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Circuit de Charade

Coordinates:45°44′50″N3°02′20″E/ 45.74722°N 3.03889°E/45.74722; 3.03889
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Circuit de Charade

The original 8.055 km version of the track

The modern 3.975 km circuit, first used in 1989
LocationSaint-Genès-Champanelle,Auvergne,France
Time zoneCET(UTC+1)
CEST(DST)
Coordinates45°44′50″N3°02′20″E/ 45.74722°N 3.03889°E/45.74722; 3.03889
Broke groundMay 1957;67 years ago(1957-05)
Opened27 July 1958;65 years ago(1958-07-27)
Major eventsFormer:
Formula One
French Grand Prix
(1965, 1969–1970, 1972)
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
French motorcycle Grand Prix(1959–1964, 1966–1967, 1972, 1974)
Sidecar World Championship
(1959–1962, 1964, 1966–1967, 1972, 1974)
World Sportscar Championship(1962–1963)
FFSA GT Championship(1998)
French Supertouring Championship(1990–1991, 1994–1996, 1998–1999)
Formula 750(1973)
Websitehttps://www.charade.fr/
Modern Circuit (1989–present)
Length3.975 km (2.470 miles)
Turns18
Race lap record1:43.827 (FranceSébastien Bourdais,Martini MK79,1999,F3)
Original Circuit (1958–1988)
Length8.055 km (5.005 miles)
Turns48
Race lap record2:53.900 (New ZealandChris Amon,Matra MS120D,1972,F1)

TheCircuit de Charade,also known asCircuit Louis RosierandCircuit Clermont-Ferrand,is amotorsportrace trackinSaint-Genès-ChampanellenearClermont-Ferrandin thePuy-de-DômedepartmentinAuvergnein centralFrance.[1][2]The circuit, built around the base of an extinct volcano, was known for its challenging layout which favored the most skillful drivers and motorcyclists.[1][2]It hosted theFrench Grand Prixfour times and theFrench motorcycle Grand Prixten times.

Circuit history[edit]

There had been local interest in motorsport racing beginning with proposals in 1908 for a race on astreet circuit,although the proposals were never enacted.[1]Efforts were renewed after the Second World War when the President of the Sports Association of the Automobile Club of Auvergne, Jean Auchatraire, and accomplished racerLouis Rosierdesigned a course by adapting pre-existing roads around thePuy de Dôme,an extinctvolcanowhich dominated the city skyline.[1][3]Construction began in May 1957 and the first race was held in July 1958 when anendurance racewas won byInnes Irelandin aLotus 1100,and aFormula Tworace won byMaurice Trintignantin aCooper T43.[1]

Originally, the 8.055 km (5.005 mi) long circuit was described as an even twistier and faster version of theNürburgring.[2][4]With a relentless number of sharp curves and elevation changes and with almost no discernible straights, the circuit was both feared and respected by competitors.[2][4]Thesinuoustrack layout caused some drivers likeJochen Rindtin the1969 French Grand Prixto complain ofmotion sickness,and wore open face helmets just in case.[1][2]Despite the numerous curves, the track was relatively fast withChris Amonsetting the lap record in aMatra MS120with a 167 km/h (104 mph) average during the1972 French Grand Prix.[2][5]

In his 1969 bookMotor Cycle Racing,Peter Carrick wrote:

The French Grand Prix circuit at Clermont Ferrand was seen to be in complete contrast to the lap atMonza,when it was first used in 1959: the longest straight was 590 m (650 yd) and a variety of really tight corners quickly demonstrated—or exposed—a rider's skill![6]

The venue first gained international prominence when it hosted theFrench motorcycle Grand Prixin1959,won byJohn Surteesriding anMV Agusta.[1][7]The circuit would host the French motorcycle Grand Prix ten times between 1959 and1974.[1]In 1959,Stirling Mosscompeted on the track for the first time and declared: "I don't know a more wonderful track than Charade".[3]Also in 1959,Ivor Buebwinner of the1955 24 Hours of Le Mans,died following a crash at the Charade Circuit.[3]The death would mark the only driver fatality at the circuit.[3]The only motorcyclist fatality occurred when Marcelin Herranz was killed on June 1,1963during the 250cc race of the French motorcycle Grand Prix.[8]

Yves Montand in a scene filmed at Circuit de Charade for the 1966 film,Grand Prix.

The1964 Trophées d'AuvergneFormula 2 race podium was a sign of things to come:Denny Hulme,Jackie StewartandJochen Rindtshowed their skill before the circuit hosted its firstFormula 1race whenJim Clarkwon the1965 French Grand PrixforTeam Lotus.[9][10]In 1965,John Frankenheimerfilmed a small part of his movieGrand Prixin front of 3,000 local inhabitants, who posed as race spectators watching actors likeYves MontandandFrançoise Hardy.[1][2]In total four Formula One French Grand Prix were held at Charade, in1965,1969,1970and1972.

Jacky Ickx and Chris Amon competing during the 1969French Grand Prix.

While the circuit's natural setting created conditions for a sinuous, challenging race course, it also created safety concerns due to the dark, volcanic rocks which fell from the mountain onto both sides of the track.[1]The rocks posed a perennial hazard at the Charade Circuit, as was shown during the 1972 French Grand Prix when ten drivers, includingChris Amon,suffered tire punctures.[1][2]Drivers who skirted the track edge would send rocks flying in the middle of the road and into the path of pursuing competitors. One particular incident at the 1972 French Grand Prix involved a rock penetratingHelmut Marko's helmet visor after being kicked up from ahead of him, cutting his racing career short as his left eye was subsequently blinded.[1][2]The mountainous topography also left no room to provide saferun-off areasin the event of competitors losing control of their vehicles and unintentionally leaving the race course.[1][2]

The venue became increasingly shunned by international racing series as concerns about the public roads' dangerous nature rose.[1]In 1971, the newly built and much saferCircuit Paul Ricardheld the French Grand Prix for the first time, before becoming the event's permanent home from 1973 to 1990, alternating the French Grand Prix with the CircuitDijon-Prenois.[1][11]It continued to host smaller motorsports competitions such asFormula 3,sports car racing,touring car racing,rallyingandhillclimbingas well as the Trophées d'Auverne.[1]In 1980, threetrack marshalswere killed at a touring car race,[12]and in 1984 there was a drivers protest over track safety. Faced with increasing safety issues and with the natural topography preventing any chance of adding run-off areas, the final race on the original 8.055 km (5.005 mi) track was held on September 18, 1988.[1]

Modernization[edit]

TheGeneral CouncilofPuy-de-Dômerecognized the importance of the race track to the local economy and financed the building of a new 3.975 km (2.470 mi) circuit utilising only the southern portion of the original, with a new link road completing the circuit.[1][2][13]The new Circuit de Charade opened in 1989 hosting national championship races in the1994 French Supertouring Championshipand the 1998FFSA GT Championship.

Currently, the venue holds events such astrack days,driving courses as well ashistoric motorsportevents.[1][2]In 2000, the roads were closed to the public, with the track becoming a truly permanent facility with newpit garagesand a widened pit lane.[1][2]The original sections of the 8.055 km (5.005 mi) street circuit are still in use as public roadways.[1][2]

Lap records[edit]

As of June 1999, the fastest official race lap records at the Circuit de Charade are listed as:

Category Time Driver Vehicle Event
Modern Circuit: 3.975 km (1989–present)
Formula Three 1:43.827[14] Sébastien Bourdais Martini MK79 1999 Charade French F3 round
GT2 (GT1) 1:53.679[15] Jean-Pierre Jarier Porsche 911 GT2 1998 Charade FFSA GT round
Formula Renault 2.0 1:56.600[16] Olivier Couvreur Alpa FR90 1990 Charade French Formula Renault round
Original Circuit: 8.055 km (1958–1988)
Formula One 2:53.900 Chris Amon Matra MS120D 1972 French Grand Prix
Sports 2000 3:05.300[17] Derek Bell Abarth-Osella PA2 1974 Charade European Sportscar Championship round
Group 6 3:10.800[18] Gérard Larrousse Matra-Simca MS660 1971 Trophées d'Auvergne
Formula Three 3:15.500[19] Jacques Laffite Martini MK14 1973 Charade French F3 round
Formula Renault 2.0 3:18.170[20] André Bourdon Martini MK36 1990 Charade French Formula Renault round
500cc 3:32.400 Giacomo Agostini Yamaha YZR500 1974 French motorcycle Grand Prix
350cc 3:33.800 Giacomo Agostini Yamaha TZ 350 1974 French motorcycle Grand Prix
Formula Two 3:40.900[21] Richard Attwood Lola T54 1964 Trophées d'Auvergne
Formula Junior 3:43.800[22] Richard Attwood Lola Mk5A 1963 Trophées d'Auvergne Formula Junior
125cc 3:48.900 Bill Ivy Yamaha 125 V4 1967 French motorcycle Grand Prix
250cc 3:36.000 Mike Hailwood Honda RC166 1967 French motorcycle Grand Prix
Sports cars 3:50.100[23] Tony Hegbourne[a]
Lorenzo Bandini[a]		 Lotus 23B[a]
Ferrari 250 TRI61[a]		 1963 Trophées d'Auvergne
50cc 4:18.300 Henk van Kessel Kreidler 50 GP 1974 French motorcycle Grand Prix

Notes[edit]

  1. ^abcdBoth drivers took the same lap time independently.

References[edit]

  1. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstu"Charade".racingcircuits.info.Retrieved31 March2017.
  2. ^abcdefghijklmn"The Volcanic Rush of Clermont Ferrand".speedhunters.com. August 2013.Retrieved3 April2017.
  3. ^abcd"A Brief History of Charade".theracingline.net.Retrieved4 April2017.
  4. ^ab"Circuit Charade".espn.co.uk.Retrieved3 April2017.
  5. ^"1972 French Grand Prix fastest laps".formula1.com.Retrieved6 April2017.
  6. ^Carrick, PeterMotor Cycle RacingHamlyn Publishing 1969/70 p.91ISBN0 600 02506 3Accessed 2013-07-30
  7. ^"1959 French motorcycle Grand Prix".motogp.com. Archived fromthe originalon 9 June 2017.Retrieved3 April2017.
  8. ^"French Cycle Racer Killed in Crash".The Washington Post.June 2, 1963. p. C4.
  9. ^"GP d'Auvergne".Formula 2.Retrieved2014-02-04.
  10. ^"1965 French Grand Prix".formula1.com.Retrieved3 April2017.
  11. ^"Paul Ricard Circuit History".www.circuitpaulricard.com.Archived fromthe originalon 20 December 2016.Retrieved15 June2017.
  12. ^"Car and truck fatalities by circuit".Motorsport Memorial.Retrieved2012-05-28.
  13. ^"Circuit".Circuit de Charade.Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme.Retrieved23 September2017.
  14. ^"1999 French Formula 3 Trophée d´Auvergne (Race 1)".20 June 1999.Retrieved5 July2022.
  15. ^"FFSA GT Championship Charade 1998".14 June 1998.Retrieved16 June2022.
  16. ^"1990 Championnat de France Formule Renault Charade".10 June 1990.Retrieved27 May2024.
  17. ^"Trophée d'Auvergne 1974".23 June 1974.Retrieved16 June2022.
  18. ^"Trophée d'Auvergne 1971".20 June 1971.Retrieved16 June2022.
  19. ^"1973 French Formula 3 XV Trophée de Auvergne".17 June 1973.Retrieved15 July2022.
  20. ^"1982 Championnat de France Formule Renault Charade".25 June 1982.Retrieved27 May2024.
  21. ^"1964 Clermont-Ferrand F2".Motor Sport Magazine.19 July 1964.Retrieved15 July2022.
  22. ^"V Trophée d´Auvergne Formula Junior".7 July 1963.Retrieved15 July2022.
  23. ^"Trophée d'Auvergne 1963".7 July 1963.Retrieved16 June2022.

External links[edit]

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