Only just noticed how close the old Rouen circuit is...

[Chris71]

If you look at this link:

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Grand-Couronne,+Fra...

...That road just above the outline of the old circuit is the N138/E13 interchange that most of us drive along on the way to Le Mans. Apparently not much of the circuit infrastructure left any more, but it's all driveable as public roads.

[durbster]

As an obsessive GPL player back in the day I really fancy stopping to see the old circuit one time.

I remember reading a blog from a few years ago from somebody that went and drove the circuit, taking photos of various landmarks. I'm pretty sure the old pit buildings are still there, left to nature in the traditional French way.

Edit: Might have been this one.

Edit 2: Oh, bugger

Edited by durbster on Wednesday 27th June 20:01

[couzens]

love seeing things like this. I must make a point of going to Reims

[Johno]

Very very different to Reims. At Rouen it's difficult to even imagine that 30yrs ago there were GP's held there. Nothing left at all and although you can drive the circuit as such you wouldn't know unless you'd made the effort to find it. Worth seeking out, but have low expectations and you'll not be dissapointed.

[Nick M]

I echo Johno's comments - you need to go prepared to figure out what was where (you'll find yourself on the circuit without knowing it I suspect) because there's little or nothing left to give you any clues. Unlike Reims where it's being preserved.

From memory you can drive most of the circuit, but not sure about the top part which links the west and east side of the track.

[Chris71]

durbster said:

As an obsessive GPL player back in the day I really fancy stopping to see the old circuit one time.

Yep, same here.

Still ranks as one of the best driving sims ever IMHO alongside GT Legends.

To be honest I'd got the Rouen track mixed up with Reims. That one is, I believe, a substantial detour from the route to Le Mans so I'd given up on the idea of visiting it en route. If I'd known Rouen Les Essarts was so close I'd have called in.

If nothing else it'd be strange to drive a road in Northern France that has any significant corners. Barring the odd motorway slip road, pretty much the only bend I can remember from this year's trip was going round Indianapolis on Sunday evening.

[t1grm]

Charade/Clermont-Ferrand is also worth a visit and most of it can still be driven (except the part which is the modern race track):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charade_Circuit

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Charade,+Royat,+Fr...

This was used in the Grand Prix film.

Bit of a drive from Le Mans though. Doable if you are driving down to Spain one year.