Angouleme: 15th - 17th September 2023
The unique street circuit matched only by Monaco and Pau remains virtually
unchanged since 1939 when the inaugural race took place. Weeks of
preparation see crash barriers put in place, marquees erected and shop
windows decorated with a race theme. September arrives, race weekend is
here, and the town will again reverberate to the sound of racing engines.
The Programme.
Friday 15th September
- 9pm: Elegance Parade - Champ de Mars Square
- Friday evening the meeting starts with cars gathering in the town square for the Concours d’Elegance. You may enter your car but vintage costume is mandatory.
Saturday 16th September
- 8.30 am Start of The International Rally de Charente - Chai Magelis (See below for details)
- 5.30 pm Finish of the Rally - Parviis des Halles
- Car exhibitions- Town Hall Gardens
- Gala cocktail appetiser party in covered market
Sunday 17th September
- 8am – 12noon - Practice Sessions-Circuit des Remparts
- 2pm - 6pm - Races-Circuit des Remparts
- Car exhibitions- Town Hall Gardens
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Concours d'elegance - 15th September
A gala evening dedicated to the world of the automobile.
As soon as man was able to use an engine instead of a horse to move a vehicle he quickly endeavoured to give it both an attractive and a particularly suited shape for all the different uses it was intended for.
Very quickly, after the first few scary experiences, women found their ways into those vehicles and even got behind the wheels. Those ladies pioneers were to give a great contribution to the ways motorists dressed.
You are invited to follow the evolutions of the car design and dressing styles throughout the years.
A great evening in a wonderful setting, not to be missed.
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Rallye de Charente - 16th September
Driving through the Charentese rich heritage.
The Charente region is almost completely unspoilt with virtually no industry and is one of the most tranquil in France and a wonderful way to take in the history and ambience of the surrounding area is to take part in the Rallye de Charente.
Please see our Itinerary and Prices page for more details on the Rally.
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Exhibitions.
Ancient car masterpieces convene to meet on Friday in the Town Hall Gardens which will serve as their exhibition presentation casket.
Some twenty cars will be displayed. An exceptional moment when the enthusiast owners share the history of their cars with the public.
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Races - 17th September
The race is run on a circuit that takes no prisoners, around the town which comes to a complete halt and is quite unique, challenging and fun.
The circuit is short (1.279km or 0.794 miles)and unchanged since 1939 but set within the Remparts giving it elevation and hairpins.
Barriers and temporary stands are erected in the middle of Saturday night and the entente cordiale is exceptional.
Races / Grids (subject to change)
VINTAGE
Two grids : Jean-Pierre Wimille & Maurice Trintignant
1919 to 1939 - Sports cars that have taken part in races and hill climbs and comply with sporting regulations from the period between the two wars.
BUGATTI
Two grids 1910 to 1939 – Voitures Grand Prix (37/39/51) et Brescia (Type 13)
FOURNIER-MARCADIER
All Types
SIMCA Rallye
Rallye, Rallye 1, 2 & 3 (All groups)
GT / GTS / GTP
Henri Pescarolo
Gérard Larrousse
1945 to 1976 - Grand Touring, Grand Touring Special, Grand Touring Prototypes, open or closed bodywork: coupés and barchettas. Sports cars.
GRAND PRIX
Moteur Arrière 1958/1965 (By invitation).
The cars mustn’t use slicks. Only grooved tyres are admitted or Avon slick hand cut, with the drawing of Michelin or Dunlop (copy available at the manufacturer).
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Angouleme: History
1939
Amongst the competitors in that first edition of the Circuit des Remparts were some of the greatest drivers of the time: Jean-Pierre WIMILLE, Roger LOYER, Maurice TRINTIGNANT and Raymond SOMMER who won driving an Alfa Romeo.
The Second World War meant that the next edition could not take place for another eight years.
1947
Two car makers raced that year in their own designs: Amédée GORDINI, known as « le Sorcier » (the wizard), driving a Simca Gordini while René BONNET was at the wheel of his D.B which had Citroën front wheel drive mechanics.
However, it was another engineering genius, Eugene MARTIN, who claimed victory in his modified Frazer Nash.
1949
Ferrari was now on the scene and after only two years this young Italian name already had a strong reputation as a winner, especially after it's victory at the A.C.F Reims Grand Prix the year before. Two cars raced, a 166 Inter and a 166 F2, driven by DUDLEY-FOLLAND and the Count STERZI. However, Maurice TRINTIGNANT, at the wheel of a Simca Gordini, beat Count STERZI after he had to retire with the Ferraris broken engine having completed only 300 metres of the race. Second place went to Robert MANZIN who was also in a Simca Gordini.
1950
After his easy victory with a Maserati 4 CLT Fangio's career was off to a lightning start. His friend and compatriot GONZALES came third and the second place went to SIMON in a Simca Gordini.
1951
18 Formula 2 competitors went in the race in 7 different makes. There were two 40 lap qualification races and an 80 lap final. FISHER walked away with the victory in a Ferrari F2 well ahead of MANZON, SIMON and TRINTIGNANT in their Simca Gordinis. Second place went to MACKLIN in an H.W.M. just ahead of AUNAUD in his surprising D.B Panhard, which despite its small engine and torrential rain had outclassed many of the more powerful cars.
1955
Possibly because four years earlier AUNAUD had shown he could give the big F 2's a run for their money, there were two grids this year; one of Monomills and the other of Special Sports Barchettas with Panhard or Renault engines. SAVARY won the first race and CARLUS the second. Sadly 1955 was the last year the Circuit was to be used for true automobile races.
1978
The Circuit des Remparts was revived from its ashes supported by none other than Juan FANGIO himself.
1983
The Circuit des Remparts was re-homologated and since then it has become an unmissable event for all historic automobile fanatics.
2008/9
The anniversary years: 2008 celebrated thirty years of revival by the ACOCRA and 2009 was the seventieth anniversary of the Circuit des Remparts event.
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