so appreciate your feelings and hence your question. Where are you planning to end up in France?

Edited by eljeffo64 on Friday 17th October 00:02

[rdjohn]

I am in the Loire valley and so close to Le Mans Bugatti, plus 2 others in Nantes and Poitiers.

The best place to be is Paris, as many circuits are a failry easy drive from there and you have a couple very close by at Dreux and Ecuyers, which is frequently visited by UK organisers.

The best place to plan your year is http://www.trackdays.fr/index.php and http://www.pilotedudimanche.net

My main complaint is that some one marque clubs allow drifting and lapping to take place at the same time so I tend to go with http://www.slicketstock.eu as they do manage their events well.

Hope to you at at a French track sometime soon.

Rodger

[eljeffo64]

I've only ever seen drifting down here as a separate slot in the day - not during the normal sessions, Lapping (not quite sure what you mean - assume you mean overtaking) not found it to be a problem if the day is well policed and good flags - as per normal so far down here. I find the track days in France way more friendly than in Blighty, don't know what you have found??

[rdjohn]

"Lapping" as in driving you car to the abosute limits that its chassis allows.

My worst "drifting" experience was with Club Amateurs de Subaru arriving alongside one M3 in the braking area of a RH blind corner at Val de Vienne.

M3, aparaently going slower, flicks left and sharp right to drift the corner, I am at this point travelling much quicker to the apex and he is near right angles to my side.

I clear the corner to find a second M3 thats "lost it" and at right-angles to the track. Fortunately, I can brake to a stop; No1 M3 struggles; session stopped whilst they clear the mess!

I agree completely that having separate sessions would please everybody.

The "big" marshalled tracks like Le Mans and Dijon will not allow drifting at any time; as I say the problem only exists with certain "club days" at smaller circuits.

[theturbs]

Thanks very much for the responses gentlemen.

We haven't really looked into exact locations as yet, but our preference would definitely be towards somewhere in the south, perhaps within a reasonable distance (say 90 mins) of Bergerac or Bordeaux airports, or more towards Nice/Haute Provence (sp?). Seen some nice places advertised in Lot-et-Garonnes too.

Like I say these are very initial thoughts, we haven't looked at this in any detail as yet. What circuits are near to these areas, I believe Pau is close to Bergerac/Bordeaux.

Thanks again.

TT

[eljeffo64]

Pau Arnos is a fair way from there - I've a friend who has a place near Bergerac and I'd say it's a 3 hour trip (2.5 from Bordeaux to Arnos)- there are tracks closer, Merignac for example.

Everywhere is in driving distance if you have the time!

[bobt]

Bonjour mes amis

We have just signed a rental agreement for house near Cordes sur Ciel (Tarn) about an hour east of Toulouse. We will be house hunitng and hopefully house buying before too long. We have someone to run our business for at least 12 months, and maybe longer depending how the move works out. We leave Portugal on November 4, and plan to arrive with old beemer, trailer, winter clothes (ski gear), dogs, tools and the porker. Have our last clients for the summer right now, then the last round of the world superbikes at the brand new Algarve track on Sunday 2nd, Nov. Entry and grand stand tickets just 30 euros each !

Will defintley be up for any track days. We will only be 30 minutes from Albi which is uposed to have a good club scene. Pau will be 2 1/2 hours which is do-able for a track days. Will definitely be there for the historic meeting in April.

Once we are settled we will be happy to meet up for a lunch or dinner with anyone nearby.

A bientot

BobT

[eljeffo64]

Look forward to meeting up sometime perhaps. By the way the porsche club Toulouse Gascogne has lots of track days (I'm a member of that club - even though it's 2 hours away - for that reason, the trip to Barcelona/Catalunys GP cct last month was worth it alone)

Jeff

[lowdrag]

Ferrari day at the Bugatti circuit this Saturday and loads of track events all year long, so many that booking is damned difficult for next year. I'm invited to take part with the D type but have declined - not the same level of roadholding and particularly braking which caused a very difficult "moment" last year when overtaken by a GT3 who then braked sharply at the old museum! I think one of his rear tyres amounts to the width of my four!

[eljeffo64]

Those GT3 jockeys ..... all the same!!

[lagrange]

rdjohn said:

...I tend to go with http://www.slicketstock.eu as they do manage their events well.

Hi,

We've certainly met at some occasion as I'm used to take part of those trackdays too.

In 2009 they will have a very interesting planning by the way.

[Pvapour]

Just noticed this thread, been looking for days to do since getting down here but with no luck, will check the locations you mention.

maybe see some of you in the New Year

[bosshog]

Pvapour said:

Just noticed this thread, been looking for days to do since getting down here but with no luck, will check the locations you mention.

maybe see some of you in the New Year

Hello pvapour,

When I had my Elise and 993tt I used to do a few track days. Mainly at Le Luc (40 mins away). There's a (private) track near Aix that you can get onto aswell sometimes, then you need to go further afield after that.

For tack info see here http://www.club911med.com/ - used the French part. I used to be part of this club - really good and plenty of track days.

PS. welcome to the region! Where abouts are you living? (we're up just behind Grasse at the moment)

Edited by bosshog on Monday 5th January 12:04

[lowdrag]

The best track day of the year is surely the Sport and Collection weekend at Val de Viennes on the 6th June 2009. A Friday rally, lunches for two on two days, track time and all to raise money for cancer charities. A grand total of £180 (same in euros sadly!) for the weekend excluding hotel. Look here:-

www.sportetcollection.info

[Pvapour]

bosshog said:

Pvapour said:

Just noticed this thread, been looking for days to do since getting down here but with no luck, will check the locations you mention.

maybe see some of you in the New Year

Hello pvapour,

When I had my Elise and 993tt I used to do a few track days. Mainly at Le Luc (40 mins away). There's a (private) track near Aix that you can get onto aswell sometimes, then you need to go further afield after that.

For tack info see here http://www.club911med.com/ - used the French part. I used to be part of this club - really good and plenty of track days.

PS. welcome to the region! Where abouts are you living? (we're up just behind Grasse at the moment)

Edited by bosshog on Monday 5th January 12:04

greetings Boss

we are based on the coast right in front of you, we drop the dog off at st cezaire sur siagne quite regulaly not to far from you I think & go through Grasse to get to N85 for blats

Loving the Le Luc info, not to far either, do you have an exact whereabouts? I could view on Google earth then which would be nice will look at the 911 site you mention.

Any more info on the Aix track would be awesome too

Do you still track any vehicles or just use the local roads

[bosshog]

Pvapour said:

bosshog said:

Pvapour said:

Just noticed this thread, been looking for days to do since getting down here but with no luck, will check the locations you mention.

maybe see some of you in the New Year

Hello pvapour,

When I had my Elise and 993tt I used to do a few track days. Mainly at Le Luc (40 mins away). There's a (private) track near Aix that you can get onto aswell sometimes, then you need to go further afield after that.

For tack info see here http://www.club911med.com/ - used the French part. I used to be part of this club - really good and plenty of track days.

PS. welcome to the region! Where abouts are you living? (we're up just behind Grasse at the moment)

Edited by bosshog on Monday 5th January 12:04

greetings Boss

we are based on the coast right in front of you, we drop the dog off at st cezaire sur siagne quite regulaly not to far from you I think & go through Grasse to get to N85 for blats

Loving the Le Luc info, not to far either, do you have an exact whereabouts? I could view on Google earth then which would be nice will look at the 911 site you mention.

Any more info on the Aix track would be awesome too

Do you still track any vehicles or just use the local roads

>we drop the dog off
Ians and Izzy's by chance?

le luc:
http://maps.google.fr/maps?f=q&hl=fr&geoco...

one near aix:
http://www.circuit-sambuc-auto.com/

Ledenon is good and this north of Nimes:
http://www.pole-mecanique.com/

No vechiles at the moment unfortunality - hoping to have more cash next year

[Pvapour]

bosshog said:

Pvapour said:

bosshog said:

Pvapour said:

Just noticed this thread, been looking for days to do since getting down here but with no luck, will check the locations you mention.

maybe see some of you in the New Year

Hello pvapour,

When I had my Elise and 993tt I used to do a few track days. Mainly at Le Luc (40 mins away). There's a (private) track near Aix that you can get onto aswell sometimes, then you need to go further afield after that.

For tack info see here http://www.club911med.com/ - used the French part. I used to be part of this club - really good and plenty of track days.

PS. welcome to the region! Where abouts are you living? (we're up just behind Grasse at the moment)

Edited by bosshog on Monday 5th January 12:04

greetings Boss

we are based on the coast right in front of you, we drop the dog off at st cezaire sur siagne quite regulaly not to far from you I think & go through Grasse to get to N85 for blats

Loving the Le Luc info, not to far either, do you have an exact whereabouts? I could view on Google earth then which would be nice will look at the 911 site you mention.

Any more info on the Aix track would be awesome too

Do you still track any vehicles or just use the local roads

>we drop the dog off
Ians and Izzy's by chance?

le luc:
http://maps.google.fr/maps?f=q&hl=fr&geoco...

one near aix:
http://www.circuit-sambuc-auto.com/

Ledenon is good and this north of Nimes:
http://www.pole-mecanique.com/

No vechiles at the moment unfortunality - hoping to have more cash next year

Freaky, yeh Ian n Izzys, Ians quite into his vehicles too (motorbikes mainly at the mo)

thanks for the links, will look at them after this, any ideas on what you might be looking at?

Integrale weather for the next couple of days eh, you getting the storm there yet

[bosshog]

Pvapour said:

Freaky, yeh Ian n Izzys, Ians quite into his vehicles too (motorbikes mainly at the mo)

thanks for the links, will look at them after this, any ideas on what you might be looking at?

Integrale weather for the next couple of days eh, you getting the storm there yet

He drives like a nutter tho!

Next car? hmm not yet, it will totally depend on funds.
>Integrale weather
Yeah - worst winter for a long time. At least the skiing is good.

We should perhaps meet for a beer end of day perhaps in the week if you fancy - always good to meet fellow PH.

[Pvapour]

bosshog said:

Pvapour said:

Freaky, yeh Ian n Izzys, Ians quite into his vehicles too (motorbikes mainly at the mo)

thanks for the links, will look at them after this, any ideas on what you might be looking at?

Integrale weather for the next couple of days eh, you getting the storm there yet

He drives like a nutter tho!

Next car? hmm not yet, it will totally depend on funds.
>Integrale weather
Yeah - worst winter for a long time. At least the skiing is good.

We should perhaps meet for a beer end of day perhaps in the week if you fancy - always good to meet fellow PH.

He doesn't seem the sort TBO but then neither do I will be getting a Moto together for Spring so maybe I'll find out how much of a nutter he is then

Beer sounds good, will drop you an email, away for a couple of weeks in a week, maybe when we return? probably be a bit warmer too, 14 degrees is decidedly UK (well, almost)

will email when we return