7 replies to this topic

[Roger Clark]

Recent references to TASO Mathieson's book on the pre-first world war GPs made me think again of something I have long wanted to so, namley to visit the scene of those races.

Four circuits were used: Le Mans (not the 24hr circuit) in 1906, Dieppe in 1908, 11 and 12, Amiens in 1911, and Lyons in 1914. Mathieson's book contains detailed maps of each circuit and it is easy to pick them out on a modern Michelin map. The book also contains many action photographs and I think it possible that many landmarks will still be recognisable; Franchsmall towns and rural areas do not change very quickly.
I have no expectation of seeing any of the Stands or bridges built for the races as these were temporary structures. It is possible that there will be some trace of the roads built to by-pass towns and villages.
There may also be a monument commemorating the races. I remember a few years ago while on hoiday in the Republic of Ireland coming across a stone memorial to the 1903 Gordon Bennett race.
Ha anybody already done this, and am I deluding myself in the hope of finding some trace of the race?

[Fast One]

Funny you should bring this up, because I have spent the last few hours marking the scenes of some of thos early races on maps for whenever I am close. I have all the Goden Bennett Races down so far, including the one in Ireland, and most of the early ACF GP's. I think, paved now or not, it would be pretty thrilling to drive some of those same roads now. Maybe in my next life I can do all these things.

[Joe Fan]

Roger, Savannah (Georiga) was used in 1908, 1910, 1911 as was Milwaukee (Wisconsin) in 1912 and Santa Monica (California) in 1914 in addition to the above you noted.

[Dennis David]

The same can be said for re-tracing the Mille Miglia which I myself have done. This is an age old tradition in traveling, re-tracing the steps an earlier traveler/pilgrim made.

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Dennis David
Yahoo = dennis_a_david

Life is racing, the rest is waiting

Grand Prix History
www.ddavid.com/formula1/

[Roger Clark]

Joe, you're quite right and there were also races in Belgium, Italy (including the Targa Florio), Germany and Spain. In America you could also have mentioned the Vanderbilt Cup races on Long Island.
I resticted myself to the Grands Prix de l'ACF, which rightly or wrongly I believe to be the most important race of the time.
Georgia is always on my mind, but it's harder for me to get to than France

[Joe Fan]

Roger, I think it is a shame that the tracks that legends were born on, made on, or reaffirmed on that are a part of history have to fall to the wayside to become junk yards, shopping malls, housing additions or that their original designs and landscaping have changed so much that they are virtually unrecognizable. I applaud the effort of the groups trying to save the Monza banking and Brookslands even though I may never get to see them. They need to be saved for the sake of history and the motorsports fans like us.

I also wanted to add that you are not alone for wanting to retrace the steps of famous race tracks that are now gone. I am still in the process of trying to find out where the track was in my area that held AAA IndyCar races in the 1920's.

[Ray Bell]

It's been a prime concern of mine to find old circuits over the past thirty five years or so. I've detailed previously my views on the incomparable Lobethal, and if things work out with Jonesy I'll have my story about it on a website soon and set up a link.
Anyone retracing the circuits will be rewarded. WILL BE. No matter what the photos show, there is always more to be seen on the ground. And the photographers were usually too lazy to get the best shots anyway.
Go for it, you never know what might come of it.
As things have turned out, I am the ONLY person to have seen EVERY circuit on which the Australian Grand Prix has been held. Perhaps a minor achievement, but one that is unlikely to be matched - some have now been destroyed.... Thirty years has made a difference.
I'm glad I did it then....

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Life and love are mixed with pain...

[Fast One]

I've taken my son around the original Glen circuit, and he was pretty impressed. He was more impressed when I explained to him that originally there were about five types of surface ranging from gravel to concrete encountered each lap.

Th beautiful thing about the pre-WWI "tracks" is that they wer nearly all on public roads and mostly survive intact, albeit with tarmac and alot more width.