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Chimay
In 1926 a race event was organized
near the Belgian city Chimay. It was an initiative of local race
enthusiast Jules Buisseret. Because the location was close to the
French border the name of the event was "Grand Prix des Frontières"
(Grand Prix of the Borders). It was a combined event with car races
and motorcycle races at a circuit formed by public roads with a
section trough the city of Chimay. The success of the Grand Prix des Frontières
made that this would become an annual event. And as the circuit
became known by more people, more race series came to Chimay.
Click on the map for a lap around
the circuit.
The 10,870 km (6.8 Miles) long
street circuit was very fast with mostly quick corners and
elevations, just like the old
Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Before
the start of the 1984 season, some parts of the circuit where
reconstructed. A new connection was built to cut off the section
trough Chimay. This new connection was also the new start/finish
area with a brand new pit complex. To make some fast sections more
safe, three new chicanes where constructed. After this
reconstruction the length was reduced to 9,7 km (6 Miles).
When in 1992 Belgian Procar driver
Guy Nève, the younger brother of ex Formula one driver Patrick Nève,
was killed after a crash at the fast corner “Virage Spikins” the
track was found to dangerous for car racing. From than only
motorcycle races where held at the circuit.
In
1996 it was all over for the old track when a new 4,520 km (2.8
Miles) short version of the circuit was opened to bring back car
races to Chimay. Short after the
start/finish line a new connection was built, who cuts off three
quarter of the former track! This new connection is nothing more
than a straight with two chicanes. At the end of the new section you
enter the old part of the circuit. But in this new version only two
kilometres from the original eleven kilometres are used. The used
part of the original track includes also two double "bust stop
style" chicanes who where introduced in 1984! However, the new
circuit can't compare to the old one. At the old circuit where only
a few slow corners, most where very quick. But at the new circuit
you can't find any fast corner, it's stop and go all the time.
The
last national races at Chimay where held in 2005. What should become
the 80th anniversary party in the year 2006 became a big
disappointment. After an eleven hours during inspection by the Royal
Automobile Club of Belgium, the new track was found inferior for
races with modern cars! Fortunately the organizers could keep the
track suitable for classic events. In 2008 there even was a classic
motorcycle race at the old track! The aim was to repeat that a year
later, but because some safety incidents in the past year politics
banned racing at the old track. This decision means the definite end
oft the old race track. However, if you want you can make a
nostalgic tour at this former street circuit. All the roads are
still there in original shape. Except at one point where they
constructed a roundabout!
Click here for a
photo tour around the circuit.
Click here for more pictures from Chimay.
Discuss this circuit at the
forum.
Once upon a time there was a control tower!
© Text and pictures: Herman Liesemeijer |
