10 replies to this topic

[Leif Snellman]

Here is a new little mystery for you to solve.

I have recieved the following information from Alger:

"I read sometimes that the circuit on which the 1934 GP of
Algiers was held was the circuit of Bouzaréah, but neither me nor my father
never were informed of a circuit around this hill, I just remember that
there was a narrow circuit near the Ouled-Fayet small town, I think. On the
other hand, there was there a hill climb. Here a picture of the 1957 event :

http://2ie.mpl.ird.f...ouzareah-03.htm

On the other hand, the circuit regularly used (until 1974) for the major
events, like the big sports cars endurance race of 1936, was the circuit of
Staouéli. Here a picture of the hairpin :

http://2ie.mpl.ird.f...eli-1957-01.htm

It seems to me that there is a small mystery."

So much for the letter. I can add that a Bouzarea hill climb is included in Hans' hill climb list, 6 Dec 1936.

Sheldon says about the 1934 race:
"The course was situated at Bouzerea on high ground overlooking Algiers itself. The circuit was very twisting and relatively slow."

Pritchard also clames the 1934 race to be at Bouzerea.

And Anthony Blight says in his "French Sports car revolution" page 199 that the 1936 sports car revent was called Targa Bouzarea.

So what is the truth? Can someone find more information? Is there a map available? What about the 1920s Algerian races?

[Darren Galpin]

There were two tracks, and I have maps for these sat on my PC at home awaiting addition to my webpage. Give me a couple of days......

[Leif Snellman]

Thanks Darren! Looking forward to add them to my homepage too!

[Hans Etzrodt]

Races were held 1930 in Algeria at the Staouéli Circuit of 7.2 and/or 8.2 km and the Arcole Circuit near Oran (9.046 km).

[Darren Galpin]

9.017 km circuit used for the Grand Prix d'Oranie in 1930 and 1932.


7.000 km circuit used for the Grand Prix d'Alger in the late 1920s.

[Hans Etzrodt]

Darren,
Thanks for the circuit maps. The Staouéli Circuit was 7.200 km long according to the distance given on your map.

[Leif Snellman]

Thanks a lot Darren!

[ry6]

It appears that there was a lot of racing activity in North African countries, particularly Algeria and Morrocco, in the 1920's and early 1930's.
Sadly this activity seems to have "dried up" after WW2 although we had the odd World Championship GP at Morrocco in the late 50's and maybe up to 1960?

What was the reason for the ceasing of "big time" motor racing in these countries?

I am particularly interested in the result of the 1928 Morrocco GP won by E. Meyer (Bugatti) from G. Rost (Georges Irat) and Mario (Bugatti).

This was apparently a race for touringcars so what models were the Bugattis? Does anybody perhaps have any record of this race and who was the driver "Mario".?

[Rob29]

Originally posted by ry6
It appears that there was a lot of racing activity in North African countries, particularly Algeria and Morrocco, in the 1920's and early 1930's.
Sadly this activity seems to have "dried up" after WW2 although we had the odd World Championship GP at Morrocco in the late 50's and maybe up to 1960?

What was the reason for the ceasing of "big time" motor racing in these countries?

Seems to coincide with the departure of french rule in those colonies. Tripoli has not seen a race since the italians were driven out during WW2. There is a historic meeting in Tunisia,but apart from an obsure F3 race at Casablanca,nothing since the 1958 GP. Off-road Rally Raids are or course still popular.

[Boniver]

http://rambert.francis.free.fr/

http://rambert.franc...il/adfhome.html

http://rambert.franc...tm/phototdm.htm



I was in Alger last week and search

road circuit BOUZARÉAH - 1934 Grand Prix d'Alger (Algiers)
Type: Road course
Length: ca 8.1 km
Location: Bouzaréah, a large hill and village West of Algiers overlooking the city.


People indicated always to "Quartier air the France"; "La Bouzarea" and "La Tribu".

A old taxi driver confirmed followed circuit:

- start "La Bouzarea" desente route W65
- route N41 left and after 50 m left to El Biar (route W119)
- after 2 km (light climb) stay left - you have after 200m a dubble left
- and now with the twisting hill climb (4 km to the top of hill)
- on the top (place Martunelli - cross road to "Tribu" and "Ceboite") 180° to left
- and back desente route W65 (right you see the school (ecole) and "Quartier air the France"

And Yes 8 km............

maby the end of a small mystery ?

After 1934 there no longer a Algiers and Marocco Grand Prix

[gdecarli]

Originally posted by Boniver
A old taxi driver confirmed followed circuit:

- start "La Bouzarea" desente route W65
- route N41 left and after 50 m left to El Biar (route W119)
- after 2 km (light climb) stay left - you have after 200m a dubble left
- and now with the twisting hill climb (4 km to the top of hill)
- on the top (place Martunelli - cross road to "Tribu" and "Ceboite") 180° to left
- and back desente route W65 (right you see the school (ecole) and "Quartier air the France"

I tried to drawn track map. Possibly is a little rough, but it should be like this.

Ciao,
Guido