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France Circuit de Reims-Gueux
LocationGueux, west of Reims, France
Time zoneGMT +1
Major eventsGrand Prix de la Marne
French Grand Prix
12 Hours of Reims,
1926 Original circuit
Length7.816 km (4.856 miles)
Turns8
Race lap record2:27.8
(Argentina Juan Manuel Fangio,
 Italy Alfa Romeo 159,
1951, Formula One)
1952 Variation
Length7.152 km (4.444 miles)
Turns5
1953 Variation
Length8.372 km (5.187 miles)
Turns7
1954 Variation
Length8.302 km (5.158 miles)
Turns7
Race lap record2:11.3
(Italy Lorenzo Bandini,
 Italy Ferrari 312,
1966, Formula One)

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

Motor racing started in 1926 with the second Grand Prix de la Marne, relocating the race from the Circuit de Beine-Nauroy to Reims-Gueux. 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 after which the circuit remained essentially the same until 1937 [3] [4].

Organizational changes prior to the 1938 GP de France saw extensive widening of the Thillois-Gueux straight. The process was reported to have felled trees and demolished structures to make the circuit yet faster, 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 ending the Grand Prix de la Marne series except for a last edition in 1952. 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 further 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 section, 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". Improvements continued in preparations for 1953, the inaugural year of the 12 Hours of Reims series, which featured a new D26 track extension from the Virage de la Hovette (Annie Bousquet corner) to a new purpose built intersection with the La Garenne straight (Muizon corner) 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). The last major modifications were before the 1954 season, re-profiling the new Muizon corner from the previous year and the Thillois corner to a larger and faster radius, which established again a shorter and final circuit length of 8.302 km (5.158 mi).

The last year for Formula One at Reims came in 1966, final sports car competitions were held in 1969 and Motorcycle racing continued for another 3 years. In 1972, Reims-Gueux closed permanently due to financial difficulties. There was to be a historic race held in 1997 but it was cancelled for technical reasons several months before it was due to take place and by 2002, the bulldozers arrived to demolish some portions of the track. A few sections of the old circuit are still visible today around the pit lane, at the D26 / D27 round-about and a part of the D26 extension at the Hovette corner to what once was the 1953 Muizon hair-pin (visible on current sat. images).

Today, the old RN31 straight between Muizon and Thillois is a wider, dual carriageway though it does follow the same line as the original 2 lane road of the former circuit. It is still possible to drive a lap around the (more or less) original 1926 version (through the center of Gueux) and the 1952 variant of the circuit, except for the old Garenne -junction which was obliterated as part of the RN31 modernization. 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 removed. Les Amis du Circuit de Gueux (a non-profit organization) is working to preserve the old pit building, grandstands and other remaining structures of the circuit and actively support historic meetings which use the 1952 Circuit d'Essais.


Racing series at Reims-Gueux

Race Names

Grand Prix de la Marne
Coupe d’Or (1° 12 Heures de Reims)
Grand Prix de France (GP de l'ACF)
Grand Prix de la Marne de Tourisme
Coupe de la Commission Sportive de l'ACF
Grand Prix de Reims
Coupe des Petites Cylindrées
Coupe des Racers 500
European Grand Prix (honorary)*
12 Heures Internationales de Reims
Coupe Internationale de Vitesse
Coupe de Juniors
Trophée International Prototypes Grand Tourisme et Sport
Les Grands Prix France
Les Trophées de France

 

Editions

13
1
16
1
1
3
4
1
3
8
9
4
1
3
3

 

First Year

1926
1926
1932
1935
1939
1947
1947
1950
1951
1953
1957
1960
1963
1964
1967

 

Last Year

1952
-
1966
-
-
1962
1950
-
1966
1967
1969
1963
-
1966
1969

 

Regulations

FL - GP - VT - SC
FL - SC
GP - F1 - F2
SC
VT
GP - F1
F2
F3
F1
SC
F2 - F3
FJ
SC
F2
F2


Reims-Gueux by year

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


  Year     Date   EventReg.WinnerConstructorCircuitLapsTimekm/h av.Report
1925Aug. 2 1° GP de la MarneFL Pierre ClauseBignan22 km102:08:56.4104.20 km/hReport
1926July 25 2° GP de la MarneFL François LescotBugatti T35B 2L C7.816 km402:50:15.6112.77 km/hReport
1927July 10 3° GP de la MarneFL Philippe ÉtancelinBugatti T35B7.816 km503:26:20.2116.32 km/hReport
1928July 8 4° GP de la MarneGP Louis ChironBugatti T357.816 km503:00:47.4132.75 km/hReport
1929July 7 5° GP de la MarneGP Philippe ÉtancelinBugatti 35C7.816 km502:54:14.6137.74 km/hReport
1930June 29 6° GP de la MarneGP René DreyfusBugatti T35B7.816 km502:49:27.6141.626 km/hReport
1931July 5 7° GP de la MarneGP Marcel LehouxBugatti T517.816 km502:47:37.4143.18 km/hReport
1931July 5 7° GP de la MarneVT Philippe AuberBugatti T37A7.816 km503:19:00.4120.588 km/hReport
1932July 3 18° GP de l'ACFGP Tazio NuvolariAlfa Romeo Tipo B7.826 km922:57:52.8145.3 km/hReport
1933July 2 8° GP de la MarneGP Philippe EtancelinAlfa Romeo Monza7.826 km512:45:12.4145.0 km/hReport
1934July 8 9° GP de la MarneGP Louis ChironAlfa Romeo Tipo B7.826 km643:25:51.8146.0 km/hReport
1935July 7 10° GP de la MarneGP René DreyfusAlfa Romeo Tipo B7.826 km642:57:52.8157.760 km/hReport
1935July 7 1° GP de TourismeSC Albert PerrotDelahaye 135 S7.826 km251:29:22.7131.34 km/hReport
1936July 5 11° GP de la MarneSC Jean-Pierre WimilleBugatti 57G Tank7.826 km512:50:45.3140.245 km/hReport
1937July 18 12° GP de la MarneSC Jean-Pierre WimilleBugatti T597.826 km633:23:58.4145.030 km/hReport
1938July 2 32° GP de l’ACFGP Manfred von BrauchitschMercedes W1547.816 km642:57:52.8168.707 km/hReport
1939July 9 33° GP de l’ACFGP Hermann Paul MüllerAuto Union D7.816 km642:57:52.8168.707 km/hReport
1939July 9 Coupe SportiveVT Armand HugMaserati 4CM7.816 km381:58:21.6150.6 km/hReport
1940 - 1946 (No racing events held)
1947July 6 16° GP de ReimsGP Christian KautzMaserati 4CL7.816 km512:34:50.7155.181 km/hReport
1947July 6 1° Coupe des P.C.F2 B. BiraSimca-Gordini 117.816 km261:29:20.4136.473 km/hReport
1948July 18 35° GP de l’ACFF1 Jean-Pierre WimilleAlfa Romeo 1587.816 km643:01:07.5165.699 km/hReport
1948July 18 2° Coupe des P.C.F2 Raymond SommerFerrari 166 SC7.816 km261:18:48.0154.714 km/hReport
1949July 6 36° GP de l’ACFF1 Louis ChironTalbot-Lago7.816 km643:06:33.7160.870 km/hReport
1949July 6 3° Coupe des P.C.F2 Alberto AscariFerrari 166 2L7.816 km261:19:56.9152.722 km/hReport
1950July 6 37° GP de l’ACFF1 Juan Manuel FangioAlfa Romeo 1587.816 km642:57:52.8168.722 km/hReport
1950July 6 4° Coupe des P.C.F2 Alberto AscariFerrari 166 2L7.816 km261:16:42.7159.939 km/hReport
1950July 6 Coupe des Racers 500F3 Alfred BottomsCowlan-JBS / Norton7.816 km1346:16.9131.720 km/hReport
1951July 1 38° GP de l’ACF *F1 Luigi Fagioli
Juan Manuel Fangio
Alfa Romeo 1597.816 km773:22:11.0178.600 km/hReport
1952June 29 13° GP de la MarneF2 Jean BehraGordini T167.152 km713 hrs169.935 km/hReport
1953July 5 40° GP de l’ACFF2 Mike HawthornFerrari 500 2L8.347 km602:44:18.6182.881 km/hReport
1954July 4 41° GP de l’ACFF1 Juan Manuel FangioMercedes W1968,302 km612:42:47.9186.644 km/hReport
1955 (No racing events held)
1956July 1 42° GP de l’ACFF1 Peter CollinsLancia-Ferrari8.302 km612:34:23.4196.809 km/hReport
1957July 14 2° GP de ReimsF1 Luigi MussoLancia-Ferrari D508.302 km612:34:23.4196.809 km/hReport
1957July 6 1° Coupe de VitesseF2 Maurice TrintignantFerrari D156 F28.302 km371:40:06.8184.090 km/hReport
1958July 6 44° GP de l’ACFF1 Mike HawthornFerrari 2468.302 km502:03:21.3201.905 km/hReport
1958July 6 2° Coupe de VitesseF2 Jean BehraPorsche 718 F28.302 km301:19:45.0187.374 km/hReport
1959July 5 45° GP de l’ACF *F1 Tony BrooksFerrari 2568.302 km502:01:26.5205.086 km/hReport
1959July 5 3° Coupe de VitesseF2 Stirling MossCooper T458.302 km251:04:54.2191.864 km/hReport
1960July 3 46° GP de l’ACFF1 Jack BrabhamCooper-Climax8.302 km501:57:24.9212.119 km/hReport
1960July 3 1° Coupe de JuniorsFJ Mike McKeeLotus 18 Cosworth8.302 km2058:45.4169.548 km/hReport
1961July 2 47° GP de l’ACFF1 Giancarlo BaghettiFerrari 1568.302 km522:14:17.5192.880 km/hReport
1961July 2 2° Coupe de JuniorsFJ Trevor TaylorLotus 20 Cosworth8.302 km301:24:44.1176.352 km/hReport
1962July 1 3° GP de ReimsF1 Bruce McLarenCooper Climax T608.302 km502:02:32.2203.31 km/hReport
1962July 1 3° Coupe de JuniorsFJ Mike SpenceLotus 22 Cosworth8.302 km1027:03.1184.130 km/hReport
1963June 30 49° GP de l’ACFF1 Jim ClarkLotus-Climax8.302 km532:10:54.3201.676 km/hReport
1963June 30 Trophee P-GT-SportSC Carlo Mario AbateFerrari TRI/618.302 km2501:02:59.5197,686 km/hReport
1963June 30 4° Coupe de JuniorsFJ Denis HulmeBrabham BT6 Cosworth8.302 km2054:27.0182.958 km/hReport
1964July 5 Grands Prix FranceF2 Alan ReesBrabham Cosworth8.302 km3701:36:10.6191.625 km/hReport
1964July 5 4° Coupe de VitesseF3 Jackie StewartCooper BMC8.302 km2057:15.8173.969 km/hReport
1965July 4 Grands Prix FranceF2 Jochen RindtBrabham Cosworth8.302 km3701:33:55.7196.212 km/hReport
1965July 4 5° Coupe de VitesseF3 Jean-Pierre BeltoiseMatra - Cosworth8.302 km2054:33.8182.578 km/hReport
1966July 2 Grands Prix FranceF2 Jack BrabhamBrabham Honda8.302 km3701:33:32.4197.026 km/hReport
1966July 3 52° GP de l’ACF *F1 Jack BrabhamBrabham BT198.302 km4801:48:31.3220.315 km/hReport
1966July 3 6° Coupe de VitesseF3 John FenningMatra - Cosworth8.302 km2055:16.3180,238 km/hReport
1967June 25 Les Trophées de FranceF2 Jochen RindtBrabham BT238.302 km3701:25:25.4215.747 km/hReport
1967June 25 7° Coupe de VitesseF3 Jean-Pierre JabouilleMatra - Cosworth8.302 km2054:39.8182,243 km/hReport
1968June 25 Les Trophées de FranceF2 Jackie StewartMatra MS7 Cosworth8.302 km3501:25:23.1207.869 km/hReport
1968June 25 8° Coupe de VitesseF3 Peter WestburyBrabham BT218.302 km1541:29.3180.088 km/hReport
1969June 25 Les Trophées de FranceF2 François CevertTecno Ford TF8.302 km3501:19:21.3219.692 km/hReport
1969June 25 9° Coupe de VitesseF3 Peter de MerritTecno Toyota8.302 km1553:39.3185.669 km/hReport
Sources: [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22]

Reims-Gueux Circuit Variations

Street Map - Reims-Gueux 1926
Street Map - Reims 1952
Street Map - Reims- 1953



References