Circuit des Remparts 16- 18 September 2005

David Martynski 29/07/2014 | 0

Circuit des Remparts 16- 18 September 2005

At Angoulé’s centre is the ancient Cite des Valois with its high walls or ramparts surrounded by steep ascending and descending roadways which are closed off for one September weekend to provide a street circuit that is demanding on cars and drivers alike. The combination of hairpin bends and fast straights make for a very exciting and challenging track. The close proximity of the all too solid stone walls and tall buildings adds to the drama and the danger, while the roar of numerous vintage exhaust systems is amplified by the narrow confines of the ancient streets.

The event attracts large well matched grids with impressive line-ups of pre-war racers such as Fraser Nash, Bugatti, Riley and MG plus grids of post war classics such as Porsche 911s, Formula Junior and GT cars including the Renault Alpine A110, TVR and Lotus. For the vintage and classic car fan the combination of wonderful old racing machines in such a picturesque setting provides a unique event which remains the only race in France that takes place within the walls of a town. Needless to say it all comes together in a very French way and on the Friday and Saturday the streets of Angoulé are filled with classics of every type. Race entrants drive to the event through the centre with their cars in race trim, stripped of headlights and wings or mudguards and the whole weekend is redolent with French classic motor racing exuberance and eccentricity.

As well as street racing Angoulé also has a close link with the world of cartoons and illustrated stories or comics and every year it hosts Le Festival International de la Bande Dessinee, one of the world’s largest festivals of comic art. The local obsession with comics is reflected in the bust of Herge in the centre of the shopping precinct and the many decorated houses depicting comic heros.

However the weekend is much more than just a road race but is also a celebration of all facets of classic motoring and kicks off with a wonderful Concours d’Elénce. In the correct manner this demands not only that the car should be original and immaculate but that the driver and passenger should also be dressed in the appropriate style to match the vehicle. This takes place on the Friday evening at the Jardin Vert and each participating car is driven up onto a floodlit platform where it can be viewed by the panel of judges and the crowd who are seated in rows on the hillside. The compere, a garrulous Frenchman described each car in an effusive style and then interviewed the owner for details of the car’s history. The crowd were very appreciative of each entrant and there was a delightful moment when a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud Coupe was started and the compere urged everyone to listen to the sound of the engine which was of course undetectable. A very handsome French owned MG TD was particularly well received as was Richard Clark’s Jaguar XK 140. His wife who was very elegantly attired in a chiffon summer dress bravely posed by the car despite the bitterly cold wind.

On Saturday the Rallye Touristique Internationnal is held. This is a decidedly upmarket road run around the Charente countryside with its forest and vineyards. The Run departs from the ‘Gét’ Supermarket and the cost of the run includes a very fine lunch. Those participants who had enjoyed the lunch complete with wines and even a glass of local brandy were somewhat dismayed to be stopped and subjected to a breath test. Happily none of them proved to be over the prescribed limit but it’s worth remembering that this is a possibility if you decide to take part in the road run next year.

In the late afternoon the Concours d’Etat is held on the lawns around the Hô de Ville in the centre of town, this competition concentrates on the condition of the cars. After the judging participants adjourn to a buffet supper where the winner of the Concours d’Etat is awarded with his or her height in bottles of Cognac. Apparently it’s been observed that the winner of this event is seldom very tall.

The first Circuit des Remparts was held in 1939 and a 1.1 litre MG was listed among the cars taking part and was driven by a chap called Herkuleyns. The racing continues to appeal to this day and the Sunday provided a full day’s practice and racing between cars of impeccable pedigree. My ticket gave access to the paddock and to the small grandstands erected for the weekend but they quickly filled up and the only way to be sure of a good view was to claim a seat early on and occupy it all day long. Concerns for safety have entailed the erection of barriers and extensive wire fencing, although these served well to protect they also impeded the view. The locals occupied every available vantage point be it a wall or balcony, while small boys climbed the trees to get a better view.

Racing is furious and very close with the drivers working hard on the twisty circuit, Barry Foster in his MG Monthé ‘The Rat’ was first over the line in the race for vintage sports under 1500cc which had a grid packed with MGs.

The Circuit des Remparts is an extraordinary event quite unlike anything else and it reflects an approach to classic motor racing that is typically French, both eccentric and enormous fun.