Saturday, July 15, 2006

Round 11: The French Grand Prix









Magny-Cours arose effectively (and indeed literally) from nowhere, rising from a small national racing circuit to one of the world's premier facilities.

Founded 1960 as the Circuit Jean Behra, it was initially a short 1.21 miles blast, the brainchild of local farmer Jean Bernigaud who created the track on land next to his farm.




The circuit flourished and it's Winfield racing school, established in 1963, soon became world famous after churning out the majority of France's GP winners in 1970s and 80s.

A new loop was added in 1971, forming two inter-connected circuits and bringing the total lap distance up to 2.39 miles.

By the time French racing authorities decided to revamp the circuit with Government money as the new home of the French Grand Prix, there was also a thriving industrial estate for racing comapanies, including units for the ORECA team and the Martini factory.





The new circuit opened in 1989, based loosely on the old but incorporating corners that were facsimilies of others from tracks around the world.

Impressive in every respect, the circuit is now one of the most used around the world, hosting rounds of all the major car racing championships. It also briefly held the 500cc, 250cc and 125cc FIM Motorcycle Grand Prix races in 1992, but concerns over rider safety prompted a switch back to Le Mans.

Driver reaction to the layout has been mixed; some like it, others - notably Gerhard Berger - detest the place. All, however, agree that it presents a challenge and even offers at least one genuine overtaking spot.


Text source: http://www.etracksonline.co.uk/




*Note: Nico Rosberg changed his engine before qualifying and will recieve a 10 place penalty added to his grid position

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

1. Schumi
2. Massa
3. Alsonso

2nd Tier - Ralf
3rd Tier - Albers

Pits - 2
Fast - Mike
Many - Ferrari

Cran said...

1- Schumacher
2- Alonzo
3- Kimi

2nd - Trulli
3rd - Speed

Pits - 2
FL - Schumacher
Team - Ferrari

Anonymous said...

When Honda isn't 4th in the constructors then you will be right... until then they are a top 4 team. You can't be picking the top 3 from 6 drivers.

cgs4706 said...

Sorry guys, I got really drunk last night. I promise i made these before i watched the race

1) Michael
2) Alonso
3) Massa

T2) Trulli
T3) Speed

PS) 3
Man) Ferrari
FL) Micheal

cgs4706 said...

Tex,

Did Tim have some pics made up before he watched it for this week? I mean it's not like we're competeing for a million bucks, plus this isn't the first time this has heppened and we usually just let people make their picks, i think we're all honest here. Besides I don't neccessarily wanna jump up a bunch in the points under crappy circumstances