Va-va voom! Enjoy the Circuit des Remparts in Angoulême!
This weekend’s The Circuit des Remparts is one of the most exciting events to take place in the Poitou-Charentes.This year sees the 70th anniversary of this weekend-long event which sees classic and vintage cars bombing their way around the city walls, making for a fantastic atmosphere. It is one of the few motor races to take place within the walls of a town and the original track has remained totally unchanged since 1939 making for a demanding course that includes two bends, two right angle bends and three hairpins.
Organisers have arranged for a number of past veterans - drivers, mechanics and also sports journalists - to attend to celebrate the anniversary including British the three times Formula One champion Jackie Stewart and French four-times F1 champion Alain Prost.
In total 140 vintage racing cars will take part in the competition through the town’s narrow streets, while a further 850 vehicles will be on show and on parade around the town. ‘It will be a real party for this birthday,’ says the Remparts’ president Jean-René Tillard.
Friday
See some 30 cars on show, including Lorraine Dietrich, Delage, de Dion Bouton and, Bugatti during the Concours d'Elegance under floodlights at Champ de Mars. As well as the elegant cars, you will also be able to see the sometimes surprising accessories and clothes worn during those early years of the car. It begins at 8.45pm.
Saturday
Angouleme is taken over by vintage cars with the public able to take a closer look at these classic vehicles. At the same time the Rallye international de Charente begins with 200 teams (including 100 British ones) taking to the picturesque roads around the town, returning to Victor Hugo square from 5.30pm. At 3pm, you will be able to meet the drivers taking place in Sunday’s the big race event. Also during the afternoon, see some of the rarest of vintage cars such as Avions Voisins, Bugatti Atalante & Stelvio, Hispano, Chevrolet, in the gardens of the town hall. Judging of these cars will begin at 4.30pm.
Sunday
Today is race day with the cars va-va vooming their way through the heart of the town and along the city walls over a distance of 1279km.
The morning, between 8am-noon, is devoted to 20 minute practice sessions, the times of each competitor determining their starting positions on the grids for the afternoon’s races.
After lunch, from 2pm until 6pm, the 140 competitors will take the road.