www.boxertrix.com

Spent last weekend (8/9 September) over in the Eiffel Mountains including a couple of laps on the ring with my Dad on his GS - while it was dry on Saturday evening, and before it was shut after a 5 car pile-up. It was heaving - seems 90% of the cars and bike were all British. Shame it was so wet Sunday as I was hoping to do a few more laps.

Loved every minute of it and will be back next year for sure! I'm hooked.

I have to say, that after all the fear-mongering that goes on, the track seemed really quiet despite the car-park overflowing and queues of people waiting to go on after a week of it being shut for a private event.

I'm sure if you ride/drive within your limitations and keep your wits about you and don't get cocky, you can guarantee a whale of a time.

nice pics...
i was there at the august bank holiday weekend.
its a great track, but with all cars and buses etc....on it its very crazy.
i will want to go back next year too, but maybe only to a bike only session....

check out this website...you might find some pics of you guys on there....
http://www.bridgetogantry.com/gallery2/main.php

anyway, glad you fun and got back safely.

Lars

Stoney, glad you got back OK and sorry to hear you only got a couple of laps in.

We arrived at the carpark late Sunday and while the track was fully dry, there were constant closures and as you say, the place was heaving. Our confidence was not boosted by the constant stream of mangled cars being removed from the circuit . Thankfully no bikes though

As we were virgins, had been on our bikes most of the day, were cold, track was busy etc, etc we decided to hang fire and wait till Monday, when the track was open from 1.00pm till 7.30pm.

Monday dawned cloudy but dry. With a few hours to kill we went for a look around various parts of the circuit, sorry, public toll road which only stretched the nerves even further. While Granturismo 4 can show you which way the track goes, what it does not tell you is massive slopes involved, usually just before or during the corners!!

Anyway, after watching a few cars and bikes go around Brunchen (let the loonies go first) we finally plucked up the courage to do a lap. Straight into the ticket office, "Four laps please", helmets on and joint the queue.

What an absolute hoot . Got back to the carpark 8.5 minutes latter (only kidding ), having only been overtaken by about 5 cars (3 porches, 1 M3 and Seat Leon ) and a Gixxer (mad bastard) during the whole lap. Helmet off, 10 minutes later its bloody raining. While not constant, the track never dried out enough to risk going out again.

Loads of bikes turned up and never even got a run. A few brave/foolish soles (delete as approriate) did go out but I can't believe it was an enjoyable experience. Certainly not worth the risk as the mad b*stards in cars continued to go round at unabated pace, although ever half hour or so a recover truck would come back in with someones pride and joy on the back and a big bill for Armco repairs.

I did manage to get a lap as a passenger with a British chap in a 309 Gti, which was great fun and is a really great way to see the circuit. It really is one big rollercoaster.

Got to feel for an Aussie and his wife we got chatting too in the cafe. He'd travelled over from Italy and had hired a race prepped M3 for the day, at a cost of 1000euro. He got to do three dry laps and 1 wet lap, afterwhich he decided the excess was not worth the risk. He left with 4 laps still on his ticket.

All-in-all, very disapponting not to get more laps but there is something about the place that just makes you want, no, need to go back. However, we did get to ride on some very noce French and German roads, did a couple of laps of the old Reims Grand Prix circuit and did a lap of the Ring and brought the bike back in one piece. Forget trying to beat Clarkson's 10 minutes and just enjoy probably the best 13 miles of tarmac you will ever get to ride.

We did about 1100 miles in total and did 1 lap of the Ring. Would I do it all again? You betcha.

Nu2beemers wrote:...the old Reims Grand Prix circuit...

...as if you could hear the old cars still come by...

...and for the few who don't know how it looks ; it looks like this these days...



























...somehow a great place to visit...

RoLoo wrote:

Nu2beemers wrote:...the old Reims Grand Prix circuit...

...as if you could hear the old cars still come by...

...and for the few who don't know how it looks ; it looks like this these days...quote]

Not quite... these taken last week. Please forgive the obligatory bikes in the foreground







Actually, I think I prefered it when it was in its run down state, like the grandstands still are, but they, the Friends of the Circuit want to bring it back to its former glory. You have to admire the French for leaving the buildings standing exactly as they were. In the UK they would have high fencing around them with big signs saying 'Keep Out - Danger of Injury' or worse still, have been demolished. The French have a slightly more realistic attitude to Heath & Safety. If you hurt yourself in this old building, it's your own fault.

Timing or our trip was a bit of a bugger really as in a weeks time (22nd & 23rd Sept) they are having a big celebration weekend, with loads of old bikes and cars driving round the closed road circuit, including Jean Alesi driving Fangio's Mercedes.

Not sure I could persuade SWMBO that I need to go back to France quite so soon.

As you say Ron, a nice place to visit.





[/img]

Nu2beemers wrote:
...these taken last week. Please forgive the obligatory bikes in the foreground...

...actually, I think I prefered it when it was in its run down state...

...geez...; they simply painted away their own history...
...pity...

...I was there in August 2005...
...on my way to my old folks, who live in North-West Spain, just above Portugal...
...and yes, I know, Reims is 'a bit' off course, but I wanted to see these old buildings, and feel & smell its history...

Hi guys.../
Where abouts is the reims old circuit and can you ride round it....i never knew it was still there and now i do i want to see it for my own eyes...anybody know of any other motor racing history thats worth a look at...would be very greatfull if you know of any and pass it on..cheers Andy

quicksilver wrote:...where abouts is the reims old circuit and can you ride round it...

...just outside Reims, North-East France, roughly between Luxemburg and Paris...

...the sound...

...an impression

...this once was...



...and a 'few' circuits (also some long forgotten ones)

Quicksilver

The old Reims circuit is about 2 miles due West of Reims.

the track is effectively triangular in shape and one of the three track sides is now the N31, with the start/finish straight being the D27 between Thillios and Geux. At the round about just before Geux turn right and then keep following the road round to the right, over the brow of the hill until you meet the N31 again. Quick blast down there and take the first right at the next island back onto the start/finish straight. I have to confess that went past the theoretical chequed flag at 130mph.

Well worth a visit if you in the area.

Greg

Last bike my old man rode was a brand new 500H1A Kawasaki that i bought in the early seventies,i'd pay good money to be able to ride to Germany with him,i can tell you.

Nu2beemers wrote:...one of the three track sides is now the N31...

...it always was...

...you can see it a few times in the black & white video...
...a concrete 31 sign on the left side of the road...