Reims

Edmonton · 26 Jun 2004, 21:27 (Ref:1016972)

Could it be revived for sportscars? I heard they used to have a 12hour race there.

Fab · 27 Jun 2004, 05:49 (Ref:1017179)

No, at my knowing the circuit is not in use anymore.

nobster · 27 Jun 2004, 09:13 (Ref:1017270)

Is Reims where you can still see the old pit and grandstands buildings next to the route nationale where the old track used to be??
I have seen pictures of this before but I don't know if it was Reims or Rouen.
It is still something special to see these buildings, like a ghosttown.

Rob29 · 27 Jun 2004, 09:49 (Ref:1017277)

Was last used in 1969.A few years ago a revival historic meeting was planned,and I had hotel etc booked.However it was cancelled due to some problem with the local authority resurfacing the roads.

Fab · 27 Jun 2004, 13:30 (Ref:1017473)

That reminds me the grandstands yo uhave on your left when you arrive at Berlin's gate... Where is Nuvolari ?

gi_gav · 27 Jun 2004, 14:19 (Ref:1017546)

nobster, you're right that it's Reims that has the stunning old buildings (Rouen's were torn down a few years ago).

ss_collins and I will be there later on in the summer as part of our book project on the historic circuits, and I can't wait to photograph them!

Fab, what's this about Berlin? It's looking like we'll be there this week to visit what remains of Avus.

ss_collins · 27 Jun 2004, 16:21 (Ref:1017598)

I think thats Avus

**Adam43** · 27 Jun 2004, 17:47 (Ref:1017751)

Here are some photos of its conditions last year: http://www.adamashmore.co.uk/photos/...ms/index2.html

There is also some work being carried out on the public roads that form the track (new islands and a raplcement road).

cybersdorf · 27 Jun 2004, 18:51 (Ref:1017886)

I think Reims and the AVUS are equally dead. - The old Targa Florio pits are still there I believe; still that doesn't say anything about the chances of having a race over the roads of Sicily again.

PRF · 27 Jun 2004, 20:38 (Ref:1018078)

Visited the Reims circuit perhaps in the late 80's to the best of my knowledge. Managed to take some brilliant snaps of the pits, grandstands and the road disecting the buildings. You can still make out the sponsors/logo's. Shame really. I guess if it was England it would be a classed as a listed building.

**PascaLM** · 27 Jun 2004, 20:49 (Ref:1018086)

I did lots of laps with my 4L when I was younger.
I saw in 1981, a meeting of Ferrari. Unfortunately, in the first lap, a 75 years old man killed himself in his 308 in the long curve after the pits straight. Bad souvenir.
This circuit will never live again. There is no modern infrastructure concerning the safety and all is to be done. The circuit is too fast and any improvement should cost too much. There are now houses in Gueux which too close to the circuit.
I hope the pits and grandstand will be saved from the definitive ruin, one day.

simon c · 27 Jun 2004, 21:04 (Ref:1018099)

went to reims in 2002 after le mans and thought about hawthorn, behra, fangio, moss et al. the place is mighty evocative.

pirenzo · 27 Jun 2004, 22:41 (Ref:1018198)

Quote:

Originally posted by Fab
No, at my knowing the circuit is not in use anymore.

WRONG. Well, sort of.
On July 4th there's a Historic meet there organised by "Les Amis du Circuit de Gueux". Static displays only though as far as I'm aware.
Me and my dad were at the circuit over Easter and we bumped into the chairman of the ACG and my dad decided to join (it only cost 20 euros)
The problem is everything they send us is in french and I can only make out the odd sentence so I'm only catching half of what is said

Gilles · 28 Jun 2004, 10:18 (Ref:1018522)

This is where the 80th birthday celebration of Mg took place in France with more than 100 MGs.

**Aysedasi** · 28 Jun 2004, 13:00 (Ref:1018768)

Quote:

Originally posted by simon c
went to reims in 2002 after le mans and thought about hawthorn, behra, fangio, moss et al. the place is mighty evocative.

You don't even need to go there to realise how evocative it is. Take a look at Adams' pics - he posted them a while back.

pounetbf · 28 Jun 2004, 13:26 (Ref:1018812)

I am living 80km from Reims;
It is exactly a gost track. Noting else than a wreck. It is spotly use for some meetings, but nothing else.
And it seems the local authorities are not interested by this "dangerous ruin"
this track was only a triangle of 3 public roads; totally unsafe now.

The only solution to have races again is to build a completely new modern track. I don't know if the money could be found (probaly, as this is in the Champagne production area), but I don't think the will is here.

Fab · 28 Jun 2004, 13:27 (Ref:1018813)

Quote:

Originally posted by ss_collins
I think thats Avus

It is AVUS indeed... very impressive... you just imagine the oldies dashing to Berlin and then back after an hairpin...

:

pirenzo · 28 Jun 2004, 15:28 (Ref:1018961)

Quote:

Originally posted by pounetbf
I am living 80km from Reims;
It is exactly a gost track. Noting else than a wreck. It is spotly use for some meetings, but nothing else.
And it seems the local authorities are not interested by this "dangerous ruin"
this track was only a triangle of 3 public roads; totally unsafe now.

The only solution to have races again is to build a completely new modern track. I don't know if the money could be found (probaly, as this is in the Champagne production area), but I don't think the will is here.

When I went there wasn't a complete loop anymore either, part of it had been ploughed under.
The fields containing the pits and grandstands are owned by the local landlord, nothing to do with the government. I don't agree that it's totally unsafe either, there's nothing but fields in some bits, plenty of space for run off. IMO the biggest problem are the two roundabouts and the dual carriageway

429CJ · 28 Jun 2004, 17:28 (Ref:1019102)

At least there's no trees and bushes growing thru tarmac, like in Keimola.

PaulSands · 28 Jun 2004, 18:08 (Ref:1019168)

Looks like the area needs its own Tom Wheatcroft to revive the circuit

gi_gav · 28 Jun 2004, 18:40 (Ref:1019198)

Quote:

Originally posted by Fab
It is AVUS indeed... very impressive... you just imagine the oldies dashing to Berlin and then back after an hairpin... :

and ss_collins and I will be there this time tomorrow...

looking forward to imagining the old slipstreaming battles!

pirenzo · 28 Jun 2004, 21:25 (Ref:1019427)

PaulSands, the good news is because that particular part of the track leads to nowhere nobody seems to care if you drive at breakneck speed up and down it

(well, I left that bit to my dad, I can't drive yet)

**Adam43** · 28 Jun 2004, 23:03 (Ref:1019545)

What are you talking about

Vroom.

Fab · 29 Jun 2004, 05:13 (Ref:1019705)

Quote:

Originally posted by gi_gav
and ss_collins and I will be there this time tomorrow...

looking forward to imagining the old slipstreaming battles!

Will you ?

Enjoy your trip, I love the place and the town !

Take one of your wonderful pics, if you can ! Well, the place is along a motorway now, don't cause any accident !

PaulSands · 29 Jun 2004, 06:36 (Ref:1019726)

So if the right body got involved the very least that could happen would be some kind of sprint meeting? Is it still totally public roads or is any of it privately owned..can you buy public roads in France???
Are the structures there still sound despite their shabbiness? Could they, for instance, with a lick or six of paint be safely used?

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