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Ain Diab
In 1925 the first ever Grand Prix of
Morocco, a French colony at that time, for sportscars was held in
Casablanca at a 709,5 km (440.883 Miles) long street circuit! Until
1934 eight Grand Prix races where held in Morocco, four at the
Casablanca circuit and four at the Anfa circuit which had a more
usual length of 3,219 km (2 Miles). After World War two, three
sportscar races have been held in Agadir.
In 1956 Morocco became an independent
state. With the financial support of King Mohammed V they realised in six weeks
time a new street circuit in Ain Diab, a suburb of Casablanca. In 1957 the first
Formula 1 Grand Prix of the independent state of Morocco was held here, but the
race was not counting for the World Championship.
The 7,618 km (4.734 Miles) long
circuit of Ain Diab was twisty but fast. Part of the circuit where the boulevard
and the main road from Casablanca to Azemmour.
A year
later the race was counting for the Formula 1 World Championship. It was the
final race of the season and the Championship decider! Mike Hawthorn had enough
to a second place to beat race winner Sterling Moss for the Championship. But
the race was also overshadowed by a tragedy. Vanwall driver Stuart Lewis-Evans
crashed at high speed and his car burst into flames. He died six days later in a
hospital in England.
After the dramatic Grand Prix in 1958 Formula 1 did not return
to Morocco and the street circuit was never used for races anymore. However, the
roads which formed the circuit are still in use as public road and
the course is still in tact.
Discuss this circuit at the forum.
© Text: Herman Liesemeijer Pictures: George Standaar |
