Le Circuit de Reims-Gueux
Discussion
Chaps,
I'm sure as motor racing enthusiasts you're well aware of the plight of this great circuit, but I thought it worth reiterating after a recent trip to Reims. If you have a second to cross-post to other forums you frequent, that would be awesome.
Chev.
The motor sporting world, for all its current interest in historic racing, can be an unforgiving place, with so many important landmarks of the past left for nature to consume, or simply destroyed in favour of something new. If the tight motor racing community cannot care for its treasures, what happens when the rest of the world gets hold of them?
In Britain, the earliest permanent race track was Brooklands and visitors of all ages can still gaze in wonder at the small remaining section of its terrifying concrete banking, though most of the enormous speedbowl was lost to developers decades ago. Before Brooklands was even a glimmer in the eye of creator Hugh Locke King, French combatants were thundering from village to village in contests of speed. It would be fair to say that the traditions of motor racing in Europe were borne of those days and those trials, but today precious little of any tangibility remains to remind us of those early motor sporting endeavours on the open roads.
In 1926, a new track was formed out of the public roads near the champagne town of Reims. Linking the towns of Thillois and Gueux in a triangle it became one of the premier French motor racing venues. Though truncated slightly in 1951 to bypass Gueux – actually making the circuit even quicker – it held the French Grand Prix and famous 12 hour sports car epic before racing finally ceased in 1969 for cars and 1972 for motorcycles.
In the intervening 40 years, locals have been able to reclaim their roads, and in fact one corner of the track no longer exists, but several of the original buildings still stand; remarkably intact and utterly evocative. While its contemporary north of Paris, Rouen-les-Essarts, retains no period buildings, Reims exists like a time warp. You can almost hear the engine notes of Ferrari and Maserati – Hawthorn chasing down Fangio in that thrilling 1953 Grand Prix.
Today the great tribunes opposite the pits loom nobly over passing motorists and their condition is remarkably good given their age, though there is evidence of dilapidation where steel reinforcement is being exposed as the concrete frame flakes and crumbles. The old pit buildings are of breeze block construction and their condition is really very good. They are in the process of being painted and patched up by a devoted group called Les Amis du Circuit de Gueux. The ACG, as the association is otherwise known, states its aims as maintaining the legend of the circuit, safeguarding its infrastructure and welcoming classic vehicles to the site once more.
The ACG has already restored the famous old scoreboard to gleaming condition. Mounted on a turntable it is once again able to spin to face all members of the crowd. With the pit buildings well under way, their next target is Le Stand des Marques, where the drivers rested during the gruelling 12 Hours battles.
Gérard Cuif is a local resident, classic Porsche racer and president of the association – often seen paint brush in hand doing anything he can to help preserve the circuit he loves. He fleshes out some of the details: “The buildings at Reims were not knocked down many years ago because their owner was a private society which had bought the property of 15 ha from the ACC (Automobile Club of Champagne) on December 15th 1971. This society was directed by Max Rousseaux who protected the history of the track. But Max Rousseaux died and the next owner became the village of Gueux in 2000. When the mayor of Gueux bought the buildings, he decided to build a private race track. He lost his election in 2008 because of ecologist inhabitants. The new mayor, along with the notaries of Gueux, wants to build private houses in place of the circuit buildings. Founded in 2004, the ACG decided to ask the French government to protect this mythical site. It was obtained in May 2008 for a large part of the buildings by the French Ministry of Culture (grandstands, pits, chronometer tower).”
However, the story doesn’t end there and the ACG faces a constant battle to justify the continued existence of the historic and evocative buildings. The politicians in Gueux need to see tourists visiting and that the circuit is not deserted. Meanwhile, among the 300 amis, 20 faithful members continue to do all they can to keep the site clear and tidy, slowly renovating the old buildings when red tape and budgets permit.
It is clear from spending time with Gérard that he does not believe the amazing old facilities here are safe and that action is required, not only to keep them looking presentable, but also to keep them standing at all. As a result, he has urged all classic car and motor racing enthusiasts to help. At its most simple, this means visiting the site, as Gérard puts it, “The English people can support us by visiting the track when they go to the Mediterranean for their holidays!” For those willing to do a little more, the association holds a membership scheme where subscriptions help pay for cement, tools and paint to help with continuing the works. For the really committed, les amis are always looking out for enterprises interested in partnering in the restoration.
It is saddening when so much of our motor sporting heritage becomes lost or hidden. At Reims, so much is intact and remains so evocative that it cannot be ignored and cannot be allowed to be bulldozed to make way for another housing estate. Racing enthusiasts, you know what to do.
For more information, visit: www.amis-du-circuit-de-gueux.fr
I'm sure as motor racing enthusiasts you're well aware of the plight of this great circuit, but I thought it worth reiterating after a recent trip to Reims. If you have a second to cross-post to other forums you frequent, that would be awesome.
Chev.
The motor sporting world, for all its current interest in historic racing, can be an unforgiving place, with so many important landmarks of the past left for nature to consume, or simply destroyed in favour of something new. If the tight motor racing community cannot care for its treasures, what happens when the rest of the world gets hold of them?
In Britain, the earliest permanent race track was Brooklands and visitors of all ages can still gaze in wonder at the small remaining section of its terrifying concrete banking, though most of the enormous speedbowl was lost to developers decades ago. Before Brooklands was even a glimmer in the eye of creator Hugh Locke King, French combatants were thundering from village to village in contests of speed. It would be fair to say that the traditions of motor racing in Europe were borne of those days and those trials, but today precious little of any tangibility remains to remind us of those early motor sporting endeavours on the open roads.
In 1926, a new track was formed out of the public roads near the champagne town of Reims. Linking the towns of Thillois and Gueux in a triangle it became one of the premier French motor racing venues. Though truncated slightly in 1951 to bypass Gueux – actually making the circuit even quicker – it held the French Grand Prix and famous 12 hour sports car epic before racing finally ceased in 1969 for cars and 1972 for motorcycles.
In the intervening 40 years, locals have been able to reclaim their roads, and in fact one corner of the track no longer exists, but several of the original buildings still stand; remarkably intact and utterly evocative. While its contemporary north of Paris, Rouen-les-Essarts, retains no period buildings, Reims exists like a time warp. You can almost hear the engine notes of Ferrari and Maserati – Hawthorn chasing down Fangio in that thrilling 1953 Grand Prix.
Today the great tribunes opposite the pits loom nobly over passing motorists and their condition is remarkably good given their age, though there is evidence of dilapidation where steel reinforcement is being exposed as the concrete frame flakes and crumbles. The old pit buildings are of breeze block construction and their condition is really very good. They are in the process of being painted and patched up by a devoted group called Les Amis du Circuit de Gueux. The ACG, as the association is otherwise known, states its aims as maintaining the legend of the circuit, safeguarding its infrastructure and welcoming classic vehicles to the site once more.
The ACG has already restored the famous old scoreboard to gleaming condition. Mounted on a turntable it is once again able to spin to face all members of the crowd. With the pit buildings well under way, their next target is Le Stand des Marques, where the drivers rested during the gruelling 12 Hours battles.
Gérard Cuif is a local resident, classic Porsche racer and president of the association – often seen paint brush in hand doing anything he can to help preserve the circuit he loves. He fleshes out some of the details: “The buildings at Reims were not knocked down many years ago because their owner was a private society which had bought the property of 15 ha from the ACC (Automobile Club of Champagne) on December 15th 1971. This society was directed by Max Rousseaux who protected the history of the track. But Max Rousseaux died and the next owner became the village of Gueux in 2000. When the mayor of Gueux bought the buildings, he decided to build a private race track. He lost his election in 2008 because of ecologist inhabitants. The new mayor, along with the notaries of Gueux, wants to build private houses in place of the circuit buildings. Founded in 2004, the ACG decided to ask the French government to protect this mythical site. It was obtained in May 2008 for a large part of the buildings by the French Ministry of Culture (grandstands, pits, chronometer tower).”
However, the story doesn’t end there and the ACG faces a constant battle to justify the continued existence of the historic and evocative buildings. The politicians in Gueux need to see tourists visiting and that the circuit is not deserted. Meanwhile, among the 300 amis, 20 faithful members continue to do all they can to keep the site clear and tidy, slowly renovating the old buildings when red tape and budgets permit.
It is clear from spending time with Gérard that he does not believe the amazing old facilities here are safe and that action is required, not only to keep them looking presentable, but also to keep them standing at all. As a result, he has urged all classic car and motor racing enthusiasts to help. At its most simple, this means visiting the site, as Gérard puts it, “The English people can support us by visiting the track when they go to the Mediterranean for their holidays!” For those willing to do a little more, the association holds a membership scheme where subscriptions help pay for cement, tools and paint to help with continuing the works. For the really committed, les amis are always looking out for enterprises interested in partnering in the restoration.
It is saddening when so much of our motor sporting heritage becomes lost or hidden. At Reims, so much is intact and remains so evocative that it cannot be ignored and cannot be allowed to be bulldozed to make way for another housing estate. Racing enthusiasts, you know what to do.
For more information, visit: www.amis-du-circuit-de-gueux.fr
majordad said:
I've stopped by a few times over the past 20 yrs here. Well done to the Amis and I'll throw something their way towards the paint. I tried to visit Rouen-les Essarts as well over the years but sadly nothing remains ( that I could find anyway).
I visited Rouen too. the main stand and the pit buildings are gone, but there is loads left if you know where to look. out of the three versions of the track, the earliest version is 100% still there and can be driven around. The second version is 95% still there, with tradition of a roundabout instead of a flat out kinks and one corner blocked off, but still very accessible if you are Wearing sturdy boots. the last version is 75% still there and driveable. the last part of it have been dug up, but the corner kerbs and the gravel traps remain. it is easily walkable.
a lot of the circuit infrastructure is still there too, from fuel storage buildings to the paddock tunnel under the start finish straight.
well worth a look if you are in the area.
chevronb37, any chance you can PM me as i have a couple of ideas i'd like to share.
im on mobile PH and it won't allow the pM function to work.The only part of the original long Rouen Circuit not still there is the long curve onto the back straight which is the overgrown part straight ahead here to the right of the road sign, the new road carries on to the left. The back straight onto which the curve joined is now the new dual carriageway seen in the distance as the road crossing on the bridge - http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Grand-Couronne,+Fran...
In 1965 the GT world championship round at Reims-Gueux was won by a Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe (with Jo Schlesser and Bob Bondurant at the wheel), winning Shelby the World Championship over Ferrari.
So a few weeks ago when driving from Spa to Paris we stopped off to soak up the atmosphere in the appropriate manner:
This is what it sounds like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW4F8ggrrSw
Whilst there, I met one of the older members of the Amis du Circuit de Gueux. He was putting some leaflets there for visitors and I had a brief chat with him. He explained the governmental problems in keeping it all going, particularly his frustration that the annual sprint (which had been well attended annually) has now been canned. They are fighting a losing battle and really need to demonstrate a real increase in visitors in order to get support.
Do try to visit, it really is a piece of history that must be retained, here's the link again:
www.amis-du-circuit-de-gueux.fr
So a few weeks ago when driving from Spa to Paris we stopped off to soak up the atmosphere in the appropriate manner:
This is what it sounds like
:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW4F8ggrrSw
Whilst there, I met one of the older members of the Amis du Circuit de Gueux. He was putting some leaflets there for visitors and I had a brief chat with him. He explained the governmental problems in keeping it all going, particularly his frustration that the annual sprint (which had been well attended annually) has now been canned. They are fighting a losing battle and really need to demonstrate a real increase in visitors in order to get support.
Do try to visit, it really is a piece of history that must be retained, here's the link again:
www.amis-du-circuit-de-gueux.fr
chevronb37 said:
I e-mailed PH to get this put on the website as a feature to try and raise awareness but no response. As racing enthusiasts we have a duty to try and preserve the buildings here.
Probably as it's already been a feature on PH already. www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=52&i=20984I think the fading grandeur look is very fetching, but the effects of the weather on the structures is perhaps the most worrying aspect. The rebar exposed in the concrete is starting to rust which is causing the concrete near the surface to blow. This has the potential to undermine the buildings entirely in the long term. Equally, the scoreboard if left untreated had the potential to go the same way - though it is just steel.
Having visited Monza on the same trip, I would suggest that the banking there is on borrowed time. The same effects on the concrete are visible there - rebar cover in concrete clearly wasn't a priority in days gone by as it might be engineered in now.
FourWheelDrift - thanks for the clarification. I don't know whether enough time has passed to justify re-visiting the topic. I guess probably not.
Having visited Monza on the same trip, I would suggest that the banking there is on borrowed time. The same effects on the concrete are visible there - rebar cover in concrete clearly wasn't a priority in days gone by as it might be engineered in now.
FourWheelDrift - thanks for the clarification. I don't know whether enough time has passed to justify re-visiting the topic. I guess probably not.
Others to visit in France are Montlhéry - http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Montlh%C3%A9ry,+Fr...
Clermont-Ferrand - http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Clermont-Ferrand,+...
And if you are ever in Spain near Barcelona avoid the Circuit de Catalunya and seek out the 2nd oldest racing circuit in Europe (only Brooklands is older) and it closed after the 1923 season. The Autódromo de Sitges-Terramar - http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Aut%C3%B3dromo+de+...
It's seriously banked.
Didn't stop Carlos Sainz setting a new lap records in an Audi R8 though - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0frJrTduaU
Clermont-Ferrand - http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Clermont-Ferrand,+...
And if you are ever in Spain near Barcelona avoid the Circuit de Catalunya and seek out the 2nd oldest racing circuit in Europe (only Brooklands is older) and it closed after the 1923 season. The Autódromo de Sitges-Terramar - http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Aut%C3%B3dromo+de+...
It's seriously banked.
Didn't stop Carlos Sainz setting a new lap records in an Audi R8 though
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0frJrTduaUI actually enjoyed the Circuit de Catalunya. As a modern race track it's superb. However I did get out and walk Montjuic Parc which is wonderful. Must get to Stiges one day - it's on the list. Coincidentally, a friend has just gor back from the Elan 50th birthday celebrations. He did a lap in his lovely S4. Lucky beggar! Now if only all the old board and dirt tracks in the States existed too. I would love to have seen Foyt and Parnelli Jones at Langhorne...
chevronb37 said:
The motor sporting world, for all its current interest... (loads of fascinating Reims stuff)
Excellent post, Chevron.
We visited the Reims-Gueux circuit 3 years ago during a holiday in France.
I absolutely love the place with its evocative atmosphere, and I seriously hope that it can be preserved for as long as possible. Obviously, as Gérard says, an increase in the number of visitors will help - although having said that, for me the impression of ghostliness was enhanced by there not being anybody else around, whilst the Doppler effect of the occasional fast-moving traffic helped to recreate the sensation which the racing machinery back in the day must have produced. I would hope to be in isolation there again in future visits.
I have mixed feelings about the re-painting of the signs. I think they look great, but then so do the old, original fading ones. Perhaps just a few selected signs could be left deliberately unrestored.
On our visit, we were unable to enter the tribunes themselves, because they were fenced off. Does anybody know whether you can now enter them?
One particularly atmospheric part of the circuit is where the track just peters out into a field, just before where the Muizon corner used to be. That's as isolated as you could hope for, given that it's no longer used as a road.
Lots of PHers will know that the singer and Ferrari enthusiast Chris Rea produced a short movie, called La Passione, which was shot at the Reims circuit, and involved his fantastic replica of the shark-nose F1 Ferrari of the early-60s era. I seem to remember that the film was made before Les Amis had started repainting the pit buildings.
Edited by Tony2or4 on Sunday 4th November 11:17
Love that place. I stopped by in 1996 before the weeds were cut back and the building re-painted. I shall certainly return soon.
Perhaps we need to oranise a PH road-trip & french camp out there in the new year?
More evocative than Brooklands as you can still drive most of the circuit...
As for Autódromo de Sitges-Terramar... Simply stunning. One more for the list and a good reason to visit Spain.
Perhaps we need to oranise a PH road-trip & french camp out there in the new year?
More evocative than Brooklands as you can still drive most of the circuit...
As for Autódromo de Sitges-Terramar... Simply stunning. One more for the list and a good reason to visit Spain.
Jacobyte said:
...particularly his frustration that the annual sprint (which had been well attended annually) has now been canned. They are fighting a losing battle and really need to demonstrate a real increase in visitors in order to get support.
Visited the circuit a few years ago on the way back from a skiing trip - the silence was slightly eerie, but strangely appropriate...I had intended to visit the annual sprint meeting but when info about it began to get a little thin on the ground I had assumed it got cancelled because of the expense
It would be a shame to lose such iconic pieces of motor racing heritage, because once gone, they can never be replaced. To think that someone is proposing to tear the buildings down and replace them with houses, when there is not exactly a shortage of available land in the area, annoys me greatly. There is simply no need for that to happen - the houses could be built somewhere else quite frankly.
Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff