Preview: 50 Years of the Circuit des Remparts Angoulême

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The Circuit des Remparts will this year celebrate 50 years since the first ‘Circuit Automobile des Remparts’ at Angoulême with a re-evocation of that original grid.  Run in 1939 as two qualifying heats of 40-laps each, followed by a final of 70 laps, it was hardly surprising there were a number of DNFs behind eventual winner Raymond Sommer in an Alfa Romeo 308, the only truly modern GP car to have competed. 

This year’s event will feature many favourites, such as the Bugatti races, this year split into two categories, for four and eight and cylinder cars.  Other pre-war grids will include pre-war GP racers and there will also be a grid for Edwardian cars. 

Post-war cars will run in two grids, for cars up to 1965 and for cars up to 1976.  In addition, numerous demos and themed runs are planned.

As usual there will be the Concours d’Élégance and the Concours d’État and the International rally, all culminating on Sunday when the streets are closed and the racing takes place in front of packed grandstands.  Dates this year are 13-15 September.  For once it doesn’t clash with Spa Six Hours, which has moved to 27-29 September this year, but it does clash with the Goodwood Revival.

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