john.r.davies Posted October 29 Report Posted October 29 Many of you will have visited the Reims-Gueux Circuit, the extraordinary piece of motorsport history, preserved by chance and the labours of Les Amis du Circuit de Reims Gueux, a voluntary, unfunded association of motorsport enthusiasts. Les Amis have just sent me notice of a video they have made on the Circuit, it's history and how they have rescued it from an overgrown wreck into an icon of motorsport history. The video includes historic footage (in monochrome and colour!), details of its restoration and the present status of the track and it's buildings. Enjoy! In sending me notice of this video, Les Amis have told me that they are, "eagerly awaiting the municipal elections of March 2026 to take back control of the site. A second list of candidates is running in opposition to the current mayor, and this gives us great hope!" This is because the present Mayor of Gueux, which commune owns the land that the circuit buildings stand on, has placed punitive limits on the activities of Les Amis, and prepared to lease the land and buildings to a developer. I'm sure we would all wish to support Les Amis! If you did wish to support them by joining Les Amis and donating to their cause, please go to https://www.amis-du-circuit-de-gueux.fr/events/25. Bonne chance! John Quote
Dave McDonald Posted November 1 Report Posted November 1 John, brilliant period footage of the Reims circuit. Pity I couldn’t understand the dialogue but the old films were fantastic. I hadn’t realised racing went on there into the mid 60s I’d thought it was very much a 50s circuit. Great to see many 50s drivers, Fangio, Hawthorn, Gonzales and 60s, Clark, Brabham, Bandini, etc Did you spot the TR2 at 17 mins 50 secs? Lorenzo Bandini trying to repair his Ferrari trackside at 28 mins 30 sec? You wouldn’t catch today’s drivers doing that. We’ve visited the remaining pits and grandstands alongside the main road around 10 years ago and they were in surprisingly good condition, but, search as I might, I cannot find the photos. Good luck to the team trying to maintain the connection and history. Dave McD Quote
john.r.davies Posted November 2 Author Report Posted November 2 Fangio! Gueux was Fangio's first race circuit in Europe, and his last, ever. In 1948, Fangio was sent to Europe as part of a group to see if a official national Argentine race team could compete, and in July, he was a spectator at Gueux. The Gordini team needed a driver, Trintignant having been injured, and knowing of his South American exploits, Amedee Gordini asked him to drive, in both Formulas 1 and 2. Both his cars had mechanical problems, but he set a second fastest time in F2 practice. The rest, as they say, is history. Ten years later he was driving for Maserati at Gueux, a new design the 250F. He didn't like it, it had poor balance, and in the first few laps, the clutch pedal broke off, but he continued to drive, struggling to keep the pace. Mike Hawthorne was in the lead and on the last lap was about to lap him, but out of respect for the Great Man let him cross the finish line unlapped. As Fangio drew into the pits, he said to his mechanic, "C'est fini". He never competed again. John Quote
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