We are bringing back the summer times to this space. Like I hinted in my previous post, I will be sharing my experiences throughout the Euro road trip I took my Megane on, last summer. Unlike Jeremy Clarkson, who detests French cars and has never owned one, we established that I’m passionate about them and this trip was the perfect opportunity to.. well either grow more affection towards them or regret my life choices all together.
As soon as I had the Isaac Newton moment of an apple dropping on my head (not literally), I started planning out my trip. I have to say, thanks to the Internet Gods and Google Maps, this was so smooth that within a few hours I had a full journey drawn. And I know what you are thinking.. ‘you surely didn’t stick to that initial plan’. Yes, you are right I didn’t, well, the first 3 days it was per plan, from then on, it was quoi que ce soit or whatever. I wanted to visit as many places as I possibly could in 6 days. Now, you could imagine what driving to the south of France looks like – boring motorway miles and constant tolls, emptying your pockets – that’s it. I’m driving a ‘hot-hatch’ so this could not be an option or I might as well go up to Scotland on an 8 hour trip. By the way, nothing against Scotland, I’m even thinking of doing the ‘North Coast 500’. Anyway, I specifically put a diversion off the motorway to burn some fuel on a road called D2 en route to Cannes. We will get back to this.
Following a nerve-wrecking couple of weeks, ensuring the 15 years old Megane needs nothing but fuel to get going, I set off on the early morning of 15th July. I must admit, up until I reached the Channel crossing at Folkestone, all of this didn’t seem real. 2 hours after I disembarked the train at Calais, I found myself at arguably one of the most surreal places I’ve been to. This is the former Formula 1 track ‘Reims-Gueux’. For the history freaks, it was in use until 1966 as part of the F1 calendar and closed completely in 1972. Closed is perhaps not the right word, as large portions of the track were used (and still are) by motorists on daily basis. Another ‘Learning with Veni’ fact is that it was deemed as one of the most dangerous tracks at the time, that was inevitable, as it featured two long straights at approx. 2.2km each. Drivers were reaching speeds of up to 140mph, this is the 60s remember, absolutely bonkers. None of the overly-regulated F1 we are currently watching, or not. Success was down to the size of your balls and your car not breaking.
The moment I approached the infamous start/finish straight and still remaining Grand Stands/ Pit boxes and Timekeepers’ building, I realised the hype around this place. The atmosphere is like no other. Luckily I arrived at a fairly quiet time and I swear if you dropped a coin, you would hear the echo somewhere in the stands.. such an eerie place. Just picture those screaming Ferrari engines and the crowd cheering from the stands, unbelievable. Before we get teary, I had a good walk around the place, went up the stairs from where they waved the flags and took some photos as you do. I also met a fellow Brit on his motorbike, stopping to admire the view, on his way to.. I forgot, somewhere.
Start/Finish 
Grand Stands from the rear
Tunnel underneath the track for spectators
It’s worth mentioning that, the uniquely preserved signs over the Pit Boxes and general condition are not thanks to the clean French air but a non-profit organisation from nearby Reims. They make sure this place is as close to how it looked back in the glory days. Also, don’t forget there is someone driving past the Grand Stands today not realising the emotion this place brought to people (maybe not today, but you get the idea). Next post would be about the breath-taking views of Southern France and the first time I heard angry French drivers beeping their horn at my spirited driving. I mean, wouldn’t you drive at 5-6000rpm, tearing corners, feeling like Jean Ragnotti in a Renault 5 Maxi Turbo (the long name thing)?
Chao.
PetrolAddiction 