Definitely a French Nordschliefe! Amazing that the Grand Prix was held here, as recently as 1972. As much as I may dislike the current trend to flat, cookie-cutter Tilke tracks, when I see an older track like this one, I am amazed that anyone survived. The concrete walls , alone, would have killed many drivers, not to mention the dropoffs and trees adjacent to the course. On the other hand, it is lovely country, and the circuit would have placed a premium on the driver's skill, without question. So many hairpins, such a huge change in elevation- I'd love to see a vintage race on this track...
There exists a very good virtual version for Assetto Corso (race simulation that I bought because there are a lot of free historic tracks available for it). And I would be very surprised if there wasn’t a version in rfactor or rfactor2. I just tried the Assetto Corso version yesterday and was wondering whether it was accurate or not. Your video gives me the impression that the AC version is rather close to the real version.
Indeed, it's very comparable with Spa-Francorchamps. Both are street circuits that became shortened and then a permanent circuit. To be honoust, I think old Clermont-Ferrand was even better than old Spa. At Spa you had two very long straights and other long full throttle sections. While old Clermont-Ferrand was a more technical circuit.
Another great job. Again, I am old enough to remember when Formula 1 raced here. If my memory is still working F-1 raced here four times. In 1972, Chris Amon should have won as he was on the pole and had the fastest lap, but again it was not to be - tire puncture ( I still have the Auto Week newspaper's from the 1972 season). Most of the driver's at the time felt it was horribly unsafe. They were right, but there is something almost romantic about a true road course . At least my personal all time favorite driver Stirling Moss loved the place. Thank again for bringing back some very cherished memories!
My dad drove round here in 1963 in our mini with me as a passenger aged nine. I think my mum thought my being there would slow him down. Not. We were on a family holiday in the mini towing a trailer tent from Aberdeen, a long way then. He used to do rallies too with me in the back seat. Changed days.
I look at the link you have left on my video about Charade. As the Nurburgring, Charade has been shortened. I did it as a passenger onto a 996 GT3 and in 993 Turbo (Porsche Days), that was fantastic. I know that this was a place for cars and for motorcycles (Stirling Moss and John Surtees both known Charade) but you allow me to discover the old version of the "tracé". Thank you. Sorry for the mistakes, i'm french...
Recently I saw a French film on UA-cam of a F2 race at this track,Which was won by Stirling Moss it gives a great view of the whole of the track some parts still seem familiar from this video,however it contains some brutal footage of a crash which claimed the life of Ivor Bueb.A stunning track from a different era
Lovely track, thanks for this video! I live nearby and I had the chance to do a "lap" on the old layout in a porsche boxster gts, god knows how great the old track is! Fantastic experience.
Went there 3 days ago whilst returning from the Pyrenees. Joined the road at the point where the rocks block the old trac, went up the hill to the main gate, looked down the old straight then turned bike round, up to roundabout and rode the remaining old track back to the rock blocked area. Brilliant!!! Always wanted to go there after seeing it in the film “Grand Prix”. What an amazing track that must have been. We did part of Rouen Les Essarts first and then Pau, which was being readied for an historic meeting, on our way to the Pyrenees. CF was my favourite without a doubt. Also, I forgot to mention, we visited Angouleme, which also has an historic city track known as the “Circuit des Remparts”. It too was being readied for a meeting on 18-22 September 2022. Pau was actually last on way to the Pyrenees. Thought I’d clarify.
Wow. I never realised it was so tight. I have driven this in simulators and it has long been one of my favourites. Sad to see it so dilapidated but it would never be safe enough for modern racing in its old form. That back section is just terrifying.
Agree. It was a great circuit, but too dangerous for modern racing like F1. But it could have been a French Nürburgring Nordschleife for amateur racing and touring cars. If it was not a street circuit.
@@Circuitsofthepast I actually found it more difficult than the Nordschleife in simulators - the only experience I have. Charade has many blind corners and brows but the tight bits are much tighter and the fast bits are scarier. Once you get past the front straight, the section which leads downhill to the first hairpin is as death defying as any I have seen. The long, fast back section after the tight twisty bit is easily one of the most dangerous and challenging pieces of track I have ever tried to drive on. It seems designed to kill you. Terrifying, as I said. God help you if you get a wheel in the dirt. The pressure only eases once you get to that downhill section that leads to the tight left hander where it rejoins the current circuit. But a fast lap here - and I used to be pretty competitive in a Lotus 33 in GPL 65 - is as satisfying as any track I have ever driven. Amazing circuit.
I drove both in real, but only the Nürburgring Nordschleife at race pace and old Charade at normal road pace. But I can tell you that the the Nordschleife is a very scary track at race pace. But I think that was old Charade at race pace too. Both tracks have some great sections. Only Charade was shorter. Therefore the Nordschleife has two long easy flat out sections.
Finally Charade ! Awesome video. It is such an amazing racetrack. It's a shame that local neighbors keep complaining about the noise of the cars and stop them racing. But hopefully next year for it's 60th anniversary, the track will be more alive.
Thank you very much for your Video. I just learned to know that track through Sim Racing (a mod for Assetto Corsa) and immediatly fell in love with it. Instantly became on of my favourite tracks.
The downhill section with tight corners first part of the track looks like it could be a real test to the brakes for the cars of the past. I always thought the track wasn't so tight and more high speed. Nevertheless I would have loved driving there. It looks incredible
Un plaisir à se faire à bicyclette en rentrant des cols de la chaîne des puys pour la partie publique et en course au moi de mai pour la partie piste. Et un gros plaisir avec la voiture en se disant qu'ici il y a eu de belles bastons en moto et F1.
I saw it for the first time in a F1 documentary in the early 90's. I immediately liked the track and want to visit it. So it was on my to-do-list for a very long time 😀
Most of the track is still there…cool. I didn’t know France had so much racing history. I am not a fan of the current F1 track. This one looks tough. I propose a classic race with F2 cars, F1 are too big. Great video.
That's right. I sat next to the circuit director who drove the car. After a stop to film an old part he started driving before I could fasten my seatbelt. So I started filming instead of fasten my seatbelt.
Avec la fameuse descente de grave noire....si sélective pour les pilotes comme l était "le nouveau monde" à Rouen.....des vrais circuits pour vrai pilote pas des parkings comme aujourd'hui
It may sound silly for some but to my mind this track could've been even more demanding than Nurburgring, because of the practical lack of straights, yeah theone after the 1st corner was like 600 metres but compare it to the straight at the Green Hell where drivers could have some rest. Here - nothing throughout the entire race. That being said I think the current track is lovely.
Both tracks are great. The Nürburgring Nordschleide has one very long straight, but the track is also longer. Both tracks have a mix of slow corners and very fast corners. At old Clermont-Ferrand I mostly liked the banked corner (where I catched up the car) before the steep climb.
I cannot translate his reply nor do I know where Dr. Marko was on the track when struck, but I clearly recall it was the Lotus of Emerson Fittipaldi that kicked up the stone.
@@Circuitsofthepast yes, driver very grateful to you indeed as what you showed goes to endorse what the F1 driver 'Tony Brooks' stated that in his time they were worthy to be called 'Grand Prix' now thanks to 'Bernie Ecclestone' f1 has lost all of that and the image of f1 is nowhere near so attractive!
Definitely a French Nordschliefe! Amazing that the Grand Prix was held here, as recently as 1972. As much as I may dislike the current trend to flat, cookie-cutter Tilke tracks, when I see an older track like this one, I am amazed that anyone survived. The concrete walls , alone, would have killed many drivers, not to mention the dropoffs and trees adjacent to the course. On the other hand, it is lovely country, and the circuit would have placed a premium on the driver's skill, without question. So many hairpins, such a huge change in elevation- I'd love to see a vintage race on this track...
Me too. It theory it would be possible. Only one corner is now a roundabout and the abandoned part would be a problem.
There exists a very good virtual version for Assetto Corso (race simulation that I bought because there are a lot of free historic tracks available for it). And I would be very surprised if there wasn’t a version in rfactor or rfactor2. I just tried the Assetto Corso version yesterday and was wondering whether it was accurate or not. Your video gives me the impression that the AC version is rather close to the real version.
Exactement 👍
Great to see the track is basically still there in it's entirety. Much like Spa.
Indeed, it's very comparable with Spa-Francorchamps. Both are street circuits that became shortened and then a permanent circuit. To be honoust, I think old Clermont-Ferrand was even better than old Spa. At Spa you had two very long straights and other long full throttle sections. While old Clermont-Ferrand was a more technical circuit.
Another great job. Again, I am old enough to remember when Formula 1 raced here. If my memory is still working F-1 raced here four times. In 1972, Chris Amon should have won as he was on the pole and had the fastest lap, but again it was not to be - tire puncture ( I still have the Auto Week newspaper's from the 1972 season). Most of the driver's at the time felt it was horribly unsafe. They were right, but there is something almost romantic about a true road course . At least my personal all time favorite driver Stirling Moss loved the place. Thank again for bringing back some very cherished memories!
Thank you :) Yes F1 raced here 4 times, in 1965, 1969, 1970 and 1972.
My dad drove round here in 1963 in our mini with me as a passenger aged nine. I think my mum thought my being there would slow him down. Not. We were on a family holiday in the mini towing a trailer tent from Aberdeen, a long way then. He used to do rallies too with me in the back seat. Changed days.
Cool story. Thanks for sharing this memory!
I look at the link you have left on my video about Charade. As the Nurburgring, Charade has been shortened. I did it as a passenger onto a 996 GT3 and in 993 Turbo (Porsche Days), that was fantastic. I know that this was a place for cars and for motorcycles (Stirling Moss and John Surtees both known Charade) but you allow me to discover the old version of the "tracé". Thank you. Sorry for the mistakes, i'm french...
Merci et de rien :)
Recently I saw a French film on UA-cam of a F2 race at this track,Which was won by Stirling Moss it gives a great view of the whole of the track some parts still seem familiar from this video,however it contains some brutal footage of a crash which claimed the life of Ivor Bueb.A stunning track from a different era
Lovely track, thanks for this video! I live nearby and I had the chance to do a "lap" on the old layout in a porsche boxster gts, god knows how great the old track is! Fantastic experience.
You're welcome.
Went there 3 days ago whilst returning from the Pyrenees. Joined the road at the point where the rocks block the old trac, went up the hill to the main gate, looked down the old straight then turned bike round, up to roundabout and rode the remaining old track back to the rock blocked area.
Brilliant!!! Always wanted to go there after seeing it in the film “Grand Prix”. What an amazing track that must have been. We did part of Rouen Les Essarts first and then Pau, which was being readied for an historic meeting, on our way to the Pyrenees. CF was my favourite without a doubt.
Also, I forgot to mention, we visited Angouleme, which also has an historic city track known as the “Circuit des Remparts”. It too was being readied for a meeting on 18-22 September 2022.
Pau was actually last on way to the Pyrenees. Thought I’d clarify.
Did some N260 while in Spain?
Merci pour la visite !
Great tour, Herman. Thank you.
You're welcome
Wow. I never realised it was so tight. I have driven this in simulators and it has long been one of my favourites. Sad to see it so dilapidated but it would never be safe enough for modern racing in its old form. That back section is just terrifying.
Agree. It was a great circuit, but too dangerous for modern racing like F1. But it could have been a French Nürburgring Nordschleife for amateur racing and touring cars. If it was not a street circuit.
@@Circuitsofthepast I actually found it more difficult than the Nordschleife in simulators - the only experience I have. Charade has many blind corners and brows but the tight bits are much tighter and the fast bits are scarier. Once you get past the front straight, the section which leads downhill to the first hairpin is as death defying as any I have seen. The long, fast back section after the tight twisty bit is easily one of the most dangerous and challenging pieces of track I have ever tried to drive on. It seems designed to kill you. Terrifying, as I said. God help you if you get a wheel in the dirt. The pressure only eases once you get to that downhill section that leads to the tight left hander where it rejoins the current circuit.
But a fast lap here - and I used to be pretty competitive in a Lotus 33 in GPL 65 - is as satisfying as any track I have ever driven. Amazing circuit.
I drove both in real, but only the Nürburgring Nordschleife at race pace and old Charade at normal road pace. But I can tell you that the the Nordschleife is a very scary track at race pace.
But I think that was old Charade at race pace too. Both tracks have some great sections. Only Charade was shorter. Therefore the Nordschleife has two long easy flat out sections.
Finally Charade ! Awesome video. It is such an amazing racetrack. It's a shame that local neighbors keep complaining about the noise of the cars and stop them racing. But hopefully next year for it's 60th anniversary, the track will be more alive.
Yes, it was on my to-do-list foar a very long time. It was great to see the French Nürburgring in real :)
Thank you very much for your Video. I just learned to know that track through Sim Racing (a mod for Assetto Corsa) and immediatly fell in love with it. Instantly became on of my favourite tracks.
You're welcome. I also like the track, even if I drove it only at road speed.
The downhill section with tight corners first part of the track looks like it could be a real test to the brakes for the cars of the past. I always thought the track wasn't so tight and more high speed. Nevertheless I would have loved driving there. It looks incredible
The first section was not so fast but very technical. The uphill section was very fast.
Circuits of the past Yes, absolutely true. Thanks for giving people a chance to enjoy these legendary tracks and layouts!
Un plaisir à se faire à bicyclette en rentrant des cols de la chaîne des puys pour la partie publique et en course au moi de mai pour la partie piste. Et un gros plaisir avec la voiture en se disant qu'ici il y a eu de belles bastons en moto et F1.
ne laissez pas tomber ce monument des sports mécaniques svp !!!
i thought it was monza bcz of the thumbnail
Such a shame the old circuit is no more, the new track has an older look to it, so not too bad.
The new circuit is also cool. Yes the old layout was fantastic, but at least it is still there as public road.
Dangerous circiut but beatiful woods area road course 1972 last drive on road was on this circiut
One of my favourite in GP Legends. Very difficult. Good to handle with Porsche 910 or Alfa Romeo Tipo 33. F1 no go.
What a great circuit, did not know it was that long
I saw it for the first time in a F1 documentary in the early 90's. I immediately liked the track and want to visit it. So it was on my to-do-list for a very long time 😀
Very good video!
Most of the track is still there…cool. I didn’t know France had so much racing history. I am not a fan of the current F1 track. This one looks tough. I propose a classic race with F2 cars, F1 are too big. Great video.
Great tour of the track as it is now, so sad that the modern layout is so curtailed compared to the classic version
Thank you. The current track is also nice, but the old track was fantastic!
Driving without a seatbelt near the end ?????
That's right. I sat next to the circuit director who drove the car. After a stop to film an old part he started driving before I could fasten my seatbelt. So I started filming instead of fasten my seatbelt.
WOOOOAAAAH. La, Nurbergring?
The French Nürburgring.
Avec la fameuse descente de grave noire....si sélective pour les pilotes comme l était "le nouveau monde" à Rouen.....des vrais circuits pour vrai pilote pas des parkings comme aujourd'hui
Great video, dude
Thank you :)
Merci 🙋🏁
De rien.
Awesome racetrack ! Looks like a little Nurburgring !
The nickname of the track is the French Nürburgring.
Exactly
Tilke should learn how to rebuild the tracks, preserving their character
Is the modern version of the track still operational?
Yes it is. I understood they had some problems, but there are still historic events on the calendar.
Wouaaa que de bons souvenirs
Pour ceux qui connaissent c’est un circuit légendaire
Ce serait le reve de le réhabiliter
This must be along a mountain because that is a REALLY twisty road.
It's around an extinct volcano.
beautiful circuit...I've been saying for a long time that formula one died after Lauda's time...today it's just a circus..🤔
It may sound silly for some but to my mind this track could've been even more demanding than Nurburgring, because of the practical lack of straights, yeah theone after the 1st corner was like 600 metres but compare it to the straight at the Green Hell where drivers could have some rest. Here - nothing throughout the entire race.
That being said I think the current track is lovely.
Both tracks are great. The Nürburgring Nordschleide has one very long straight, but the track is also longer. Both tracks have a mix of slow corners and very fast corners. At old Clermont-Ferrand I mostly liked the banked corner (where I catched up the car) before the steep climb.
Herman, do you know around which part Helmet Marko got hit maybe?
Nee dat weet ik niet.
I cannot translate his reply nor do I know where Dr. Marko was on the track when struck, but I clearly recall it was the Lotus of Emerson Fittipaldi that kicked up the stone.
Tao absurdo e perigoso quanto Nurburgring loucura correr ai
I would like this track too make it on Project Cars 3
That would be great. It was such a cool track.
Was hat am Ende die ganze Zeit gepipst
Das war der Alarm, dass ich nicht angeschnallt war. Der Direktor der Rennstrecke ist weggefahren, bevor ich mich anschallen konnte.
Circuits of the past oh ok. Gut zu wissen
Watch this sped up to 1.75 to get an idea why it made some drivers sick!
The driver needed to get out for a stretch and get some fresh air its that long!
Yes, that's why I did a part by foot :)
@@Circuitsofthepast yes, driver very grateful to you indeed as what you showed goes to endorse what the F1 driver 'Tony Brooks' stated that in his time they were worthy to be called 'Grand Prix' now thanks to 'Bernie Ecclestone' f1 has lost all of that and the image of f1 is nowhere near so attractive!
Oh to see today's boy racers (Hamilton and co) tackling this. I'd die laughing.