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.

Circuit des Remparts 2023 - Plateau Maurice Trintignant - Avant Guerre

 

The winning 1937 Austin Seven of Christian Pedersen.  He dominated practice and the race.

The first race of the weekend at the 2023 Circuit des Remparts at Angoulême was for small capacity pre-war cars.  Thus, this was a field of small cars from Austin, Riley, Salmson, GN and MG.   19 cars took part in this 15 lap race on this short street track of 1.28 kilometres (about 0.8 miles).  This plateau was named after Maurice Trintignant who won the 1949 Circuit des Remparts.   The first ever Circuit des Remparts took place in July 1939 and the circuit still follows the same course.   

The second placed 1937 Austin Seven Pigsty Special of Simon Gallon.

Third place went to French driver Nicolas Komaroff in his 1938 Austin Seven Spéciale.

In fourth place was Simon Frost in his 1934 Austin Seven La Special.

In fifth place was Arnault Lagautriere in his 1929 Austin Seven.

First non-Austin home, in sixth place,  was this lovely 1938 MG TA S driven by Stéphane Goy.

Rear view of the MG.

Other cars in this plateau included:

The 1921 GN Katipo of Louis McNair was very entertaining.

The 1935 Riley TT Sprite of Tammo Voight.

The 1927 Salmson GS8 of Michael Hudson.

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.

James Miles in his 1936 Austin Seven Single Seater.

The cockpit of Simon Frost's Austin Seven single seater.

1931 Austin Seven Ulster driven by Xavier Chapeyroux.

Marshals and drivers acknowledge each other.