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This is where I like to make my mistakes. No need for dev stuff to be indexed by external search bots. (noindex tag)
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If there's input (anyone?), I'd find it convenient to have it right here in this section instead of using the "talk" page.
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Circuit Reims-Gueux
The circuit Reims-Gueux was a Grand Prix motor racing road course, located 7.5 km west of Reims in the Champagne region of north-eastern France, established in 1926 as the second venue of the Grand Prix de la Marne [1] [2]. The triangular layout of public roads formed three sectors between the villages of Thillois and Gueux over the La Garenne / Gueux intersection of route N-31. The circuit became known to be among the fastest of the era for its two long straights (approximately 2.2 km in length each) allowing maximum straight-line speed, resulting in many famous slipstream battles.
Circuit history
The original 7.816 km circuit placed the start/finish line on road D27, approximately 1.6 km east of the Gueux village center, where it would remain for the duration of the circuit. Gradual improvements in track width to a few sections including the Garenne-Gueux / Thillois corners prior to the 1932 Grand Prix de France contributed to a new published circuit length of 7.826 km [3] [4]. The circuit remained essentially the same for the remaining calendar of the pre-war years, concluding the Grand Prix era with the 1938-1939 championship editions of the French Grand Prix [5].
Racing at Reims-Gueux resumed in 1947 with the 16th Grand Prix de Reims, effectively closing the Grand Prix de la Marne series except for a last edition in 1952 and sporadic co-sponsor/name appearances for various racing series. 1948 and 1949 saw the first Formula 1 cars at Reims-Gueux for two non-championship rounds. By then temporary grand-stands were established fixtures at the Gueux / La Garenne and Thillois corners and after hosting the sixth round of the inaugural 1950 World Drivers' Championship, it became clear that the circuit needed extensive renovations to comply with the accelerating Formula 1 technology.
For 1952, the track was re-configured to bypass Gueux via the (then) new D26, shortening the circuit from 7.826 km to 7.152 km (4.444 mi) after which it was re-named "Circuit de Reims" or commonly referred to simply as "Reims". The process was reported to have felled trees and demolished structures to make the circuit safer, yet faster. Improvements continued in preparations for 1953, the inaugural year of the 12 Hours of Reims series, which featured a new D26 extension to intersect with the La Garenne straight about 1.2 km west of the previous Gueux / La Garenne junction, resulting in a new preliminary circuit length of 8.372 km (5.187 mi).
<-- old part -->
The circuit was last used by Formula One in 1966 and the last car meeting was held in 1969. Motor bike racing continued for 3 more years and it closed permanently in 1972 due to financial difficulties.
In 1997, there was to be a historic race held there, but for technical reasons, it was cancelled several months before it was due to take place and in 2002, the bulldozers arrived to demolish some portions of the track. Sections of the track around the pit lanes are still visible today.
The old RN31 straight between Muizon and Thillois has been widened and turned into a dual carriageway though it does follow the same line as the original 2 lane road that was raced on. It is still possible to drive a lap around the version of the circuit used until 1952 (though the old Garenne T-junction was obliterated as part of the widening of the RN31). It is no longer possible to complete a lap of the circuit used from 1953 onwards as the tarmac between Bretelle Nord and Muizon has been dug up. The annual historic meeting uses the Circuit d'Essais which came into being in 1952 and uses the 1953 circuit until La Hovette then turns onto the pre-1953 circuit up to Garenne.
Les Amis du Circuit de Gueux is a non-profit organisation working to preserve traces of the circuit.
The lap record of the original circuit (1926–1951) was 2:27.8 by Juan Manuel Fangio in an Alfa Romeo 159, and the lap record for the faster circuit (1954–1972) was 2:11.3 by Lorenzo Bandini in a Ferrari.
Circuit time line
Race Names | First Year | Last Year | Regulations |
Legend
| Formula Libre = FL - Grand Prix = GP - Voiturette = VT - Formula 1 = F1 - Formula 2 = F2 |
| Formula 3 = F3 - Formula Junior = FJ - Sports car = SC |
Coupe des P. C. = Petites Cylindrées, Trophée P-GT-Sport = Prototypes - Grand Tourisme
| French Grand Prix - GP championship rounds |
| French Grand Prix - F1 non-championship rounds |
| French Grand Prix - F1 championship rounds |
Reims-Gueux by year
| Year | Date | Event | Reg. | Winner | Constructor | Circuit | Laps | Time | km/h av. | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1925 | Aug. 2 |  1° GP de la Marne | FL |  Pierre Clause | Bignan | 22 km | 10 | 2:08:56.4 | 104.20 km/h | Report |
| 1926 | July 25 | 2° GP de la Marne | FL | François Lescot | Bugatti T35B 2L C | 7.816 km | 40 | 2:50:15.6 | 112.77 km/h | Report |
| 1927 | July 10 | 3° GP de la Marne | FL | Philippe Étancelin | Bugatti T35B | 7.816 km | 50 | 3:26:20.2 | 116.32 km/h | Report |
| 1928 | July 8 | 4° GP de la Marne | GP |  Louis Chiron | Bugatti T35 | 7.816 km | 50 | 3:00:47.4 | 132.75 km/h | Report |
| 1929 | July 7 | 5° GP de la Marne | GP | Philippe Étancelin | Bugatti 35C | 7.816 km | 50 | 2:54:14.6 | 137.74 km/h | Report |
| 1930 | June 29 | 6° GP de la Marne | GP | René Dreyfus | Bugatti T35B | 7.816 km | 50 | 2:49:27.6 | 141.626 km/h | Report |
| 1931 | July 5 | 7° GP de la Marne | GP | Marcel Lehoux | Bugatti T51 | 7.816 km | 50 | 2:47:37.4 | 143.18 km/h | Report |
| 1931 | July 5 | 7° GP de la Marne | VT | Philippe Auber | Bugatti T37A | 7.816 km | 50 | 3:19:00.4 | 120.588 km/h | Report |
| 1932 | July 3 | 18° GP de l'ACF | GP |  Tazio Nuvolari | Alfa Romeo Tipo B | 7.826 km | 92 | 2:57:52.8 | 145.3 km/h | Report |
| 1933 | July 2 | 8° GP de la Marne | GP | Philippe Etancelin | Alfa Romeo Monza | 7.826 km | 51 | 2:45:12.4 | 145.0 km/h | Report |
| 1934 | July 8 | 9° GP de la Marne | GP | Louis Chiron | Alfa Romeo Tipo B | 7.826 km | 64 | 3:25:51.8 | 146.0 km/h | Report |
| 1935 | July 7 | 10° GP de la Marne | GP | René Dreyfus | Alfa Romeo Tipo B | 7.826 km | 64 | 2:57:52.8 | 157.760 km/h | Report |
| 1935 | July 7 | 1° GP de Tourisme | SC | Albert Perrot | Delahaye 135 S | 7.826 km | 25 | 1:29:22.7 | 131.34 km/h | Report |
| 1936 | July 5 | 11° GP de la Marne | SC | Jean-Pierre Wimille | Bugatti 57G Tank | 7.826 km | 51 | 2:50:45.3 | 140.245 km/h | Report |
| 1937 | July 18 | 12° GP de la Marne | SC | Jean-Pierre Wimille | Bugatti T59 | 7.826 km | 63 | 3:23:58.4 | 145.030 km/h | Report |
| 1938 | July 2 | 32° GP de l’ACF | GP |  Manfred von Brauchitsch | Mercedes W154 | 7.816 km | 64 | 2:57:52.8 | 168.707 km/h | Report |
| 1939 | July 9 | 33° GP de l’ACF | GP | Hermann Paul Müller | Auto Union D | 7.816 km | 64 | 2:57:52.8 | 168.707 km/h | Report |
| 1939 | July 9 | Coupe Sportive | VT |  Armand Hug | Maserati 4CM | 7.816 km | 38 | 1:58:21.6 | 150.6 km/h | Report |
| 1940 - 1946 (No racing events held) | ||||||||||
| 1947 | July 6 |  16° GP de Reims | GP | Christian Kautz | Maserati 4CL | 7.816 km | 51 | 2:34:50.7 | 155.181 km/h | Report |
| 1947 | July 6 | 1° Coupe des P.C. | F2 |  B. Bira | Simca-Gordini 11 | 7.816 km | 26 | 1:29:20.4 | 136.473 km/h | Report |
| 1948 | July 18 | 35° GP de l’ACF | F1 | Jean-Pierre Wimille | Alfa Romeo 158 | 7.816 km | 64 | 3:01:07.5 | 165.699 km/h | Report |
| 1948 | July 18 | 2° Coupe des P.C. | F2 | Raymond Sommer | Ferrari 166 SC | 7.816 km | 26 | 1:18:48.0 | 154.714 km/h | Report |
| 1949 | July 6 | 36° GP de l’ACF | F1 | Louis Chiron | Talbot-Lago | 7.816 km | 64 | 3:06:33.7 | 160.870 km/h | Report |
| 1949 | July 6 | 3° Coupe des P.C. | F2 |  Alberto Ascari | Ferrari 166 2L | 7.816 km | 26 | 1:19:56.9 | 152.722 km/h | Report |
| 1950 | July 6 | 37° GP de l’ACF | F1 |  Juan Manuel Fangio | Alfa Romeo 158 | 7.816 km | 64 | 2:57:52.8 | 168.722 km/h | Report |
| 1950 | July 6 | 4° Coupe des P.C. | F2 | Alberto Ascari | Ferrari 166 2L | 7.816 km | 26 | 1:16:42.7 | 159.939 km/h | Report |
| 1950 | July 6 | Coupe des Racers 500 | F3 |  Alfred Bottoms | Cowlan-JBS / Norton | 7.816 km | 13 | 46:16.9 | 131.720 km/h | Report |
| 1951 | July 1 | 38° GP de l’ACF * | F1 | Luigi Fagioli Juan Manuel Fangio | Alfa Romeo 159 | 7.816 km | 77 | 3:22:11.0 | 178.600 km/h | Report |
| 1952 | June 29 | 13° GP de la Marne | F2 | Jean Behra | Gordini T16 | 7.152 km | 71 | 3 hrs | 169.935 km/h | Report |
| 1953 | July 5 | 40° GP de l’ACF | F2 | Mike Hawthorn | Ferrari 500 2L | 8.347 km | 60 | 2:44:18.6 | 182.881 km/h | Report |
| 1954 | July 4 | 41° GP de l’ACF | F1 | Juan Manuel Fangio | Mercedes W196 | 8,302 km | 61 | 2:42:47.9 | 186.644 km/h | Report |
| 1955 (No racing events held) | ||||||||||
| 1956 | July 1 | 42° GP de l’ACF | F1 | Peter Collins | Lancia-Ferrari | 8.302 km | 61 | 2:34:23.4 | 196.809 km/h | Report |
| 1957 | July 14 | 2° GP de Reims | F1 | Luigi Musso | Lancia-Ferrari D50 | 8.302 km | 61 | 2:34:23.4 | 196.809 km/h | Report |
| 1957 | July 6 | 1° Coupe de Vitesse | F2 | Maurice Trintignant | Ferrari D156 F2 | 8.302 km | 37 | 1:40:06.8 | 184.090 km/h | Report |
| 1958 | July 6 | 44° GP de l’ACF | F1 | Mike Hawthorn | Ferrari 246 | 8.302 km | 50 | 2:03:21.3 | 201.905 km/h | Report |
| 1958 | July 6 | 2° Coupe de Vitesse | F2 | Jean Behra | Porsche 718 F2 | 8.302 km | 30 | 1:19:45.0 | 187.374 km/h | Report |
| 1959 | July 5 | 45° GP de l’ACF * | F1 | Tony Brooks | Ferrari 256 | 8.302 km | 50 | 2:01:26.5 | 205.086 km/h | Report |
| 1959 | July 5 | 3° Coupe de Vitesse | F2 | Stirling Moss | Cooper T45 | 8.302 km | 25 | 1:04:54.2 | 191.864 km/h | Report |
| 1960 | July 3 | 46° GP de l’ACF | F1 |  Jack Brabham | Cooper-Climax | 8.302 km | 50 | 1:57:24.9 | 212.119 km/h | Report |
| 1960 | July 3 | 1° Coupe de Juniors | FJ | Mike McKee | Lotus 18 Cosworth | 8.302 km | 20 | 58:45.4 | 169.548 km/h | Report |
| 1961 | July 2 | 47° GP de l’ACF | F1 | Giancarlo Baghetti | Ferrari 156 | 8.302 km | 52 | 2:14:17.5 | 192.880 km/h | Report |
| 1961 | July 2 | 2° Coupe de Juniors | FJ | Trevor Taylor | Lotus 20 Cosworth | 8.302 km | 30 | 1:24:44.1 | 176.352 km/h | Report |
| 1962 | July 1 | 3° GP de Reims | F1 | Bruce McLaren | Cooper Climax T60 | 8.302 km | 50 | 2:02:32.2 | 203.31 km/h | Report |
| 1962 | July 1 | 3° Coupe de Juniors | FJ | Mike Spence | Lotus 22 Cosworth | 8.302 km | 10 | 27:03.1 | 184.130 km/h | Report |
| 1963 | June 30 | 49° GP de l’ACF | F1 |  Jim Clark | Lotus-Climax | 8.302 km | 53 | 2:10:54.3 | 201.676 km/h | Report |
| 1963 | June 30 | Trophee P-GT-Sport | SC | Carlo Mario Abate | Ferrari TRI/61 | 8.302 km | 25 | 01:02:59.5 | 197,686 km/h | Report |
| 1963 | June 30 | 4° Coupe de Juniors | FJ |  Denis Hulme | Brabham BT6 Cosworth | 8.302 km | 20 | 54:27.0 | 182.958 km/h | Report |
| 1964 | July 5 | Grands Prix France | F2 | Alan Rees | Brabham Cosworth | 8.302 km | 37 | 01:36:10.6 | 191.625 km/h | Report |
| 1964 | July 5 | 4° Coupe de Vitesse | F3 | Jackie Stewart | Cooper BMC | 8.302 km | 20 | 57:15.8 | 173.969 km/h | Report |
| 1965 | July 4 | Grands Prix France | F2 |  Jochen Rindt | Brabham Cosworth | 8.302 km | 37 | 01:33:55.7 | 196.212 km/h | Report |
| 1965 | July 4 | 5° Coupe de Vitesse | F3 | Jean-Pierre Beltoise | Matra - Cosworth | 8.302 km | 20 | 54:33.8 | 182.578 km/h | Report |
| 1966 | July 2 | Grands Prix France | F2 | Jack Brabham | Brabham Honda | 8.302 km | 37 | 01:33:32.4 | 197.026 km/h | Report |
| 1966 | July 3 | 52° GP de l’ACF * | F1 | Jack Brabham | Brabham BT19 | 8.302 km | 48 | 01:48:31.3 | 220.315 km/h | Report |
| 1966 | July 3 | 6° Coupe de Vitesse | F3 | John Fenning | Matra - Cosworth | 8.302 km | 20 | 55:16.3 | 180,238 km/h | Report |
| 1967 | June 25 | Les Trophees de France | F2 | Jochen Rindt | Brabham BT23 | 8.302 km | 37 | 01:25:25.4 | 215.747 km/h | Report |
| 1967 | June 25 | 7° Coupe de Vitesse | F3 | Jean-Pierre Jabouille | Matra - Cosworth | 8.302 km | 20 | 54:39.8 | 182,243 km/h | Report |
| 1968 | June 25 | Les Trophees de France | F2 | Jackie Stewart | Matra MS7 Cosworth | 8.302 km | 35 | 01:25:23.1 | 207.869 km/h | Report |
| 1968 | June 25 | 8° Coupe de Vitesse | F3 | Peter Westbury | Brabham BT21 | 8.302 km | 15 | 41:29.3 | 180.088 km/h | Report |
| 1969 | June 25 | Les Trophees de France | F2 | François Cevert | Tecno Ford TF | 8.302 km | 35 | 01:19:21.3 | 219.692 km/h | Report |
| 1969 | June 25 | 9° Coupe de Vitesse | F3 |  Peter de Merrit | Tecno Toyota | 8.302 km | 15 | 53:39.3 | 185.669 km/h | Report |
| Sources: [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] | ||||||||||
Notes
Notes: more stuff to look through: F2 - F3`racing series appearing at Reims
Coupe de la Commission Sportive de l’ACFCoupe des Petites Cylindrees
Coupe des Racers 500
La Coupe International de Vitesse F2
Le Challenge International de Vitesse F1
Coupe Internationale des Juniors
Coupe de Vitesse Juniors
Coupe Internationale de Vitesse des Juniors Challenge Jean Behra
1962 Grand Prix International de Reims
Trophee International Prototypes Grand Tourisme et Sport
Les Grands Prix de France (F2)
Coupe Nationale R8 Gordini
Le Criterium National F.F.S.A. Formule France (1968)
Coupe International de Vitesse F3
Coupe des Provinces
Coupe des Provinces – Associations Sportives des Automobile-clubs
Les Trophees de France F2
(http://www.amis-du-circuit-de-gueux.fr/PALMARES-HISTORIQUE-du-CIRCUIT-de)
1952 13th Grand Prix de la Marne? - Les Grands Prix de France (F2 series)? - 1st Grand Prix de Reims? - French F2 championship?
1957 Le Challenge International de Vitesse F1 (aka: XXIII Grand Prix de Reims? - XXII Grand Prix de la Marne? -
Coupe de Vitesse (F3)
1st Coupe de Vitesse: Pau, April 5. 1964 (http://www.formula2.net/F364_IndexE.htm)