Mini adventure to Le Mans (& Rouen circuit)

[tarkatom]

Me and a friend are driving to the race this year in a 1986 mini mayfair (modified), hopefully with gulf livery. we plan to do the dover - calais ferry but we hope to stop off at the old F1 circuit in Rouen. Thing is i can't find directions. Does anyone know how to get there??
Dunno how many people have attempted the trip in a 1 litre mini, but were both young and healthy so should make it in one piece. The cars been in the workshop at the University of Derby, where we both study Motorsport Technology, and it's all been stripped, cleaned, modified and is ready to be re-assembled.
If you see us give us a wave.
Ta for any help with directions,
Tom

[Piglet]

Sounds like fun Tom, we keep meaning to stop off but we're normally desparate to get to Le Mans and get set up by that point!

[YIIHAA]

Not much left of the Rouen circuit as far as I know, are you sure you're not thinking of Reims (where the grandstands are still on the start/finish straight)?

A quick google for Rouen Circuit would have got you this link, which gives a road map to the Rouen circuit:
Rouen circuit
Apparently the pit buildings were knocked down in 1999

Here's a picture from my trip to Reims in 2002

[BalhamLotus]

Horrifically I understand that they've decided to "preserve" the stands at Reims by giving it all a good old coat of paint and so forth. Consequently the ghostly atmosphere has gone foerever.

Sounds like a good adventure in the mini. I did 1,500 miles round france in a completely unmodified hearing aid beige Metro CityX (not mine thankfully) when I was a student. French roads are well maintained and bowling green smooth, so you'll have a blast in a mini.

[marki]

BalhamLotus said:

Horrifically I understand that they've decided to "preserve" the stands at Reims by giving it all a good old coat of paint and so forth. Consequently the ghostly atmosphere has gone foerever. .

say it aint so please

[rralston]

BalhamLotus said:

Horrifically I understand that they've decided to "preserve" the stands at Reims by giving it all a good old coat of paint and so forth. Consequently the ghostly atmosphere has gone foerever. Sounds like a good adventure in the mini. I did 1,500 miles round france in a completely unmodified hearing aid beige Metro CityX (not mine thankfully) when I was a student. French roads are well maintained and bowling green smooth, so you'll have a blast in a mini.

Yep heard this myself late last year - travesty!

[up-the-dubs]

Someone posted a photo of them newly painted. It looks like disney had a go at a recreation. I thought it was at the Minihoon but it must be more recent.

[tarkatom]

Thanks for replying. Now its mentioned i realise that i was thinking of Reims, new it began with an R!!
Bit far out of the way for a 998cc mini like! maybe when i can affors to buy/insure a better car hey!?!

>> Edited by tarkatom on Thursday 2nd February 21:30

[YIIHAA]

BalhamLotus said:

Horrifically I understand that they've decided to "preserve" the stands at Reims by giving it all a good old coat of paint and so forth. Consequently the ghostly atmosphere has gone foerever.

My understanding was that the local government wanted to knock the buildings and grandstands down as they were unsafe and deteriorating fast. When I visited the road was actually closed, and I have to say the buildings weren't exactly safe. The road being closed gave plenty of opportunity for high speed runs.

A local group keen on seeing the buildings stay agreed to do some "maintenance" to preserve the buildings. This meant they not only gave it a new coat of paint, but also made some of the more dodgy bits safe.