Grand Prix Rejects

I have only really been aware of four oval tracks in Europe before today - Brooklands, Monza, Rockingham, and Lausitz. But according to this Autosport article, there is a new oval in Tours, France. I tried Googling this track, and looking it up on Wikipedia, but found nothing. Does anybody know anything about this new race track? Is there a configuaration that could be used for a return of the F1 French Grand Prix? And have there been any other ovals in Europe that I have forgotten?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autodrome_de_Linas-Montlh%C3%A9ry

It's been closed since the dawn of time it seems.

Enna-Pergusa without chicanes in the early days, albeit the Curvone left-handed banked-corner is typically an american one.

AVUS.

dr-baker wrote:I have only really been aware of four oval tracks in Europe before today - Brooklands, Monza, Rockingham, and Lausitz. But according to this Autosport article, there is a new oval in Tours, France. I tried Googling this track, and looking it up on Wikipedia, but found nothing. Does anybody know anything about this new race track? Is there a configuaration that could be used for a return of the F1 French Grand Prix? And have there been any other ovals in Europe that I have forgotten?

Did a bit of digging for you, and found more on this link here : http://www.racecarspeedway.com/racecar-tours-gb.html - basically the track looks like a slightly larger UK Stock Car / Banger racing track. They're calling it "The first temporary urban short-track in the world."

Also on that page there is a box on the left hand side with Information underneath it, click on that and it'll bring up a pdf file with details of the whole event.

And once you click on the link, I don't think you will need an answer to your question as to whether the French GP could be run there ...

That series actually looks quite interesting, and far better run than anything else that's been done similarly this past 10 years or so (I'm thinking ASCAR, etc.). They even have a non-championship race at Daytona in November! They need to work on getting to ovals now though as well. It's all very well running at Brands, Spa, Nogaro, Le Mans, etc but they need some ovals in there too for credibility and to make it a proper step for European drivers trying to get into NASCAR proper. A race at Rockingham and one at Lausitz too would go down nicely with what they already have. Amazing they've got Motors TV behind it as well, that should help it, and it's an official FIA-sanctioned championship which can't be bad. Hopefully the series goes from strength to strength in the future.

madmark1974 wrote:

dr-baker wrote:I have only really been aware of four oval tracks in Europe before today - Brooklands, Monza, Rockingham, and Lausitz. But according to this Autosport article, there is a new oval in Tours, France. I tried Googling this track, and looking it up on Wikipedia, but found nothing. Does anybody know anything about this new race track? Is there a configuaration that could be used for a return of the F1 French Grand Prix? And have there been any other ovals in Europe that I have forgotten?

Did a bit of digging for you, and found more on this link here : http://www.racecarspeedway.com/racecar-tours-gb.html - basically the track looks like a slightly larger UK Stock Car / Banger racing track. They're calling it "The first temporary urban short-track in the world."

Also on that page there is a box on the left hand side with Information underneath it, click on that and it'll bring up a pdf file with details of the whole event.

And once you click on the link, I don't think you will need an answer to your question as to whether the French GP could be run there ...

I've clicked on the link, and it would make for a very eventful and spectacular French GP...

Verde wrote:Enna-Pergusa without chicanes in the early days, albeit the Curvone left-handed banked-corner is typically an american one.

AVUS.

And how could I forget AVUS?!

Wow! That is impressive, given how amateur previous attempts to introduce stock cars to Europe looked like.
They even attracted some high-tier drivers, like Javier Villa (GP2) or Harry Vaulkhard (BTCC, WTCC) and managed to invite Yvan Muller.
Let's hope this series will get more media coverage.

There is also Mallory Park. An oval curciut that was used in Formula 2.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mallory_Park

DOSBoot wrote:There is also Mallory Park. An oval curciut that was used in Formula 2.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mallory_Park

Bugger me, I should be ashamed for not remembering that! I only lived about 10 miles away from it up until last week!

OVALS ARE EVERYWHERE!!!



Also in Finland

So obviously, some of these ovals are no longer in use (Brooklands, Monza, ?AVUS) but there seem to be plenty still around. This EuroNASCAR series that Yvan Muller is competing in certainly still seem to have plenty to choose from - which probably means that they ought to do so?

Vepe wrote:OVALS ARE EVERYWHERE!!!



Also in Finland

Erm... I can see something...

AdrianSutil wrote:

Vepe wrote:OVALS ARE EVERYWHERE!!!



Also in Finland

Erm... I can see something...

Something that could be perceived as unsuitable for a family forum by any chance?

dr-baker wrote:

AdrianSutil wrote:

Vepe wrote:OVALS ARE EVERYWHERE!!!



Also in Finland

Erm... I can see something...

Something that could be perceived as unsuitable for a family forum by any chance?

Someone shelter Mr Metcalf's innocent eyes!

East Londoner wrote:

dr-baker wrote:

AdrianSutil wrote:Erm... I can see something...

Something that could be perceived as unsuitable for a family forum by any chance?

Someone shelter Mr Metcalf's innocent eyes!

Oh no...

At least that track, even in it's...particular layout, is better than any Tilkedrone.

You want a REAL oval?

Sitges-Terramar.

That is all.

As long as they have safer barriers, well...the ones that have walls, that is. I guess Finland doesn't gotta worry bout it.

Pointrox wrote:Wow! That is impressive, given how amateur previous attempts to introduce stock cars to Europe looked like.
They even attracted some high-tier drivers, like Javier Villa (GP2) or Harry Vaulkhard (BTCC, WTCC) and managed to invite Yvan Muller.
Let's hope this series will get more media coverage.

It should, since it is now sanctioned in the NASCAR series. The championship winner will get an actual NASCAR test.

Another one for you - The Grenzlandring, here are a couple of links about it - it was run on public roads which are still there, but slightly modified now :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grenzlandring

http://www.circuitsofthepast.nl/index.php/en-US/grenzlandring

And a bit more on that Sitges track eytl mentioned above - 60 degree banking! :

http://www.circuitsofthepast.nl/index.php/en-US/sitges

Does Nardò count?

Also, there's a couple of banger racing tracks near where I used to live in Essex, one at Henham and one between Felsted and Braintree... they're ovals, nominally!

madmark1974 wrote:
And a bit more on that Sitges track eytl mentioned above - 60 degree banking! :

http://www.circuitsofthepast.nl/index.php/en-US/sitges

...Somehow I don't think that's safe.

Sullivangate wrote:

madmark1974 wrote:
And a bit more on that Sitges track eytl mentioned above - 60 degree banking! :

http://www.circuitsofthepast.nl/index.php/en-US/sitges

...Somehow I don't think that's safe.

That and the lack of a wall. Nothing like a corner that could be used as an X-Games-esque jump.

I always did like the CART race at the Rockingham Oval and then there are the two races at German Pocono/Lausitzring...

Cynon wrote:

Sullivangate wrote:

madmark1974 wrote:
And a bit more on that Sitges track eytl mentioned above - 60 degree banking! :

http://www.circuitsofthepast.nl/index.php/en-US/sitges

...Somehow I don't think that's safe.

That and the lack of a wall. Nothing like a corner that could be used as an X-Games-esque jump.

I always did like the CART race at the Rockingham Oval and then there are the two races at German Pocono/Lausitzring...

Those were fun races. Expensive for the teams. But fun.

madmark1974 wrote:
And a bit more on that Sitges track eytl mentioned above - 60 degree banking! :

http://www.circuitsofthepast.nl/index.php/en-US/sitges

Sullivangate wrote:

Cynon wrote:

Sullivangate wrote:
...Somehow I don't think that's safe.

That and the lack of a wall. Nothing like a corner that could be used as an X-Games-esque jump.

I always did like the CART race at the Rockingham Oval and then there are the two races at German Pocono/Lausitzring...

Those were fun races. Expensive for the teams. But fun.

Sadly only two races at each venue. INDYCAR, COME BACK TO EUROPE !!! NOW !!!

Cynon wrote:

Sullivangate wrote:

madmark1974 wrote:
And a bit more on that Sitges track eytl mentioned above - 60 degree banking! :

http://www.circuitsofthepast.nl/index.php/en-US/sitges

...Somehow I don't think that's safe.

That and the lack of a wall. Nothing like a corner that could be used as an X-Games-esque jump.

I always did like the CART race at the Rockingham Oval and then there are the two races at German Pocono/Lausitzring...

DTM/IndyCar weekend! Of course, indy runs the oval, DTM runs the infield

The European Late Model Series http://www.oasces.com/ race at Venray http://www.racewayvenray.com/ and shorter tracks like Warneton, Ipswich, the oval at Lydden Hill and they have also raced at Hednesford. There are loads of short ovals in the uk and europe, i wish we had more of the larger ones.

Vepe wrote:Also in Finland

Alastaro? Some happy memories of playing Super Trucks on that circuit.

madmark1974 wrote:

dr-baker wrote:I have only really been aware of four oval tracks in Europe before today - Brooklands, Monza, Rockingham, and Lausitz. But according to this Autosport article, there is a new oval in Tours, France. I tried Googling this track, and looking it up on Wikipedia, but found nothing. Does anybody know anything about this new race track? Is there a configuaration that could be used for a return of the F1 French Grand Prix? And have there been any other ovals in Europe that I have forgotten?

Did a bit of digging for you, and found more on this link here : http://www.racecarspeedway.com/racecar-tours-gb.html - basically the track looks like a slightly larger UK Stock Car / Banger racing track. They're calling it "The first temporary urban short-track in the world."

Also on that page there is a box on the left hand side with Information underneath it, click on that and it'll bring up a pdf file with details of the whole event.

And once you click on the link, I don't think you will need an answer to your question as to whether the French GP could be run there ...

Just remembered about this having seen a Top Gear repeat with footage of Nardo. Below is the full Motors TV coverage of the Tours Oval Event - the track is like a mini-Indianapolis run in a car park ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF7axQ8pPLE

A lap of the track is at approx 1:35 and the first race starts at 6:00.