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.

Circuits des Remparts 2023 - Plateau Prince Bira - MG Avant Guerre

 

A race at Angoulême for pre-war MGs to celebrate the 100 years of MG.

I am not sure if Prince Bira ever drove at Angoulême in the Circuit des Remparts but he was certainly an active driver at the time  and certainly drove MGs which was this plateau was all about.  This was a celebration of 100 years of MG (Morris Garages) and what better way to celebrate than a race for pre-war MGs.   There was some nice variety including an ex-Prince Bira car, some single seater and lots of other models from the thirties.

The race lasted 12 laps and twelve cars remained on the lead lap.  Most of the participants were from the UK with two from ther Netherlands and two from Switzerland.  The winner was Australian.

All pictures are from practice.

John Gillett won the race in his ex-Prince Bira MG K3 Magnette.  Very appropriate!

Second was Charles Goddard in a 1934 MG PA/PB.  He took fastest lap.

Third was Roger Tushingham in a 1934 MG N type Magnette.

This 1937 MG KN Bellevue Special came fourth in the hands of Steven McEvoy.

This 1936 MG PB came fifth driven by Mark Dolton.

No prizes for guessing this car is Dutch owned!  Onne Konemann came sixth in this 1932 MG D type.

Seventh was 1931 MG Montlhéry of Duncan Potter.

This 1934 MG K3 driven by Teifion Salisbury came eigfth.

Philippe Hahn in this 1933 MG J2 Special came ninth.

This 1934 MG PA came tenth in the hands of Mark Christof Jansen.

I particularly liked this 1935 MG R  Type driven by Christian Berthold into eleventh place.

Nicolas Powell came twelfth in this 1934 MG PA.

Final finisher was this 1934 MG K3 of Philippe Douchet.

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.

Mark Reece's 1936 MG JA didn't complete a lap in the race.

The 1935 MG PB Supercharger of Simon Jackson only took part in practice.

The cockpit of the MG Bellevue Special.

Circuit des Remparts 2023 - Plateau Raymond Sommer - Avant Guerre

 

My view of the Plateau Raymond Sommer practice session.

Raymond Sommer was a pre and post war French driver who won a number of Grand Prix and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.  One of his victories was the very first Circuit des Remparts at Angoulême in 1939.  he won this in an Alfa Romeo 308.  Thus very fitting that there is a race at Angoulêmer that bears his name.

The Plateau Raymond Sommer had a nice field of pre-war Frazer Nash, Riley and GN cars with an Aston Martin and a HRG as well.  Most were from the UK with a couple of French participants.

These picture were taken in practice.

The winner was Théo Hunt in a 1932 Frazer Nash TT Replica.

Second was Tommy Waterfield in a 1921 GN Harlequin.

Third was Simon Blakeney Edwards in a 1929 Frazer Nash Super Sport.

Jonathan Fenning came fourth in this 1936 Frazer Nash Emeryson.

Dougal Cawley finished fifth in this 1921/29 Frazer Nash Piglet.

Sixth was this 1928 Frazer Nash Super Sport driven by David Wylie.

Richard Iliffe in this 1934 Riley 12/4 Special finished seventh.

Joanna Blakeney Edwards finished eighth in this 1929 Frazer Nash Super Sports.

Simon Kelleway finished ninth in this 1937 Riley Sprite12/4.

Tenth was 1937 Frazer Nash TT Replica driven by Iain Roche.

This 1938 Frazer Nash Sports driven by Paul Baker finished eleventh.

Twelfth was this 1938 HRG 1500 driven by Pierre Etienne Lambert.

Michael New in this 1937 Frazer Nash TT Replica finished thirteenth.

Final classified finished was this 1937 Aston Martin Speed Model Replica of Richard Braun.

Completing only six laps was Kip Waistell in this 1938 Riley TT Sprite.

Completing only five laps was the amazing 1923 GN Spider driven by Jim Edwards.

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.

A non-starter was Robin Tuluie's 1929 Riley Menasco Pirate which has a 6 litre Aero Engine built by Albert Menasco.  It is seen here in practice.

GN Spider and Harlequin in the paddock.

The Flying Ferret team's mascot on its 1937 Riley.