3 days Ago By Fraser Watson
Formula 1 is a sport rich in history, where legends are born and their memories live on . The tracks that host the world's top drivers often become legendary, either for their iconic design or notoriety. However, not all circuits have withstood the test of time.
In fact, in north-eastern France , a track that hosted motorsport's premier event across three different decades now lies in ruins, unfit for visitors, let alone the glitz and glamour that accompanies current stars like Lewis Hamilton . The Reims-Gueux circuit first hosted an F1 Grand Prix in 1932, with Italian driver Tazio Nuvolari taking the chequered flag in his Alfa Romeo. Fast forward 24 years, and it was the legendary Jack Brabham who claimed victory on his way to his third and final world title.
Joey Logano hits The Glen with four-word blast despite taking ownership of wreck Denny Hamlin says NASCAR wreck was his fault before race even began That race marked the 13th time the track had hosted an F1 event, and it turned out to be the last. The venue continued to host sports car competitions until 1969 and motorcycle racing for another three years before it permanently closed due to financial difficulties. The circuit remained dormant until 1997 when it was selected to host a historical exhibition event.
However, the excitement over its apparent revival was short-lived, as the race was cancelled due to technical issues. By 2002, the only vehicles summoned to the circuit were those tasked with demolition. Drive past the area now, and you'll see remnants of its glorious past, though they are worn and faded.
Sponsorship signs from Brabham's triumphant Sunday some 58 years ago still stand on the public road that runs alongside the track, their images torn and barely visible. Much of what made up the paddock and grandstands has been demolished and removed. Moreover, most of the surface that once formed a high-speed track, renowned for its long straights, has been converted back into public roads.
Even photographic evidence is becoming scarce due to legislation passed following complaints by the mayor of Gueux, the town nearest to the old circuit. Allegations of anti-social behaviour have led to unscheduled visits being banned since 2022. Those wishing to take a nostalgic journey must now obtain permission and plan their visit in advance.
However, Les Amis du Circuit du Gueux, a preservation society that has spent years attempting to restore the remaining structures at the venue, continues to hold meetings there. Visitors who are granted access to take photos and explore the echoes of F1's past are not charged, but are encouraged to make donations to support the ongoing preservation work. But for those lucky enough to remember the brilliance of Brabham and his peers, it is only the memories that now remain.
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