Sunday, 24 March 2024

Reims 2024 - Reims-Gueux Grand Prix Circuit

 The former Reims Gueux  race track is located 8 km west of Reims . The racing circuit was made up of public roads and was active during from 1926 till 1966.

Located 8 km west of Reims is a former Grand Prix racing circuit which was made up of rural public roads. 

The grandstand, pits and other buildings have been restored and the public roads used in the racing are in still in use. The preservation of the circuit and it's history is undertaken by Les amis du Circuit de Gueux.

The circuit established in 1926 when the circuit hosted the second Grand Prix de la Marne.

1926 Grand Prix de la Marne

The  original circuit  went through the village of Gueux.

Reims-Gueux Grand Circuit 1926

1928 Grand Prix de la Marne Gueux

The Grand Prix de la Marne was held on the circuit from 1926 to 1931.


 In 1932 it was the venue for the French Grand Prix. 

1932 French Grand Prix

From 1933 to 1937 the Grand Prix de la Marne returned, as did the French Grand Prix in 1938 and 1939. 
1936 Grand Prix de la Marne Gueux

Grand Prix racing was suspended from 1940 to 1946 during the Second World War.
The first post war race in Reims was the 1948 French Grand Prix which was also held there in 1949, 1950 and 1951.

1951 French Grand Prix

For the 1952 Grand Prix  de la Marne the track was re-configured to bypass Gueux.




Reims-Gueux Grand Circuit 1952

The circuit hosted the French Grand Prix in 1953,1954,1956, 1958 to 1961,1963 and 1966.

1966 French Grand Prix

The circuit closed in 1972. As well as the Grand Prix racing the circuit hosted hosted the 12 hours of Reims sports cars endurance race and motor cycle racing. 

1967 12 Hours of Reims

1967 12 Hours of Reims

Reims-Gueux

Reims-Gueux Pits and Hospitality Stand

Reims-Gueux Pits and Timekeepers building

Reims-Gueux Starting Straight

Reims-Gueux DM AJ IJ


Reims-Gueux Circuits

The current public roads make a circuit of the original 1926 circuit possible (Yellow Route). It does however pass through the centre of the village of Gueux. The 1953 circuit is not possible (Red Route) as part of that route comes to a dead end and does not connect the rest of the circuit.

It is possible to complete a circuit which combines both the 1926 and 1953 circuits. The starting straight is common to both circuits. Then it is case of joining the 1953 circuit to bypass Gueux, before rejoining the 1926 circuit. The circuits combine at the Virage de la Garenne down the straight  to Virage de Thillois and right onto the finishing straight. 

Reims-Gueux ready for the off

Reims-Gueux ready for the off