AN ABANDONED F1 monitor has been frozen in time virtually six a long time on from its final race.
And the proof of its existence nonetheless hangs over the grandstands in a spooky nod to a bygone period.
Outdated sponsorships and hoardings are nonetheless up on the buildingsCredit score: Alamy
The much-loved circuit was as soon as a fan favoriteCredit score: Getty
The lengthy street and former pit constructing has since been partially restoredCredit score: Alamy
The circuit was utilized in F1 from 1950 to 1966Credit score: Getty
The pale and torn sponsorship indicators have remained painted alongside the general public street for the reason that final GP was held there in 1966.
Jack Brabham gained the 1966 race – in a automobile created by himself and bearing his identify ‘Brabham-Repco’ – throughout his dominant interval in F1.
However regardless of the recognition of the monitor, F1 bosses determined to relocate the French GP the next yr because of excessive prices.
The monitor in query is…the Reims-Gueux circuit within the Champagne area of France.
The circuit was 7.8 km in size and made up of secondary roads and a piece of the N 31.
Whereas its lengthy straights had been shorter than Le Mans’ well-known Mulsanne, it turned a daily venue for prime velocity slip streaming battles.
After 1966, the monitor was used for nationwide races till 1972 when the native mayor ordered the demolition of the buildings to start out.
A lot of the circuit returned to public roads and the previous pit-buildings slowly began to crumble.
However a decade later, a gaggle of fanatics restored the buildings straight across the begin line.
The largely deserted venue has since been utilized in photoshoots and will be pushed previous and loved at the moment.
Since 2002 the muse “Amis du Circuit de Gueux” (Associates of the Reims-Gueux Circuit) has labored on restoring the buildings and obtained a assure that nothing can be demolished sooner or later.
This shot from the 1960 German GP exhibits how a lot F1 has modifiedCredit score: Getty
The sponsor indicators are nonetheless painted alongside the rusting partitionsCredit score: Alamy
The legendary venue has since been partially restoredCredit score: Getty