2023 Circuit des Remparts - Angoulême

MGs in the paddock.

2023 was my first time watching practice and racing at the Circuits des Remparts in Angoulême (France).  I hope it won't be my last.  I didn't get a grandstand ticket but I was able to get good pictures of most of the cars during practice and in the paddock.  The afternoon got quite crowded and a grandstand seat would have been useful - next year perhaps.   It is certainly a lovely revival event - events took place on exactly the same circuit in 1939 and from 1947 to 1951 - and the circuit is really unique.  The whole town has a great atmosphere on the Sunday when both practice and racing take place.  Definitely should be on all historic racing fan's bucket list.

The 1.28 Km circuit.  This is just 0.8 miles, so a very short circuit that includes three hairpin bends in quick succession.  The circuit is entirely in the town so a true street circuit.

A view of the second of the three hairpins.  Very tight!

I have done a blogpost on all of the plateau (grids) that were at the 2023 Circuit des Remparts.  Click on any you want to see more of below:

My favourite blogpost from Angoulême was the one on the Bugatti race with lots of pictures of the cars and drivers that took place including this lone Delage,   Click here for the Bugatti pictures.

A favourite memory from my day at the Circuit des Remparts is of rally driver François Delecour throwing a MkII Ford Escort around to win the seventies GT and touring race.  Click here for more pictures of these cars.

Angoulême was celebrating the seventy years of the the first Lancia Stratos.  These cars are always a pleasure to see and Bernard Darniche was on hand as well.  Click here for more pictures of the Lancia Stratos.

Always incredible to see how fast the pre-war Austin Sevens are and they really suit this short tight twisty circuit.  Click here for more of the small capacity pre-war cars.

The grid celebrating Jean-Pierre Beltoise was for pre-1966 GT and Saloon cars.  Another very varied bunch of cars racing on this street circuit. Click here for more.

Great to see Jean-Pierre Jarier driving a Talbot and many more famous drivers were present as well.  Click here for more on the drivers

Frazer Nash and other pre war British cars have been a stalwart of racing at Angoulême for years.  Click here for more.

Lots of interesting cars including the 1938 Lenkin GP car (red).  Click here for more pictures and more about this car.

Angoulême was celbrating the 100th year of MG.  A lovely collection of thirties MGs had a race including this ex-Prince Bira example.

There is more to the Circuit des Remparts than just the races and demostrations with lots of classic cars and exhibitions around the town plus a couple of rallies on Saturday and a Concours d'Elegance on Friday evening.  Here are a few pictures of the atmosphere.

Ballot was a French marque that was also being celebrated at Angoulême.  This is a 1927 Ballot 2LTS Tourer Sport James Young.

A 1921 Ballot 2LS Chateau Toulon.

John Etherton asserts his copyright to all of the photos on this blogpost.  However, you may post the photos elsewhere on the web as long as you credit the photographer, John Etherton, and this blog post, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com and provide a link to this page.

John Etherton affirme son droit d'auteur à l'ensemble des photos sur ce billet de blog. Cependant, vous pouvez poster des photos ailleurs sur le web à condition de créditer le photographe, John Etherton, et ce blog, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com, et de fournir un lien vers cette page.

An Amilcar in the town.

There were Bugattis galore.