Bell's Banter 2022

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by E.B

Some info here John about this September.... doesnt look too good from a ticket pov with Sold Out appearing a lot. (That could just be that particular ticket outlet)

https://www.onsite-events.com/angouleme.html


also here: https://www.circuitdesremparts.com/en/

It seems the grandstands are all sold but general entry & paddock is OK, which is probably what we want anyway.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by John Elwin

It seems the grandstands are all sold but general entry & paddock is OK, which is probably what we want anyway.

Obviously a popular meeting for grandstands to be sold out pretty much 5 months ahead of the event. My curiosity on a meeting I know next to nothing about is piqued so time to do a bit of research.

I did find an amateur video on youtube of the 2019 event and certainly from that its packed with onlookers and qa good entry of some very varied machinery for all tastes there as well.
Looks like a very pleasant way to spend some time. Link follows:

https://youtu.be/gLapvqeHHbU

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by E.B

Obviously a popular meeting for grandstands to be sold out pretty much 5 months ahead of the event. My curiosity on a meeting I know next to nothing about is piqued so time to do a bit of research.

I did find an amateur video on youtube of the 2019 event and certainly from that its packed with onlookers and qa good entry of some very varied machinery for all tastes there as well.
Looks like a very pleasant way to spend some time. Link follows:

https://youtu.be/gLapvqeHHbU

Yes, I did find an amateur video on YouTube back around Christmas when the idea first arose - I was looking for something to show our friends, who having just completed the house purchase, were completely unaware of any motorsport activity!

As you say, it does look to be an interesting event & certainly a bit different. With Chantilly the following weekend & then Spa 6H a week or two later it will be quite an interesting & varied month!

[grantp]

I went with Delta a few years ago - probably about 10 years ago thinking about it.

Great event. Not too easy to make a lot of progress around the circuit on race day when we were there - it's a bit like Monaco but with less access and the place was only fully closed off for one day so no real efforts to afford pedestrians opportunities to move about.

Lots of qualifying and racing to fit in so mass spectator movement is unlikely to be encouraged.

That's probably why the grandstand tickets sell - and there are not really that many of them.

The Paddocked seemed to be the boules playing area in the central park of the old town. Probably the most dog friendly paddock I have ever seen.

Cracking event and the Historic Road Rally they seem to hold on the Saturday had produced some very interesting older French cars not usually found elsewhere. (Though more likely you would see them when living in France!)

Highly recommended especially if you have access to local accommodation.

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by grantp

I went with Delta a few years ago - probably about 10 years ago thinking about it.

Great event. Not too easy to make a lot of progress around the circuit on race day when we were there - it's a bit like Monaco but with less access and the place was only fully closed off for one day so no real efforts to afford pedestrians opportunities to move about.

Lots of qualifying and racing to fit in so mass spectator movement is unlikely to be encouraged.

That's probably why the grandstand tickets sell - and there are not really that many of them.

The Paddocked seemed to be the boules playing area in the central park of the old town. Probably the most dog friendly paddock I have ever seen.

Cracking event and the Historic Road Rally they seem to hold on the Saturday had produced some very interesting older French cars not usually found elsewhere. (Though more likely you would see them when living in France!)

Highly recommended especially if you have access to local accommodation.

That's great, thank you. From the map on their website the paddock looks to be close to where we will be staying, so that'll be useful.

I've never been to a street race of any sort, so I am really looking forward to it

[S griffin]

That's great you don't have to travel far to get to the action. Hope you enjoy it.

[Gerard C]

John you can expect a wonderful place and a nice mix of races and demo grids. Not really Monaco or Pau, slightly different, je dirais moins "guindé".

[Peter Mallett]

And of course you are in the Charentes region where Pinot Des Charente is produced.

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

And of course you are in the Charentes region where Pinot Des Charente is produced.

I will refer you to Michele - she's the wine expert!

[delta]

Happy days GP. Do remember the Grand Stand eruption of laughter when I shouted that the podium parade car driver had lost the keys. I am still laughing now.

[Gerard C]

This one is good Delta, where else can it happen than in France?

[midgetman]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

And of course you are in the Charentes region where Pinot Des Charente is produced.

It's just the best. Bring some back for me please.

Sent from my AC2003 using Tapatalk

[Mike Harte]

John, I believe that this is another YT of the "circuit": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXl6qyBHQxQ

[MGDavid]

John, most has been said above, especially by GrantP. There are only 2 or 3 small temporary scaffolding-type grandstands which sell out very early. But the paddock is free access IIRC and if not you should easily find a friendly competitor with a couple of spare tickets.
Some racers seem a bit intimidated by the proximity of solid walls and armco but once that is overcome it's an absolute hoot in a small chuckable car like an MG Midget. There's loads of vids on youtube to choose from but here is my qualifying session from the 2016 event.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10jpO8LfAI0

[Alan Morgan]

[Pedantry] It's actually Pineau des Charentes [/Pedantry]

[Peter Mallett]

[Delta]pinot des charente[/delta]

[Alan Morgan]

Very good Peter!

[Peter Mallett]

[S griffin]

So did anyone see Vettel's appearance on Question Time last night. I didn't see it, but have just read about it and he puts across many good points

[Gerard C]

"Le pineau des Charentes est un mélange audacieux de jus de raisin et d'eau-de-vie de cognac" sic. Not really a wine as you can understand it but more likely a kind of sirup for apéritif.

In Charentes, you'll find a typical beverage made mixing Schweppes tonic and a good cognac (6 Schweppes for 2 cognac rations) on an ice bed. Very tasty but tricky when the weather is hot. If you go for it when seated prepare yourself to look for your legs after two or more glasses! Dont even think abour riding your bicycle after either.


Of course, after watching the excellent Dave vid, you'll remember the famous "dont drink and drive", you may hit a bump and spill your drink! Cheers Gents.

[Gerard C]

Et parce que en France nous aimons discuter autour d'un bon verre, you all are right, you can have Pineau and Pinot. La preuve sort du pudding les copains:
On ne compte pas moins de 26 variétés de cépages, des plus emblématiques tels le Merlot, le Cabernet, le Sauvignon et le Chardonnay aux plus confidentiels comme le Pinot, le Gamay, le Chauché Gris et le Colombard. Une belle palette de nuances qui confèrent aux vins leur diversité.

[Peter Mallett]

Of course you are correct Gerard, but to be fair we have sherry which is a similar type of beverage, usually served when the vicar comes to tea.

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Of course you are correct Gerard, but to be fair we have sherry which is a similar type of beverage, usually served when the vicar comes to tea.

It must be my age Peter but on reading this I instantly had visions of Brian Rix in a Ray Clooney farce standing in front of the vicar with his trousers around his ankles!

[Peter Mallett]

Indeed the first problem with drinking sherry.

[Gerard C]

Peter, you remind me one night at home with friends, after few hours I had only one remaining bottle and it was Amaretto. One guest just said it was for old ladies only but was OK because always better than Coke or water! Guess what, this guy showed that an old lady can be tough!