Circuits des Remparts September 17-19, 2010 Angouleme
1939 saw the first motor race take place round the streets of Angouleme, les Circuits des Remparts, with racers like Pierre Wimille, Maurice Trintignant and Raymond Sommer competing, the latter winning in an Alfa Romeo. 71 years later we celebrate the centenary of Alfa with the roar of the twin overhead camshaft engines reverberating through the streets of Angouleme once again, the only changes to the circuit being straw bales replaced by steel Armco.
Cars like Bugatti, Frazer Nash, DB Panhard, names like Fangio, Manzon, Gonzales have all graced this capitol of the Charente. Racing ceased in 1955 after the le Mans tragedy, thankfully being revived in 1978. Along with Monaco and Pau, Angouleme is one of the last surviving great street circuits.
It has become a weekend for showing off your cars, joining in the rally, entering the races, meeting friends, old and new, making contacts, swapping tales, and all in all having a wonderful weekend in this beautiful region of France. Entrants and visitors come from all over Europe to be part of this special event. A credit to the city and all those who work so hard to make it all happen. Long may it continue.
Friday sees the arrival of competitors and visitors, taking over all available accommodation in the town, restaurants spilling to overflowing. The streets and squares filled with exotic machinery, echoing through this ancient place.
The evening is always given over to the Concours d’Elegance, a spectacle where entrants display their beloved cars, appearing in period dress, in front of an enthusiastic audience. Lights, music, go for it! From Renault to MG, Alfa Romeo to Berliet, everyone experiences a slice of history and glamour. All are winners.
Saturday morning, bright and ever so early, has hundreds of amazing cars gathering by the banks of the Charente River outside the new home of the Bande Designee, the sun making everyone feel warm and in a good mood for the day ahead. Teams study their maps in readiness for the tour of the lanes and sweeping countryside of the Charente Department. Bugattis, Ferraris, Delahayes, Cord, Aston Martins and many, many others, from 1920 to the present day, around 300 cars and crews head out in convoy. Maps are not really necessary, as you are greeted by the sight of local people at nearly every junction encouraging the cars and giving directions. The route is lined with young and old, enjoying the sounds and sights of this wonderful display of classic vehicles. Lunch was taken in Cognac and a further route guided everyone back to the finishing rostrum in the Champs de Mars in Angouleme. Life was getting busy in Angouleme.
During the day those who stayed in town were entertained by a superb display of the vehicles designed by Jacques Durand beside market, les Halles. An amazing collection of cars from the pen of one man. Around the Hotel de Ville gardens, set amongst the flowers sat a mouth watering array of cars, with Bugattis, Matras, Talbots, all relaxing and ignoring the cameras.
Saturday evening sees the restaurants and bars full as just about everyone spills into town to soak up the very special atmosphere. Cars are not left out as people parade through the streets in their much loved vehicles. A very special place to be in France, in September. Miss it if you dare!
Sunday morning practice wakes everyone up from 0800h. A chance to see if all the pre-race preparation has come together, and for any new arrivals to the venue to get firsthand knowledge of this short, but very tricky little circuit which holds so much history. Driving around in the tire tracks of the famous, avoiding kerbs, barriers, handling the ever so tight hairpin corners and working out how and where to overtake. A few competitors did not make it through to their races due to the odd mishap, mechanical and directional. Most however, made it through safely.
A welcome lunch break to take in the buzz in town and then it is time to take your position on the Remparts, your seat in the grandstand to settle down for an entertaining afternoon in the hot sun.
Three wheeled Morgans dominated the first race, the Wimille Plateau, demonstrating how to lay down single tyre rubber tracks! Fast, furious and brave action, close racing being the order of the day. Follow this!
In between races the crowd was amused to see how the modern super cars have difficulty getting round the tight corners, with the nimble Renault 5 Turbo nipping past the Lamborghini and Dodge Viper as they practiced using reverse gears! More glorious sounds. Throughout the town, vehicles were on display, and stalls were set up selling varieties of car related products. A pleasant place to wander around should the racing within earshot not be quite your thing!
The Pescarolo race saw Paul Conway make it third time lucky, as he steered and slid his thundering V8 Morgan between the barriers just keeping ahead of the fast charging Damien Kohler in the very quick Diva GT, after a race long tussle. Alfas, Minis, MGA and Jaguar made up the field as the two leaders weaved their way through to the chequered flag.
A host of mainly blue DB Panhards then took to the streets, and with lots of three wheeled cornering, some of them even trying to somersault over the barriers!.
Alfas made a welcome return to Angouleme and screamed their way amongst the tall buildings, in and out of the sun as it pierced through the gaps between houses, their shrill and evocative sound thrilling the crowds. Celebrating their Centenary, Alfas could be seen all around the town. A fabulous display of beautiful design.
The Tringnant race saw MGs, Rileys, Amilcars and the giant eleven litre Vauxhall of Tony Lees relive the early history of this event. Lots of opposite lock driving being a welcome sight from the current GP racing. Close racing and much overtaking as well.
The Bugatti race was robbed of a potentially titanic battle due to the non appearance of Martin Overington in his 35B. However Michael Hudson took up the reins and gave all watching a wonderful display in his similar car. Eighteen Bugattis is an awesome sight and sound, and brought out the rare 1933 type 59, last of the GP racers.
Monomills gave us an insight into Rene Bonnet’s 1950’s as well as 60’s and 70’s single seat Panhard and Citroen engine cars, a great sight and sound, being driven with so much enthusiasm, even boasting some interesting design details.
The Larousse grid brought together tail happy GT racers, doing their best to slide their way round, avoiding contact with the all too close Armco. Agile Alpines, powerful Porsches, mighty Minis, while the favorite Peerless and Warwick drifted to the delight of the crowd in the late summer sun.
A glorious array of eagerly awaited Historic GP and single seat cars took to the tarmac. Ferrari, Cooper, Talbot, Gordini returned to their old haunt, to make the hairs stand on end and take us back to those halcyon days in a magnificent show of wonderful machinery.
The Finale brought out the top honours from the two GT races, but a problem with the leading Porsche early in the proceedings robbed us of a super final charge to the line, as it stopped suddenly on the exit from the last corner, all the fast following cars somehow managing to avoid the parked Porsche! This did not stop the remainder making the most of it, putting on a great display for the approving crowds, rounding off yet another wonderful weekend.
Time then to pack everything up for another year, head off of for a well earned meal, swap stories with new friends, and make a promise to return again next year.
For all Photographs follow the Autograph Photos link.
See you here in September 2011.
The Alfa Romeo S3 Spider was found in London, having spent the early years in Vienna. She is very original and in lovely condition. She seems to enjoy the open french roads, a welcome change from city driving! 
The city of Angouleme hosts many superb festivals and
colourful events throughout the year, and the third week in September is no
exception, seeing the annual Circuits des Remparts return to the town. Weeks of preparation have seen crash barriers
put in place, marquees erected, local people reminded, and shop windows
decorated with a race theme. Race
weekend is here, and the place will again ring to the sound of engines.
From 1955 until 1978
following the tragedy at le Mans there was no racing in Angouleme. Since then we have had an uninterrupted period
of unique street racing in Angouleme, matched only by Monaco and Pau. Today the famous names still show up and
return to share in the atmosphere, with Jean Pierre Beltoise and Jean Pierre Jabouille
enjoying this year’s event.
Friday is the relaxed entry day to the weekend and
sees drivers and teams arriving, booking into hotels, unloading their cars in
the paddock and signing on for the races.
The Rallye contingent receive their Saturday route instructions, and the
press and journalists prepare to record the happenings, cameras notebooks and
pencils at the ready. Enthusiast
visitors frequent the many cafes and restaurants, soaking up beer, wine and the
atmosphere of hundreds of classic cars filtering into the city centre. 
The weather forecast was mixed, but Friday evening was
warm and clear, and saw a wonderful line up of beautifully prepared cars mount
the ramp in front of a packed audience in the Champs de Mars, the huge square
in the shopping area, for the Concours d’Elegance. Under the ever watchful eye, and cigar of Inspector
Colombo (ably played by Yves Lecoq) we were treated to cars like Theophile Schnider,
la Licorne, Delage, Sandford, Porsche, Alfa and many others, large and very
small. Dressed in the style and period
of their cars, it was lights, music and action all the way for owners and
vehicles alike. A great way to kick off
the Race weekend. 
The skies were overcast and the ground damp for the
departure of the Rallye at breakfast on a rather grey and misty Saturday
morning. Chais Magelis on the banks of the Charente was full of even more magnificent
machinery, as they were flagged off on their tour through the beautiful relaxing
Charente countryside. Lunch was taken in
Cognac (the town, but I feel sure some was sampled!) with the return to
Angouleme late in the afternoon, in time for more food and drink amongst
restaurants and cafes in the tiny streets of Angouleme. 
The party in the evening at les Halles, the huge market place
in the middle of town saw the competitors sampling the local produce and
toasting the day’s winners. Promises of
an early night from the serious racers saw them leave early, the others
enjoying the night life that the centre of Angouleme had on offer. It is a great opportunity to make new friends
as well as catch up with those one has met in previous years. It really is quite a unique experience. 
During the course of the weekend the gardens of the hotel
de Ville were given over to a selection of very special cars from the brothers
Ballot. They competed at Indianapolis the Targa Florio, the French and Italian
grand prix, and manufactured cars between 1921 and 1932. A beautifully presented collection of unique machinery.
Sunday morning, race day dawned and 0800h seemed to
come up very early! Practice commenced
with the first competitors getting used to the cool and damp conditions on a circuit
that takes no prisoners. Guard rails
seem all too close at that time, and in the semi-dark! As the morning progressed, the sun made its
way up into the blue French sky, slicing between the old buildings creating
sharp contrasts of light and shade, as the cars darted between corners. 
The sounds of Bugatti, MG, GN, Frazer Nash
and the aero engined Morgans very quickly woke everyone up! We were all also treated to an interlude of
blue and noise with a group of Matras screaming their way around the
circuit. Memories of classic Grand Prix
racing and le Mans, it was wonderful!
Times were being set, the opposition established, grid positions
achieved and the lunch break quickly approached. There were a few mishaps but nothing that
tape, elbow grease, the odd hammer and a few prayers could not fix.
During the lunch interval when some were taking on
food and water, the track still rang to the sounds of Volkswagen, Alfa and Maserati,
as their cars were demonstrated to the public.
The rest of the town was full of every marque of car you could possibly think
of, either sitting in displays of being paraded around the main square. This is
a very special event indeed. It does
clash with Goodwood and a number of other motoring festivals each year, but
still attracts its own particular and regular attendance.
The weather was still warm and dry following the lunch
break, but the clouds had something up their sleeves for later as the first
cars made their way to the grid for the plateau Wimille. All the small engined MG, Morgan and Amilcars
were dwarfed by the 10,000litre Schneider! Stuart Dean brought out the lovely
Jacobs MG coupe which finished second to the Morgan of Charles Reynolds.
A sad note this year as we mourned the loss of the ‘voice
of Angouleme’, as Jean Louis Mathieu passed away recently. A man with immense knowledge of his car passion
he will be much missed, by French and all other participants. 
The rain decided to come down for the first of the Bugatti
races which spoilt a potential close wheel to wheel race. The Grand Prix cars slithered and slid,
carefully avoiding the ever so close barriers in the wet conditions, with the
yellow 35B version of Gregory Ramouna crossing the line ahead of Chris Hudson. Martin Overington in his most wonderful sounding 35B could not get the power
down on the wet surface and came home a disappointing fourth, but at least
finishing here for the first time. Next
year?
The fabulous little T13 Brescia Bugattis followed and
had to cope with both dry and damp conditions, spraying their way to the line,
lead by Andy Johnson in his lovely 1924 machine. Some very close and brave racing was watched
by the enthusiastic crowd, sheltering under their umbrellas in the stands and lining
the walls of the Remparts. 
French Protos sports cars saw most of them make the
finish in their race, won by Gilles Terrones in his blue and orange LRP B 100
1984 machine. The fast Hema of Laurent
Bayers unfortunately stopped in a plume of steam/smoke early on, robbing the
race of some close racing, the driver exiting his car fairly quickly!
Rain again introduced an additional element to the
Trintignant race, with the monster 6litre GN of Justin Maeers over-steering his
way to the flag! 
He was followed by
similarly directional Tim Greenhill in the Wolseley, and the always sideways
Dougal Cawley in Piglet, the Frazer Nash!
Unfortunately the two Morgans of Sue Darbyshire and Gary Caroline had a
very gentle coming together in the slippery conditions early on, which ultimately
changed the course of the race. 
The final race was for the top finishers in Tourisme,
GT and GTS catagories, and once again saw Monsieur Comas give us all a
demonstration in race driving, finishing around 45 seconds ahead of the fast
charging and close racing Porsches, Mini, Lotus, swapping positions throughout
the race!
Angouleme gets back to normal very quickly after its
annual race event, it is not long before the next city event, and the evening
saw all its goodbyes said, cars strapped on trailers, last handshakes performed,
and promises made to come back again next year and to tell those who have not
been yet to definitely put the date in the diary. 
1939 saw the first motor race take place round the streets of Angouleme, les Circuits des Remparts, with racers like Pierre Wimille, Maurice Trintignant and Raymond Sommer competing, the latter winning in an Alfa Romeo. 71 years later we celebrate the centenary of Alfa with the roar of the twin overhead camshaft engines reverberating through the streets of Angouleme once again, the only changes to the circuit being straw bales replaced by steel Armco.
During the day those who stayed in town were entertained by a superb display of the vehicles designed by Jacques Durand beside market, les Halles. An amazing collection of cars from the pen of one man. Around the Hotel de Ville gardens, set amongst the flowers sat a mouth watering array of cars, with 
Three wheeled Morgans dominated the first race, the Wimille Plateau, demonstrating how to lay down single tyre rubber tracks! Fast, furious and brave action, close racing being the order of the day. Follow this!
Monomills gave us an insight into Rene Bonnet’s 1950’s as well as 60’s and 70’s single seat Panhard and Citroen engine cars, a great sight and sound, being driven with so much enthusiasm, even boasting some interesting design details.
The Finale brought out the top honours from the two GT races, but a problem with the leading Porsche early in the proceedings robbed us of a super final charge to the line, as it stopped suddenly on the exit from the last corner, all the fast following cars somehow managing to avoid the parked Porsche! This did not stop the remainder making the most of it, putting on a great display for the approving crowds, rounding off yet another wonderful weekend.
Time then to pack everything up for another year, head off of for a well earned meal, swap stories with new friends, and make a promise to return again next year.
