that piano rendition of fleetwood mac's the chain was incredible to hear as an f1 fan im pretty sure i also heard the grandstand theme in there as well oh and an accordion cover as well, incredble
I've been there back in 2008, when the association had barely started its preservation efforts. A truly fascinating place, even if someone isn't a racing aficionado. I must go back this summer!
We visited about 5 years ago (on way to Nurburgring) and did see how part of the buildings were renovated and some were still in a state of repair. Really nice to see them still existing
Thanks for this video ! "Gueux" is even weirder of a village name when you account for the fact that it's a centuries-old derogatory French word for poor people / beggars I was there with my father something like 15 years ago (duh), and in spite of its state it was already an incredible sight for any Formula One fan.. Plus, at that moment, the grandstands were fully accessible and the whole road that runs from the last corner to the first corner was closed (but still accessible by car), so you could just stroll around on the start grid or drive past the grandstands at full speed :) It's amazing what this association has done to refresh the site
Dutch rebels against the Spanish in the 1600s were called Gueux (Geuzen in Dutch). The name comes from Dutch noblemen pleading with Margaretha of Parma, the land governess of the Spanish Netherlands and one of her top aids said to her "My Lady, why are you even listening to these beggars?"
Historically the name Gueux actually comes from the "Goths" that stopped there while invading the north of france. At least that's what I've always been told (I'm from Gueux).
Fun facr about racing back in those days: Safety didn't exist. Seatbelts were not mandatory for the first decade or two of F1. The cars were basically just a drivetrain, aka engine, gearbox and so on, a fuel tank, some wheels and some metal sheets. Crash protection didn't exist on the car, and hay bales were deemed acceptable as such on the circuits. The pitlane, which today is separated by a wall from the start/finish straight and has a speed limit of (usually) 80km/h, was literally just the side of the start/finish straight, where drivers just stopped by their tiny crew if they needed to.
A lot of the drivers in the 50s and 60s actually preferred not to have a seat belt because they thought it safer to be thrown from the car in a crash than to be stuck inside when it turns into a fireball. Absolutely mental.
Even hay bales weren't always present. In the very early days of racing the track used to be surrounded by the audience and sometimes not even that. It was common for audience members to stand in the middle of the tarmac and jump away at the very last second when the cars came by. Some did it for a great photo opportunity, but many just for the thrill and presumably bragging rights. The drivers didn't slow down for them either, it seems downright insane when you watch recordings of the early car races.
The days when drivers had to be skilled and brave, some would say foolhardy, know the limit of the car and drive on the edge of it, crash gearboxes, heavy steering and by the end of a race almost no brakes, not that they were good by modern standards to start with. A crash and the race just carried on, the same with oil or anything on the track, a marshal or two may have run out to try to clear it but not often. Powdered dried clay or cement was just sprinkled on any oil if possible but not often. The cars just leaked oil constantly. The famous words of Colin Chapman, Lotus owner, was, "if it breaks, make it lighter"
A Tim traveller notification pops up - I stop what I’m doing to watch! 😀 Edit: - that was superb, Tim. From the cover of the Chain to the serendipitous meeting with the chairman of the association and the drone photography, this was one of your very best!
Tim covering motorsport history :) Tim seams as excited as I was the first time visited brooklands race track, and found the start finish line cut through the reception of the hotel my works Christmas party was happening in, which lead lots of confused colleagues as why line on the floor in reception was so exciting
You some come to Berlin and do a video about the AVUS track. They just renovated the grandstands as well and would definitely be a "welcome to Berlin...and we're not here to see any of that" moment 😉
I've seen pictures and maps of that! The track was just out and back on a straight stretch of autobahn, with a small turning loop at the far end, and a much bigger _43° banked_ turning loop (with a "wall of death" drop-off on the outside) at the near end by the stands. The big loop was regraded much flatter in the late '60s though. The track closed in the '90s, after the fall of the Berlin Wall put a lot more traffic on that autobahn, making it more of a problem to close it for races.
@@AaronOfMpls Well, they might open it up again when Berlin's administration has finally banned all cars from the city. ...for bicycle races ... A shame.
This is the reason I absolutely love this channel. Let's me travel to amazing places, the kind of weird random of the beaten path places I would like visit if I was travelling, and all that from the confort of my couch.
The track at Rouen is still there but the pit area is now used for logging and there is an abandoned part of the circuit that you can still walk. Since you’re a Parisian, can you please make a video about F1’s attempts bringing the race to Paris? They’ve tried so many times and there some wacky ideas that you can still find online, including an idea to race along the Champs Elisees in 1984, and in 2008 to built a track around Eurodisney.
It exists some clues of Rouen Les Essarts, a tunnel under the track, a chicane, some stairs and sometimes you can see the pavement under the road at the Nouveau Monde ...
No wackier than the plan for London to host a night time grand prix that was meant to include Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square (a demo ran in 2017) or the current idea to have a circuit surrounding the Royal Docks in East London
Oh Rouen. Where you can be haunted by the ghost of Jo Schlesser. A very sad occurence indeed (and, yes, they do say there's a ghost wandering the track that looks a whole lot like him).
@@paintedpilgrim Or the supposed New York City GP (which was actually going to happen in New Jersey, much like NYC football) that was much hyped around 10 years ago. That one got far enough along that the people doing the TV coverage somehow* convinced Sebastian Vettel to drive a reporter around (in a normal car) on the streets where they thought the course was going to go. If memory serves, he wasn't very impressed. :) * I assume it involved a briefcase full of cash
Perhaps the most amazing thing is that, even in the unrestored photos, it doesn’t seem to have been covered in graffiti. Some fantastic work by the restoration team to bring the history back to life.
You don't seem to comprehend just exactly how far from people this track really is. Gueux is the only place really close to it at all, and that's only a town of 2,000 people TODAY.
And then the amazing piano heavy track starts. Making guys in their cigar shaped cars and tank helmets and flowing scarfs just appear from the fog, for one last lap around the grand circuit that used to be here.
Fantastic! I didn't know I needed a piano rendition of The Chain in my life until now! I visited this place in 2018 on the way back from Le Mans 24hr and it is amazing to see this wonderful racing relic. There's even a racing themed hotel nearby in Reims.
It's so French to have a historic monument like that plonked in the middle of nowhere just existing with nothing going on. Just like that mini stonehenge in someone's back garden in Saumur. If it's not a Chateau forget it!
@@Amauvy Well technically it is a monument by definition. It might not be a cathedral or a 200 years old obelisk, but at least it is an important place for the F1 and local history. And the fact that it is almost forgotten but still maintained and restored by selfless individuals makes it 10x more interesting to me than well known and promoted monuments.
The thing is, France has been inhabited for so long, you'll find some sort of historic monuments and ruins pretty much anywhere, from the smallest hamlet to the biggest cities. So the most important and impressive ones are preserved when possible, but countless others are "just existing with nothing going on" unless there's enough motivated people around to do something about it, like is the case here.
@@_asphobelle6887 At least in France, it is pointed out to you on road signs on the main roads, even if it's just some trees. The UK is just bland in comparison
There's a road straight through the middle of a circle of menhirs just west of Blairgowrie, Scotland. It felt surreal when I saw it for the first time.
Very cool site, old racetracks are freaky when they're completely empty. I got to wander around Rockingham Speedway ("The Rock") here in NC just after its latest swap of ownership a few years back. It's surreal to be around all that empty nothing that should be filled with thousands of spectators and roaring engines.
As a lifetime F1 fan, let me direct you to a wonderful UA-cam channel called "Circuits of the Past". It's replete with old racetracks, captured in their present condition, including many that have been altered over the years. Several indepth explorations of Reims-Gueux, as well as many other Courses.
Thanks, Tim! One of my all-time favourite circuits. So glad to hear about all the restoration work being done to preserve its legacy. The length of the straights made for some incredibly exciting slipstream battles between the drivers. The 1953 race saw a crazy race between the four Ferraris and the five Maseratis in which Juan Manuel Fangio and Mike Hawthorn swapped the lead at virtually every corner for 30 laps. They passed the start/finish line on the pit straight side-by-side multiple times with Hawthorn even taking to the grass on one occasion to allow Fangio room to stay alongside as the pair lapped a slower car. Now that would have been epic to have seen that live from those grandstands!!
The music for these videos is always epic. The Antiques Road Show theme when discussion the pre-F1 races had me laughing. And is that Mr.Tim Traveller playing The Chain on piano and later on the accordion ? Edit: Nevermind, I found the answer. For anyone else who is interested, here's a link to Mr. Traveller's other channel ua-cam.com/video/7pE3Tcvrwfw/v-deo.html
Great and informative video as ever. Went here with my son 2019 and the site definitely moved on since then. Hoping to visit again this year 2022. Thank you.
I love this place ever since we discovered it in the late '90s, when it was really run down and overgrown. Whenever I have a 'new' car we like to drive it down to the circuit and take a few photographs in front of the Cibié and Ferodo pitboxes. Been there twice in '21.
Simply loved this. There is something almost mystical about the place & I got chills hearing you recite such historic names. Bravo maestro! You have truly outdone yourself
I think it was the WTF1 video on this circuit that first brought this track into my mind. You've completed the journey with the connection to les amis du Circuit de Gueux and the free entry to the restored parts of the track.
Loved it, I saw a video of this place a couple years ago and I'm glad to see the association is working to keep it up and maintain it. So many historic race tracks of all types have been leveled and built upon, so happy they kept this on more-or-less as is.
The Circuit de Reims is truly a magical place! I was able to visit in 2010 while on the way to Paris and then Spa. I met one of the ACG members that was painting the graphics on the ruins, working from period photos. I have returned twice since, as a member of the ACG and been able to participate in the restoration and events that the club presents. This year, the Reims-Gueux Legende will be Sept. 18, celebrating the 12 Heures Internationales endurance races held at the Circuit. Any enthusiast visiting the area simply must stop and visit. Meet the members every Friday, year 'round, and lend a hand! JDS, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
When Denny Hulme died of a heart attack in 1992 (admittedly while mid race), he was the first F1 champion (1967) to die of natural causes. Hulme placed 3rd at the 1966 Reims Grand Prix, the last F1 race held on this track. The remains of this track are truly a bridge back to another era.
@@stephenscholes4758 No. between 1950 and 1992, 45 drivers died while directly involved in F1 events and practice. 75 F1 drivers died in the same period if you include all racing accidents. Many more died through misadventure or thrillseeking in their private lives. In the worst year, 5% of Competitors died in F1 races.
@@nicbrownable You mentioned "Champion". Of course many champions died after Hulme...of natural causes. There is this American-influenced obsession with health and safety whenever I watch historical F1 segments on YT and read comments... driving cars/planes/boats at speed is dangerous... accept that, move on
@@stephenscholes4758 Champions are even worse. 5 of 24 died unnatural deaths before 1992. One of the living champions in 1992 was Senna though. Only 6 of 11 made it through to 1970. F1 is entertainment. It is a spectacle to sell adds and sponsors product. It doesn’t prove anything about the capabilities of the human body. The real world research value is nil. Nobody should die to entertain you. Good riddance to the reckless races of the past.
@@nicbrownable You do realise there are two champions crowned every year don't you? Drivers and Constructors. Treating F1 as if it is Golf is folly; the cars are the stars, drivers are a means to an end, by far the least interesting facet of the "sport". Actually I am a little surprised you didn't refer to "Toxic Masculinity" or other PoMo excretia, but not surprised a health and safety groupie would shit all over F1's storied history
Most of that is gone now though. Last I heard more of the old track was being dug up to expand the office/industrial park that has gradually been taking over the site since the late 80's.
In Berlin we have the "AVUS" race track which is not used as such anymore and now is a part of the Autobahn, you can still see the grandstands on the side.
OOO! Tim's done a video on somewhere I've actually been to! I almost feel cultured! Reims had been on my to do list since I first learnt of the place nearly 20 years ago. Finally ticked it off last September on my way back from a tour of the Alps in my Aston Martin (smug face). Sounded amazing at full throttle, exhaust reverberating off the empty grandstands. A huge "merci" from this Petrolhead to the locals giving up their time and money to preserve this little treasure of racing history, and keeping it open to the passing public.
The Avus abandoned race circuit in Berlin has similar historic grandstands that you pass on the autobahn and the old control tower has been made into a motel. Brooklands in Weybridge UK is a must of a visit as well with the abandoned banked corners and and a museum commemorating the circuit and airfield. Brooklands was reputedly the worlds first purpose built race circuit.
How to get me interested in a subject totally out of my interest realm. Congratulations. Usually you have something I am totally in tune with. This time you found something totally not in tune but orchestrated it beautifully to my taste. Great storytelling. Thank you very much. Greetings from the high plains of Texas.
The Chrimbo limbo is here and it's time for me to once again binge-watch all of your videos for 2022 in the final week of the year! It's become a tradition of mine over the last couple of years and one I look forward to. Looks like there are more great videos this year so off I go...
I LOVE your channel man. I just discovered it. Absolutely fantastic content. Least used train station in France is what got me to know you. Maybe because I am French, or because I consume most of my content on YT in English. Anyway, love this
Incredible! Humanity is always so focused on progress and renovation but we sometimes forget to cherish and save the past! I hope this place lives for as long as possible.
I'm going to be honest, I'm not going to trawl though 575 comments to see if anyone else has said this and thus make the following sentence moot, but the musical deep-cuts are a delight. The content on its own is marvellous, but the added joy of piecing together the narrative and marrying it with an often long-lost theme tune is such a treat. I have watched a smattering of your videos having only recently (see tonight) come across your content (via the ubiquitous Geoff) and it's impressed me to the level that I had to make my fingers type stuff and I have famously recalcitrant fingers. Good work sir. Good work.
Oddly, I had a similar thought, except the last sentence was more along the lines of "thank the gods the mega rich in modern F1 aren't involved." These are not people who are noted for their regard for history or their taste, after all. I'm pretty sure they would find a way to ruin everything.
That's a place I would love to have seen, especially in 2014 or 2016 when I came to Europe from the U.S. for four of the nine races I've been to. If they'd torn the place down at the time, I'd have cried about F1 losing part of its history. Then a month ago at Abu Dhabi, they decided to throw their history down the toliet, anyway.
My husband is always happy when you have a new video, I have to "save" it so he can watch it at the same time I do... well, this was "A good one!" Also, he is so sad we can't travel yet, as he wants to rent a car and drive there, and heck we'd spend a fun day there! Thank you again. If even we can never get there, we've enjoyed seeing it all through your eyes!
I’m now on my 2nd video of yours since I ran across your channel browsing. The pedantic town is interesting 🧐 Now I’m watching you walk where I can only dream of walking. Reims-Gueux is the favorite racing circuit of my childhood, along with Lemans. Mainly through movies, books that I read and of course television. I think the volunteers that are attempting to restore a bit of it are doing a great job. What a museum and restaurant that property would make ! I look forward to checking out more of your content. Bravo Zulu sir. Peace Love & Groovies from The Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri 😎
Tim you got a nice bunch of videos here. Nice delivery and topics. I suspect you’re on your way to even bigger successes in 2022. Cheers from the states.
As a massive fan of both Formula 1 and your videos, this one is particularly brilliant! I really hope to go visit the abandoned circuit someday. My grandmother lived in the area as a child, and she remembers the cars driving right at the end of her backyard in the 1950s... While of course, safety regulations would never allow for this type of race anymore, being so close to the cars must've been a thrilling experience. Thanks again for your really great shots and all the explanations that came with!
I continue to be astounded by the plethora of oddities you bring to our attention. Keep up the research. Looking forward to the next revelation. Merci, Tim
Bonus points for including ‘The chain’. I watched F1 for several years before I listened to any Fleetwood Mac for the first time & I remember hearing that bass line start on the track & thinking, “hang on a minute, this sounds familiar!”. 😂
Another gorgeous and fascinating gem from The Tim Traveller. Loved the stock photo from the 1966 Grand Prix grid. Not that long ago, from an historical standpoint. But compared to today's sponsor-laden technological behemoths, those 1966 GP cars look delightfully simple and graceful. Back in the days when BRM and Lotus were painted in British Racing Green. Beautifully and artfully done. A joy to watch.
Lots of abandoned speedways in the USA as well ... so sad to see. Appreciate the tour and insights. Greetings from Australia. Loved the piano Fleetwood Mac at the start ! 💖
Great video, very informative! If anyone happens to pass by the track, try to do it on a sunday as there are impromptu car meets, where you can meet the very friendly volunteers from the association who are helping to keep this place's memory alive.
Slough just can't catch a break.
And neither should it!
I think it’s wonderful that they don’t pronounce it either of the normal ways (like “sluff” or “slow”). Rhyming it with “now” took creativity. 😁
it shouldnt be able to, i might just have to unsubscribe after this crime
Even Tom Scott made fun of Slough.
@@qwertyTRiG ive made a terrible mistake, i went to slough
When you’re a Tim Traveller and F1 fan: 👀
And also a Fleetwood Mac fan!
When you’re a Tim Traveller and F1 and GP_N_Memes fas:👀
....and a pianist.
I travel with tim all the time and i am an f1 fan too😈
Tim made a whole video just so he could play us a piano version of the chain…
😇
And why wouldn't you?
i thought it was from Rumours Recovered 2013, but no. A Tim Traveller original
...And the theme from The Antiques Roadshow.
rude not to.
that piano rendition of fleetwood mac's the chain was incredible to hear as an f1 fan
im pretty sure i also heard the grandstand theme in there as well
oh and an accordion cover as well, incredble
It was the "title song" of Formula 1 Grand Prix, a famous F.1 game (MicroProse, 1990)
@@DaisukeIdoITA `and all of the bbc's coverage
@@XaviMacBash ... so probably that's why Microprose chose that specific tune 😁
Thanks, didn't know that, I'm Italian.
@@DaisukeIdoITA I loved that game!
Still gives me goosebumps!
I've been there back in 2008, when the association had barely started its preservation efforts. A truly fascinating place, even if someone isn't a racing aficionado. I must go back this summer!
We visited about 5 years ago (on way to Nurburgring) and did see how part of the buildings were renovated and some were still in a state of repair. Really nice to see them still existing
Thanks for this video !
"Gueux" is even weirder of a village name when you account for the fact that it's a centuries-old derogatory French word for poor people / beggars
I was there with my father something like 15 years ago (duh), and in spite of its state it was already an incredible sight for any Formula One fan..
Plus, at that moment, the grandstands were fully accessible and the whole road that runs from the last corner to the first corner was closed (but still accessible by car), so you could just stroll around on the start grid or drive past the grandstands at full speed :)
It's amazing what this association has done to refresh the site
Dutch rebels against the Spanish in the 1600s were called Gueux (Geuzen in Dutch). The name comes from Dutch noblemen pleading with Margaretha of Parma, the land governess of the Spanish Netherlands and one of her top aids said to her "My Lady, why are you even listening to these beggars?"
@@Ozymandias1 S. a.: Geuzen medal
That's also the noise rich people make when they see poor people/beggars.
Historically the name Gueux actually comes from the "Goths" that stopped there while invading the north of france. At least that's what I've always been told (I'm from Gueux).
Fun facr about racing back in those days: Safety didn't exist. Seatbelts were not mandatory for the first decade or two of F1. The cars were basically just a drivetrain, aka engine, gearbox and so on, a fuel tank, some wheels and some metal sheets. Crash protection didn't exist on the car, and hay bales were deemed acceptable as such on the circuits. The pitlane, which today is separated by a wall from the start/finish straight and has a speed limit of (usually) 80km/h, was literally just the side of the start/finish straight, where drivers just stopped by their tiny crew if they needed to.
A lot of the drivers in the 50s and 60s actually preferred not to have a seat belt because they thought it safer to be thrown from the car in a crash than to be stuck inside when it turns into a fireball. Absolutely mental.
Even hay bales weren't always present. In the very early days of racing the track used to be surrounded by the audience and sometimes not even that.
It was common for audience members to stand in the middle of the tarmac and jump away at the very last second when the cars came by. Some did it for a great photo opportunity, but many just for the thrill and presumably bragging rights.
The drivers didn't slow down for them either, it seems downright insane when you watch recordings of the early car races.
@@creativedesignation7880 sounds more like rallying up until the end of the 1980s
@@creativedesignation7880 Arent some people acting in some Rally Cross like that to this day ( or atleast did act like that like 20 years ago )?
The days when drivers had to be skilled and brave, some would say foolhardy, know the limit of the car and drive on the edge of it, crash gearboxes, heavy steering and by the end of a race almost no brakes, not that they were good by modern standards to start with.
A crash and the race just carried on, the same with oil or anything on the track, a marshal or two may have run out to try to clear it but not often. Powdered dried clay or cement was just sprinkled on any oil if possible but not often. The cars just leaked oil constantly. The famous words of Colin Chapman, Lotus owner, was, "if it breaks, make it lighter"
ok so switching to the Grandstand theme when exploring the grandstand. Absolutely. Yes. Good work
A Tim traveller notification pops up - I stop what I’m doing to watch! 😀
Edit: - that was superb, Tim. From the cover of the Chain to the serendipitous meeting with the chairman of the association and the drone photography, this was one of your very best!
Remember the drivers
Respect the site
- such an awesome message painted at the wall.
Tim covering motorsport history :) Tim seams as excited as I was the first time visited brooklands race track, and found the start finish line cut through the reception of the hotel my works Christmas party was happening in, which lead lots of confused colleagues as why line on the floor in reception was so exciting
I used to be a volunteer steward at Brooklands museum.
You some come to Berlin and do a video about the AVUS track. They just renovated the grandstands as well and would definitely be a "welcome to Berlin...and we're not here to see any of that" moment 😉
I've seen pictures and maps of that! The track was just out and back on a straight stretch of autobahn, with a small turning loop at the far end, and a much bigger _43° banked_ turning loop (with a "wall of death" drop-off on the outside) at the near end by the stands. The big loop was regraded much flatter in the late '60s though.
The track closed in the '90s, after the fall of the Berlin Wall put a lot more traffic on that autobahn, making it more of a problem to close it for races.
@@AaronOfMpls Well, they might open it up again when Berlin's administration has finally banned all cars from the city. ...for bicycle races ...
A shame.
Very interesting as always. Loving the piano renditions of The Chain and the Grandstand theme tune!
This is the reason I absolutely love this channel. Let's me travel to amazing places, the kind of weird random of the beaten path places I would like visit if I was travelling, and all that from the confort of my couch.
The track at Rouen is still there but the pit area is now used for logging and there is an abandoned part of the circuit that you can still walk.
Since you’re a Parisian, can you please make a video about F1’s attempts bringing the race to Paris? They’ve tried so many times and there some wacky ideas that you can still find online, including an idea to race along the Champs Elisees in 1984, and in 2008 to built a track around Eurodisney.
It exists some clues of Rouen Les Essarts, a tunnel under the track, a chicane, some stairs and sometimes you can see the pavement under the road at the Nouveau Monde ...
No wackier than the plan for London to host a night time grand prix that was meant to include Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square (a demo ran in 2017) or the current idea to have a circuit surrounding the Royal Docks in East London
Oh Rouen. Where you can be haunted by the ghost of Jo Schlesser. A very sad occurence indeed (and, yes, they do say there's a ghost wandering the track that looks a whole lot like him).
@@paintedpilgrim Formula E races around and through the Excel in London.
@@paintedpilgrim Or the supposed New York City GP (which was actually going to happen in New Jersey, much like NYC football) that was much hyped around 10 years ago. That one got far enough along that the people doing the TV coverage somehow* convinced Sebastian Vettel to drive a reporter around (in a normal car) on the streets where they thought the course was going to go. If memory serves, he wasn't very impressed. :)
* I assume it involved a briefcase full of cash
Perhaps the most amazing thing is that, even in the unrestored photos, it doesn’t seem to have been covered in graffiti.
Some fantastic work by the restoration team to bring the history back to life.
You don't seem to comprehend just exactly how far from people this track really is. Gueux is the only place really close to it at all, and that's only a town of 2,000 people TODAY.
That Version of "The Chain" you use in the video is absolutely amazing!
"This is like Christm... Oh it actually was!" 😂
00:02
Well, I just quoted him.
And then the amazing piano heavy track starts.
Making guys in their cigar shaped cars and tank helmets and flowing scarfs just appear from the fog, for one last lap around the grand circuit that used to be here.
Fantastic!
I didn't know I needed a piano rendition of The Chain in my life until now!
I visited this place in 2018 on the way back from Le Mans 24hr and it is amazing to see this wonderful racing relic.
There's even a racing themed hotel nearby in Reims.
There are Formule 1 hotels everywhere! ;-)
Those are everwhere! The one I stayed at was Kyraid Enzo Design which had a single seater in the entrance and coffee tables made of engine parts.
It's so French to have a historic monument like that plonked in the middle of nowhere just existing with nothing going on.
Just like that mini stonehenge in someone's back garden in Saumur.
If it's not a Chateau forget it!
its 3 fucking building and you call that a monument ? what a disgrace to real monument xD
@@Amauvy Well technically it is a monument by definition. It might not be a cathedral or a 200 years old obelisk, but at least it is an important place for the F1 and local history. And the fact that it is almost forgotten but still maintained and restored by selfless individuals makes it 10x more interesting to me than well known and promoted monuments.
The thing is, France has been inhabited for so long, you'll find some sort of historic monuments and ruins pretty much anywhere, from the smallest hamlet to the biggest cities. So the most important and impressive ones are preserved when possible, but countless others are "just existing with nothing going on" unless there's enough motivated people around to do something about it, like is the case here.
@@_asphobelle6887 At least in France, it is pointed out to you on road signs on the main roads, even if it's just some trees. The UK is just bland in comparison
There's a road straight through the middle of a circle of menhirs just west of Blairgowrie, Scotland. It felt surreal when I saw it for the first time.
Very cool site, old racetracks are freaky when they're completely empty. I got to wander around Rockingham Speedway ("The Rock") here in NC just after its latest swap of ownership a few years back. It's surreal to be around all that empty nothing that should be filled with thousands of spectators and roaring engines.
As a lifetime F1 fan, let me direct you to a wonderful UA-cam channel called "Circuits of the Past". It's replete with old racetracks, captured in their present condition, including many that have been altered over the years. Several indepth explorations of Reims-Gueux, as well as many other Courses.
Your production value is through the roof compared to older stuff. But still keeping it really personal with the POV shots. Your content is awesome
Thanks, Tim! One of my all-time favourite circuits. So glad to hear about all the restoration work being done to preserve its legacy. The length of the straights made for some incredibly exciting slipstream battles between the drivers. The 1953 race saw a crazy race between the four Ferraris and the five Maseratis in which Juan Manuel Fangio and Mike Hawthorn swapped the lead at virtually every corner for 30 laps. They passed the start/finish line on the pit straight side-by-side multiple times with Hawthorn even taking to the grass on one occasion to allow Fangio room to stay alongside as the pair lapped a slower car. Now that would have been epic to have seen that live from those grandstands!!
Such a terrific video! Fascinating to see, and great that the site is being restored. 👍
I've recommended you to several producers because your voice is perfection for an animated character -- and I mean that as a high compliment
The music for these videos is always epic. The Antiques Road Show theme when discussion the pre-F1 races had me laughing. And is that Mr.Tim Traveller playing The Chain on piano and later on the accordion ?
Edit: Nevermind, I found the answer. For anyone else who is interested, here's a link to Mr. Traveller's other channel
ua-cam.com/video/7pE3Tcvrwfw/v-deo.html
That sound close but is not the same arrangement I don't think?
It's also the soundtrack of Microprose's first Formula One Grand Prix video game.
Oh, I love it. The beautiful restoration, the history, the music is OUT OF THIS WORLD. You've outdone yourself, Tim.
Great and informative video as ever. Went here with my son 2019 and the site definitely moved on since then. Hoping to visit again this year 2022. Thank you.
Your storytelling, your absolutely spot-on interpretation of various relevant musical compositions… this is vraiment super!
I love this place ever since we discovered it in the late '90s, when it was really run down and overgrown. Whenever I have a 'new' car we like to drive it down to the circuit and take a few photographs in front of the Cibié and Ferodo pitboxes. Been there twice in '21.
Not sure if this link works/is allowed: ua-cam.com/video/JHCpQ_XuXPk/v-deo.html
Simply loved this. There is something almost mystical about the place & I got chills hearing you recite such historic names.
Bravo maestro! You have truly outdone yourself
I think it was the WTF1 video on this circuit that first brought this track into my mind. You've completed the journey with the connection to les amis du Circuit de Gueux and the free entry to the restored parts of the track.
Loved it, I saw a video of this place a couple years ago and I'm glad to see the association is working to keep it up and maintain it. So many historic race tracks of all types have been leveled and built upon, so happy they kept this on more-or-less as is.
what a discovery, thank you Tim.
Gueux is also an old french word for "poor people ".
The Circuit de Reims is truly a magical place! I was able to visit in 2010 while on the way to Paris and then Spa. I met one of the ACG members that was painting the graphics on the ruins, working from period photos. I have returned twice since, as a member of the
ACG and been able to participate in the restoration and events that the club presents. This year, the Reims-Gueux Legende will be Sept. 18, celebrating the 12 Heures Internationales endurance races held at the Circuit. Any enthusiast visiting the area simply must stop and visit. Meet the members every Friday, year 'round, and lend a hand! JDS, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
When Denny Hulme died of a heart attack in 1992 (admittedly while mid race), he was the first F1 champion (1967) to die of natural causes. Hulme placed 3rd at the 1966 Reims Grand Prix, the last F1 race held on this track. The remains of this track are truly a bridge back to another era.
Only because most hadn't gotten elderly...when most people die
@@stephenscholes4758 No. between 1950 and 1992, 45 drivers died while directly involved in F1 events and practice. 75 F1 drivers died in the same period if you include all racing accidents. Many more died through misadventure or thrillseeking in their private lives. In the worst year, 5% of Competitors died in F1 races.
@@nicbrownable You mentioned "Champion". Of course many champions died after Hulme...of natural causes. There is this American-influenced obsession with health and safety whenever I watch historical F1 segments on YT and read comments... driving cars/planes/boats at speed is dangerous... accept that, move on
@@stephenscholes4758 Champions are even worse. 5 of 24 died unnatural deaths before 1992. One of the living champions in 1992 was Senna though. Only 6 of 11 made it through to 1970.
F1 is entertainment. It is a spectacle to sell adds and sponsors product. It doesn’t prove anything about the capabilities of the human body. The real world research value is nil.
Nobody should die to entertain you. Good riddance to the reckless races of the past.
@@nicbrownable You do realise there are two champions crowned every year don't you? Drivers and Constructors. Treating F1 as if it is Golf is folly; the cars are the stars, drivers are a means to an end, by far the least interesting facet of the "sport". Actually I am a little surprised you didn't refer to "Toxic Masculinity" or other PoMo excretia, but not surprised a health and safety groupie would shit all over F1's storied history
I have been a Formula One fan since I was a child. You bringing this to us is amazing! Your videos make me happy, and filled with joy. Thank you!
In Belgium, near Brussels we also have this. Its called the F1 circuit de Nivelles. 2 times they raced on it for the Belgium GP
Most of that is gone now though. Last I heard more of the old track was being dug up to expand the office/industrial park that has gradually been taking over the site since the late 80's.
@@jasonuk8333 indeed, what you say is correct. You still can see some small pieces, but most of it is completely gone.
In Berlin we have the "AVUS" race track which is not used as such anymore and now is a part of the Autobahn, you can still see the grandstands on the side.
Wonder how many people pass wondering, "What the hell are they doing there?"
Eine Kurve der AVUS, lag plötzlich in Berlin (Ost) ... und wurde so geändert, dass die AVUS vollständig in Berlin (West) lag!
Great video as always Tim. Can we download your version of "The Chain" anywhere? It has "hit" written all over it.
OOO! Tim's done a video on somewhere I've actually been to! I almost feel cultured! Reims had been on my to do list since I first learnt of the place nearly 20 years ago. Finally ticked it off last September on my way back from a tour of the Alps in my Aston Martin (smug face). Sounded amazing at full throttle, exhaust reverberating off the empty grandstands. A huge "merci" from this Petrolhead to the locals giving up their time and money to preserve this little treasure of racing history, and keeping it open to the passing public.
The Avus abandoned race circuit in Berlin has similar historic grandstands that you pass on the autobahn and the old control tower has been made into a motel. Brooklands in Weybridge UK is a must of a visit as well with the abandoned banked corners and and a museum commemorating the circuit and airfield. Brooklands was reputedly the worlds first purpose built race circuit.
Brooklands was second (June 1907), after Aspendale in Australia (January 1906).
Didn’t know that, good info!
Another great video from the Tim Traveler. It is so nice to see the track buildings being preserved, and racing history being remembered.
This track is better than Paul Ricard :D
A wet paper bag is better than Paul Ricard
@@harrytodhunter5078 Apologize to wet paper bags. 😜
How to get me interested in a subject totally out of my interest realm. Congratulations.
Usually you have something I am totally in tune with. This time you found something totally not in tune but orchestrated it beautifully to my taste.
Great storytelling. Thank you very much.
Greetings from the high plains of Texas.
I'm always impressed with how interesting and entertaining your videos are - no matter what the subject! Encore monsieur!
The Chrimbo limbo is here and it's time for me to once again binge-watch all of your videos for 2022 in the final week of the year! It's become a tradition of mine over the last couple of years and one I look forward to. Looks like there are more great videos this year so off I go...
British man complains about French naming town Gueux, whilst the national sport, to queue, is likewise a 5 letter word ended by 4 redundant letters.
I passed through here a few months before you, lovely place for a stop on the way to somewhere else.
"only a total idiot would walk there from the edge of Reims" - excellent British self-deprecation! That's how it works.
I LOVE your channel man. I just discovered it. Absolutely fantastic content. Least used train station in France is what got me to know you. Maybe because I am French, or because I consume most of my content on YT in English. Anyway, love this
Incredible! Humanity is always so focused on progress and renovation but we sometimes forget to cherish and save the past! I hope this place lives for as long as possible.
I'm going to be honest, I'm not going to trawl though 575 comments to see if anyone else has said this and thus make the following sentence moot, but the musical deep-cuts are a delight. The content on its own is marvellous, but the added joy of piecing together the narrative and marrying it with an often long-lost theme tune is such a treat. I have watched a smattering of your videos having only recently (see tonight) come across your content (via the ubiquitous Geoff) and it's impressed me to the level that I had to make my fingers type stuff and I have famously recalcitrant fingers. Good work sir. Good work.
Love the piano music, don't take this the wrong way but I still can't believe it's you who does it as its so impressive
It’s definitely him - see
ua-cam.com/users/abandonedrugs
@@MrGreatplum oh I know, it just amazes me that not only does he do the music, but the amazing quality of the videos aswell. It's all really good 😊
Great video, and thanks to all the volunteers who take great effort to maintain history.
Amazing, another lost (almost) site being brought back to life by locals. What a shame the mega rich in F1 aren’t involved.
Oddly, I had a similar thought, except the last sentence was more along the lines of "thank the gods the mega rich in modern F1 aren't involved." These are not people who are noted for their regard for history or their taste, after all. I'm pretty sure they would find a way to ruin everything.
@@blitzwing1 I fear the joke is blunted somewhat by the fact that that happens at every auto race everywhere anyway.
Brilliant, thank you for preserving this historic site ! I would love to get to see it in person one day. Cheers
That's a place I would love to have seen, especially in 2014 or 2016 when I came to Europe from the U.S. for four of the nine races I've been to. If they'd torn the place down at the time, I'd have cried about F1 losing part of its history. Then a month ago at Abu Dhabi, they decided to throw their history down the toliet, anyway.
That piano rendition of the Grandstand theme tune gave me actual nostalgic shivers down my spine. Thank you for that!
Great to see an interest in restoring the buildings and signage. I had the opportunity to wonder around in the mid 1080's and it was rather sad.
My husband is always happy when you have a new video, I have to "save" it so he can watch it at the same time I do... well, this was "A good one!" Also, he is so sad we can't travel yet, as he wants to rent a car and drive there, and heck we'd spend a fun day there! Thank you again. If even we can never get there, we've enjoyed seeing it all through your eyes!
Tim finding the most unusual places in Europe, I love it!
Absolutely DELIGHTFUL!!!
With your wonderful humor thrown in to 'lighten' it up.
Thank you.
Happy New Year!!!
☮
Great piece! I've been to the old circuit - so many memories. Thanks!
Excellent film. Just wonderful. Thank you! Your Chain rendition was fab, too.
I loved everything about this video mate, great content. The human pit lane was also quite amusing xD
I’m now on my 2nd video of yours since I ran across your channel browsing. The pedantic town is interesting 🧐
Now I’m watching you walk where I can only dream of walking. Reims-Gueux is the favorite racing circuit of my childhood, along with Lemans. Mainly through movies, books that I read and of course television.
I think the volunteers that are attempting to restore a bit of it are doing a great job.
What a museum and restaurant that property would make !
I look forward to checking out more of your content. Bravo Zulu sir.
Peace Love & Groovies from The Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri 😎
This one was genuinely amazing. Thanks for showing this
The Chain, Tim and a lovely abandoned place! The best!
Incredible. - My dad is going to be so jealous of you for being there. - Thank you for showing us all a great piece of motor history ( again) !
Thanks for sharing this wonderful find! Happy New Year!
I had no idea it still existed! And they are fixing it up, incredible work!
I knew you'd play 'The Chain' in this video. Thanks for not disappointing!
Wow! That is great. I'm so happy they stepped in to preserve and restore that historical site.
Tim you got a nice bunch of videos here. Nice delivery and topics. I suspect you’re on your way to even bigger successes in 2022. Cheers from the states.
Grandstand on the piano while you are talking about the grandstand is a class touch.
Brilliant video Tim, what a great site. As ever, loving the music...
I liked hearing the 'Grandstand' theme when you were visiting the grandstand! Nice touch.
Thanks, Tim. I followed you for the trains, and I'll keep watching for the football and F1 videos. You do good work, thanks again!
I'm totally geeking out here. This is marvelous, Tim!
Wonderfully done. Who knew such gems existed?
Its great that this site is being preserved.
That's an excellent choice of music. Well done Tim!
What a wonderful piece of history, thanks for sharing.
Excellent! One of your best Tim!
As a massive fan of both Formula 1 and your videos, this one is particularly brilliant!
I really hope to go visit the abandoned circuit someday. My grandmother lived in the area as a child, and she remembers the cars driving right at the end of her backyard in the 1950s... While of course, safety regulations would never allow for this type of race anymore, being so close to the cars must've been a thrilling experience.
Thanks again for your really great shots and all the explanations that came with!
Hi Tim, just wanted to say how much I enjoy watching your piano videos. But I also happen to be a train fan so love this channel as well! Andrew
I continue to be astounded by the plethora of oddities you bring to our attention. Keep up the research. Looking forward to the next revelation. Merci, Tim
Love this, add it to my list of places to visit. As usual your accompanying music is first class.
Your videos make me feel like I've gone to someplace while in vacation. Thanks SO much.
Bonus points for including ‘The chain’. I watched F1 for several years before I listened to any Fleetwood Mac for the first time & I remember hearing that bass line start on the track & thinking, “hang on a minute, this sounds familiar!”. 😂
Another gorgeous and fascinating gem from The Tim Traveller. Loved the stock photo from the 1966 Grand Prix grid. Not that long ago, from an historical standpoint. But compared to today's sponsor-laden technological behemoths, those 1966 GP cars look delightfully simple and graceful. Back in the days when BRM and Lotus were painted in British Racing Green.
Beautifully and artfully done. A joy to watch.
Lots of abandoned speedways in the USA as well ... so sad to see. Appreciate the tour and insights. Greetings from Australia. Loved the piano Fleetwood Mac at the start ! 💖
Yeah but this hosted the very pinnacle of the sport - European road racing. ( We have the Thunderdome near my place in Keilor come to think of it )
Great video, very informative!
If anyone happens to pass by the track, try to do it on a sunday as there are impromptu car meets, where you can meet the very friendly volunteers from the association who are helping to keep this place's memory alive.
Your cover of fleetwood mac was divine
What a great video. Wonderful piece of motorsport history.
your homemade keyboard covers/references are my favourite thing about your videos
Love your videos. Just the right mix of history and humor. Thanks for your hard work.
Fantastic! I always wonder what these circuits look like today. I read so much about them and the brave drivers that raced on them.. Cheers🍻🏁