Circuit du Grand Sambuc;
In the Aix-du-Province region..of France
Has anyone here ever visited this track facility, and can anyone supply any photos / details of this racetrack... Does the track offer any events, or track days etc.etc. I understand there is a XVII th Century Castle on the facility, does anyone know anything about this place?
There does not seem to be too much about it on the internet. I found a web site, but it also is limited.
http://www.circuit-s...-auto.com/hten/
Circuit du Grand Sambuc
Started by
Racers Edge
, Nov 23 2003 12:26
6 replies to this topic
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#2
2F-001
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Posted 23 November 2003 - 13:02
I visited the place a few years ago - we had a private track day there organised by a British outfit as a part of a mini-marathon across the south of France (six tracks in eight days!).
I'm not entirely sure of it's current status - it has supposedly been up for sale (maybe not continuously) for a number of years - at least six. It was featured in a UK national newspaper a little while ago as an unusual estate up for grabs. It was pretty expensive, especially compared to what Mas du Clos is rumoured to be available for. (I can't remember the exact figures though).
Grand Sambuc is (was?) a private facility built largely to allow for the owner to exercise his collection of cars. I think it has staged sections of historic tours and rallies and the like - but I'm not sure it has staged any mainstream racing. The trackside facilities are non-existant. Although they did us a really splendid lunch in the Bastide (the smaller, more modern addition to the chateau there).
The setting is marvellous, the track nestles in a little vale in the top of the hills (north east of Aix) in a totally rural setting. It is very isolated and access was quite an adventure, up a twisty climb through a gorge from the D road. I seem to remember some of the guys who had their track tools in transporters didn't make it to the track. The isolation is such that I suspect regular support, maintenance and supply may be an issue for a new owner - there must be some reason that such a lovely estate wasn't selling.
I don't know who may now organise driving events there (the people I went with are no longer operating) - the circuit was fun: pretty small and narrow with one quick curve, the rest being a mix of fairly slow twists and turns with a tricky blind crest diving straight into a very tight hairpin near the end of the lap. It was great fun in a Caterham - anything bigger might be a bit of a handful - some of the Porsche drivers went pretty well, but it was far from their favourite of the trip - and a few folk with proper race machinery such as a Radical felt they'd have been more comfortable in a more forgiving car. If you overdid it in a big way we could done some serious damage as the track is a bit confined. But if you get the chance to go - don't let me put you off - it was a very pleasant place to be and great fun to drive - but it wasn't Spa or Dijon!! - and maybe one day was enough at a time. And there are more rewarding circuits at that end of France.
I'll have a look to see what pictures I still have from the trip.
I'm not entirely sure of it's current status - it has supposedly been up for sale (maybe not continuously) for a number of years - at least six. It was featured in a UK national newspaper a little while ago as an unusual estate up for grabs. It was pretty expensive, especially compared to what Mas du Clos is rumoured to be available for. (I can't remember the exact figures though).
Grand Sambuc is (was?) a private facility built largely to allow for the owner to exercise his collection of cars. I think it has staged sections of historic tours and rallies and the like - but I'm not sure it has staged any mainstream racing. The trackside facilities are non-existant. Although they did us a really splendid lunch in the Bastide (the smaller, more modern addition to the chateau there).
The setting is marvellous, the track nestles in a little vale in the top of the hills (north east of Aix) in a totally rural setting. It is very isolated and access was quite an adventure, up a twisty climb through a gorge from the D road. I seem to remember some of the guys who had their track tools in transporters didn't make it to the track. The isolation is such that I suspect regular support, maintenance and supply may be an issue for a new owner - there must be some reason that such a lovely estate wasn't selling.
I don't know who may now organise driving events there (the people I went with are no longer operating) - the circuit was fun: pretty small and narrow with one quick curve, the rest being a mix of fairly slow twists and turns with a tricky blind crest diving straight into a very tight hairpin near the end of the lap. It was great fun in a Caterham - anything bigger might be a bit of a handful - some of the Porsche drivers went pretty well, but it was far from their favourite of the trip - and a few folk with proper race machinery such as a Radical felt they'd have been more comfortable in a more forgiving car. If you overdid it in a big way we could done some serious damage as the track is a bit confined. But if you get the chance to go - don't let me put you off - it was a very pleasant place to be and great fun to drive - but it wasn't Spa or Dijon!! - and maybe one day was enough at a time. And there are more rewarding circuits at that end of France.
I'll have a look to see what pictures I still have from the trip.
#3
Racers Edge
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Posted 23 November 2003 - 14:46
Hello Tony..thanks for the reply, it does sound like a great place to play, and I wonder if it could ever hold , say: a Major Vintage race event..it's a beautiful location, .... lot's of room, and it should have "Great weather" conditions to organise a Vintage race in September / October, when all other racing is finished for the season. and the rain / snow is a flying..everywhere else. I did hear that a 1km extension is in the planning stage, maybe that might help to make it more interesting? 
#4
hhh
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Posted 01 December 2003 - 20:36
I visited the place very recently as it was offered for sale, with the idea to maybe turn it into a collectors test circuit.
It's....interesting.
The road leading to the circuit is small, certainly very small if you want to bring a racing truck.
The track is narrow with outdated safety installations and some corners better suited to a Caterham than anything else. However it could be expanded a little.
The " castle" was built in the '60's and needs a lot of work as does the complete set-up including the school at the entrance which could be turned into a hotel but at huge costs.
The owner has sold most of his cars but keeps a nice collection of models and racing memorabilia.
It could only be used for racing after a huge investment and then it would be almost impossible to get spectators to the circuit.
So it can really only be used for private testing and for that it still needs quite a lot of money to bring it up to reasonable standards.
It's....interesting.
The road leading to the circuit is small, certainly very small if you want to bring a racing truck.
The track is narrow with outdated safety installations and some corners better suited to a Caterham than anything else. However it could be expanded a little.
The " castle" was built in the '60's and needs a lot of work as does the complete set-up including the school at the entrance which could be turned into a hotel but at huge costs.
The owner has sold most of his cars but keeps a nice collection of models and racing memorabilia.
It could only be used for racing after a huge investment and then it would be almost impossible to get spectators to the circuit.
So it can really only be used for private testing and for that it still needs quite a lot of money to bring it up to reasonable standards.
#5
Racers Edge
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Posted 01 December 2003 - 21:23
(yyy) First off the Castle was built in the XVII Century...( not 1960) .but your comment of: "it would be almost impossible to get spectators to the circuit" What! .... it has 650 Ha ( 1500 acres) of land, are you kidding? and borders 3 towns YES the borders of the property are on 3 different village state roads...( a dream for race tracks) entrance roads can be changed....but you have to think about how great a place it could be, if it was developed for that special Vintage race car event, in the south of France, when all is cold and wet at the end of the season in Europe ( like now) the final race event could be, at the Grand Sambuc ..eg: " Bahamas Speed Week" ( what do you think?) . 
#7
P. Dron
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Posted 18 December 2008 - 13:13
Originally posted by Racers Edge
(yyy) First off the Castle was built in the XVII Century...( not 1960) .but your comment of: "it would be almost impossible to get spectators to the circuit" What! .... it has 650 Ha ( 1500 acres) of land, are you kidding? and borders 3 towns YES the borders of the property are on 3 different village state roads...( a dream for race tracks) entrance roads can be changed....but you have to think about how great a place it could be, if it was developed for that special Vintage race car event, in the south of France, when all is cold and wet at the end of the season in Europe ( like now) the final race event could be, at the Grand Sambuc ..eg: " Bahamas Speed Week" ( what do you think?) .
http://www.telegraph...rive-.-.-..html
As you will see from this, there are two large houses on the site which could loosely be called chateaux. One dates from the 17th century, and was rather crudely extended in the 1950s. The other was built to the specifications of Regis Fraissinet, in an 18th century style, and only an expert would spot that it was actually constructed in the 1970s. It is a magnificent house, with views on a clear day of the Mediterranean and the Alps, and also of le Grand Sambuc itself, a craggy peak within the property.
You say entrance roads can be changed. Well, yes, but try pushing that past the French local authorities for a race circuit.
Incidentally, I was reliably informed a year ago, after the property changed hands, that the buyers were Messrs Todt and Briatore (truly a partnership made in Heaven...). Does anyone have any more recent information about that?
