The Remains of the Classic Motor Racing Circuits - Reims
by user Alex Holowczak
Reims in France, is one of the oldest Formula One circuits in a vague sort of existance.
An aerial shot of the 1954 French Grand Prix
A poster for the 1960 French Grand Prix
It was a street circuit created in 1926, and although changing forms in the early 1950s, it hosted many
French Grand Prix. F1 World Champions such as
Juan Manuel Fangio,
Mike Hawthorn,
Jack Brabham and
Jim Clark all graced the great streets of Reims in its' heyday. The streets were lined with landmarks, and was wide enough to encourage overtaking, and there were overtaking opportunities at various points on the track, such as Thillois and Muizon. It was a favourite for both drivers and fans alike.
Reims started to suffer problems at the end of the 1960s. With concerns about safety becoming a focus of attention in motor sport, Formula One sought alternative tracks to host the
French Grand Prix.
A Maserati during the 1953 race
The 1956 French Grand Prix
As a result,
Le Castellet, a modern, safe circuit in France took over as one of the two circuits hosting it. After a brief soiree at
Clermont Ferrand and a further relocation to
Dijon Prenois lead to the race track being scrapped in 1972. These tracks were much safer, and more modern. The drivers naturally preferred these circuits. The problems with safety meant that there were no barriers. The run off areas were acres of open fields, but this was dangerous, as there was nothing to stop momentum. There were hedges near the road in some places, and this was an obvious flaw.
The 1953 French Grand Prix
Start of the 1951 French Grand Prix
It was acceptable in pre-war racing, but now the drivers wanted security. Being a street circuit, Reims was unable to modify itself, as they were public roads - not designed as an International Raceway.
The roads around Reims and grandstands still exist, as these pictures show.
Reims is unlikely to ever return to it's original greatness. The roads have fallen into such disrepair that the cost is gigantic.
The BP Floor in it's modern state
The current state of the Grandstand
Also, the road linking the village of Gueux down to Thallois is about to be grassed over, and the Rue de la National Trente-et-Un is about to be narrowed and lose it's RN status. There is a perfectly good race track at
Magny-Cours, and
Le Mans has a perfectly good track if anything should ever happen to
Magny-Cours. So Reims will never get a look in.
Reims will fade into memory, and unless someone comes along to purchase the area, there is no chance of ever repeating the glory days of the Reims track in France.
The pit straight as it is now
The current state of the Thillois hairpin
The grandstands, and main straight remain. They will be an everlasting memory to one of the world's great Motor Racing Circuits.
The grandstands need to be demolished, rebuilt (asbestos), and the pit lane would need to be completely separated from the track. Also, the RN31 would need to have a major overhaul. Also, the village of Gueux is expanding from it's village status, and houses are encroaching ever nearer to the road side. Even then, there is no guarantee of relocating the race, or a race there making a profit.
The track will hold the memory of Luigi Musso, who died at Reims in 1958 whilst catching Mike Hawthorn. He span into the field, and his car flew into a ditch, throwing Musso from the car. His injuries caused his death later that day.
There are many others like this - I may do some more of these as and when I get the chance.
Date
Fri 08/11/06, 12:48 pm EST
