Clermont-Ferrand

[graeme]

I've got half a day to kill in Clermont Ferrand in a couple of weeks. Any thoughts or tips on looking around the old GP circuit. I dropped an email to the new Charade circuit and they were remarkably unhelpful - "we're closed that day" - thanks!

[simon drabble]

I was lucky enough to race at Charade abt 2 years ago. It was a very physically demanding circuit and ultimately my car didnt last the distance (it wasa 2.5 hour race) the original longer circuit must have been awesome. The hills and tightness is not to everyones choice (some calling it a go kart track) but I have to say I loved it! If you cant drive round it walk round it as its worth it.

[graeme]

Ta - is the old circuit public roads? (Racingcircuits.net says "The entire circuit is now closed to ordinary traffic" but I think that might be the new circuit). Reckon I'll be able to get into the new circuit for walk around if its closed? Would love to race there from the few pictures I've seen.

Have Motorsport done a "track test" on the circuit - anyone with their's a better order than mine know which issue?

[simon drabble]

yes when you approach it on the public road its all quite obvious how it all matches up
basically the new circuit just cut off a large loop so you still get a good feel for it
it is all up and down hill - after a 12 hour drive towing the trailer I then jogged round the circuit to learn it and was knackered !!!

[Baritone2400]

This is one of my favortie tracks in france i would love to drive a lap in a hooked up MINI !!!

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by graeme

Ta - is the old circuit public roads? (Racingcircuits.net says "The entire circuit is now closed to ordinary traffic" but I think that might be the new circuit). Reckon I'll be able to get into the new circuit for walk around if its closed? Would love to race there from the few pictures I've seen.

Have Motorsport done a "track test" on the circuit - anyone with their's a better order than mine know which issue?

Motorsport did do a track test of Clermont Ferrand a few years ago. Most of circuit still looks intact.

[graeme]

Just a matter of searching through a pile of magazines half as big as myself then...!

[Eddy V]

Originally Posted by graeme

Just a matter of searching through a pile of magazines half as big as myself then...!

Try entering: Clermont Ferrand Circuit at some searchmachine.

[eclectic]

If I knew how to post photos here I could send you a postcard of the old 1905 Gordon Bennett circuit, all 150 kilometres!

[Jim Lamb]

Graeme, I Was lucky enough to visit 'Charade' a few years ago on a 'Wheeltorque' trip.
See this link http://www.marshalspost.com/gallery/79.html 'Day 3 photo's' for some pic's.
I have some info tucked away. I'll dig it out and post what I can in the next few days.

Awesome circuit now. The Old circuit must have been 'Fantastic', I got quite nostalgic standing in the Paddock area and thinking of the Film 'Grand Prix'.

Regards,

Jim Lamb

[EERO]

Found this, does it help:

[EERO]

Websirete I found it at including C-F and Charade maps


http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96062883/K=Cl...s/charade.html

[graeme]

Wow - managed to race here last weekend with the French Lotus chaps - what a circuit! - probably the best circuit I drove all week (which included the Nordscheilfe, Spa and Mas Du Clos...)

[Blue Penguin]

Here's the link to the circuit on google maps,

http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&z=...32487&t=k&om=1