The much-missed Reims-Gueux

Drivers who won races at Reims didn’t have far to go for a glass or two of champagne. This wonderful old circuit, where slipstreaming down the super-fast straights was thrilling to behold, used undulating public roads through the wine country near the city of Reims.

This was a circuit that favoured the brave and the late brakers, in the days before DRS trains and ‘dirty air’ made racing at close quarters so difficult. One of the fastest tracks of its time, the challenge of Reims was also a twisty section with some swift corners that required perfect set-up.

Originally conceived in 1926 as the Circuit Reims-Gueux, named after the local village, the roads were used for the Grand Prix de La Marne and the Reims 12 Hours – a sports car race that was revived in 1953 and continued until 1967. The original track was shortened but a longer back straight made it one of the fastest in Europe, along with Spa and Avus.

Reims was a fixture on the Formula 1 World Championship calendar from 1950, hosting the French Grand Prix along with Rouen and Clermont Ferrand; its final year on French GP duties was 1966.

The circuit was popular with both drivers and spectators thanks to its excellent facilities which included a huge scoreboard that could be seen from the packed grandstands. The cost of staging races on public roads led to its closure but, ironically, after ’66 the French GP was continued at Rouen and Clermont-Ferrand, both also road circuits.

The last race at Reims was in 1972. The local mayor decreed it should be demolished but that same year a new mayor was elected and most of the buildings were saved and preserved. Today the pits and grandstands remain as a reminder of one of the sport’s greatest circuits alongside the vineyards producing the sparkling wine that has been sprayed on podiums throughout the world ever since Dan Gurney celebrated his victory down the road at Le Mans in 1967.

Reims-Gueux

In use 1926-1972
Fastest race lap 2min 10.5sec, Paul Hawkins, Lola T70 MkIII, Reims 12 Hours, 1967

My top 3 tracks: Andrew Jordan

• I instantly clicked with Thruxton – I had great success there in BTCC. High speeds require bravery and a balance of aggression and finesse. I found it best not to fight the car but to let it have its own way in fast corners like Noble, Church and Goodwood.
• Oulton Park is a great old-school circuit that hasn’t changed much. The undulations and narrow track give a massive impression of speed, especially up to and through Druids. It demands respect because there’s never a time not to concentrate.
• I thought Sebring would be a flat airfield, not much character, but it’s bumpy, fast and a real driver’s track that rewards bravery. You can really hustle the car through the infield. When its dark there it’s very, very dark and it’s one of my favourite races of the year.