MagnyCours
Schedule
Magny-Cours Circuit – 2.391 miles
Testing – 270R, 310R, 420R – Friday 24th October – Time – TBC
Testing – 270R, 310R, 420R – Friday 24th October – Time – TBC
Qualifying – 270R, 310R, 420R – Saturday 25th October – Time – TBC
Race 1 – 270R, 310R, 420R – Saturday 25th October – Time – TBC
Race 2 – 270R, 310R, 420R – Sunday 26th October – Time – TBC
Race 3 – 270R, 310R, 420R – Sunday 26th October – Time – TBC
Circuit times are subject to change without notice
ACCOMMODATION
There are loads of places to stay around Magny-Cours. Have a look at the following Trip Advisor Link
Timetable
TIMETABLE TO BE CONFIRMED CLOSER TO THE EVENT
CIRCUIT INFORMATION
1959, A PROJECT ON THE TABLE: AN AUTOMOTIVE CIRCUIT
It has already been a few years since Jean Bernigaud, then a young mayor of Magny-Cours since 1957, had the idea of building a speed car circuit in his town. One of the events which is at the origin of this idea is the Grand Prix of the ACF (Automobile Club de France) which took place on July 4, 1954 in Reims.
Coming as a spectator, Jean Bernigaud discovered that it was possible to use the roads to create a speed circuit. A big fan of speed and thrilling sports, he decided to take action at home in Magny-Cours.
Photo: Jean Bernigaud (left) and Charles Ardoin, his partner (right)
However, on looking more closely, he realizes that the regulations imposed are draconian, the development very expensive and that, moreover, the authorities are not certain of guaranteeing him authorization in the long term. This failure does not stop him, he finds another idea: he must create a speed track. The place seems ready, he has the necessary space on his estate in Bardonnay, at a place called “Les Gaillères”.
This project is based on three objectives:
- he would like to create a “Motor Stadium” open to the practice of all motor sports, whether cars, motorcycles or motocross, including karting,
- he would also like this site to be open permanently and to be able to offer as many activities as possible,
- and finally it would give this site an educational vocation.
1960, THE KARTING CIRCUIT INAUGURATED
The craze for Karting, which came from the United States, seems to be growing in France. In Nevers, the first club was created, it was called the Karting Club Nivernais.
The training sessions of this club attract people, Jean Bernigaud and Charles Ardoin, partners, understand that the “Motor Stadium” project must begin with a Karting track.
The 510 meter long, 6 meter wide track which has 7 turns is built straight away. on August 7, 1960, the Jean Behra Motor Stadium (named after the French pilot who died on August 1, 1959) was inaugurated by organizing the 2 hours of Magny-Cours. 24 karts, 48 drivers, 8 clubs and 2 spectators are present.
1961, THE CAR-MOTO CIRCUIT COMPLETED
The Motor Stadium is developing, in addition to the Karting track, Jean Bernigaud decides to build a 2 meter car-motorcycle track, a 000 meter motocross track, grandstands, security installations and parkings.
The motocross track will be inaugurated on March 12, 1961. On this occasion a race is organized and 5 spectators will be present that day at the Motor Stadium.
1965-1971, THE YEARS OF IMPROVEMENT
On November 19, 1965, at the end of the Volant Shell, Jean Bernigaud decided to bring together the personalities present for the event in order to explain to them his project to expand the circuit. This is the start of six years of major work.
In April 1966, construction of the road bridge was completed. This bridge will allow vehicles to access the heart of the circuit without crossing the track. It was built in a record time of 8 days by the Stévenot-Routier company.
At the end of April 1967, work continued, construction of a new tower and the new Winfield school building began.
At the beginning of 1968, work on the school was completed, the embankment of the 5th turn was bulldozed and a grandstand was installed there.
The year 1969 marked a period of great progress in the work: the track widened (from 7 to 9 meters) and 5 stands were built. Painters are finishing the final touches on the building.
The expansion project is taking shape on the right of the circuit, a new dirt track will be added to the old track. These are the bases of the new automobile circuit.
In 1971, the new Magny-Cours circuit was completed. It now has a total length of 3 meters and a constant useful width of 850 meters, allowing it to accommodate races of 9 cars or 30 motorcycles.
This new circuit will be inaugurated on May 2, 1971 during the 11th Automobile Speed Circuit.
CONSTANT EVOLUTION OF THE AUTOMOTIVE CIRCUIT
The Magny-Cours automobile circuit continued to evolve, in March 1979 the tarmac paddock was created.
In 1980, new modifications were made to the track: a turn was added at the current “Grande Courbe”.
In March 1984, the new giant car park was built in the meadow under the circuit.
Still in March, but in 1985, work on the automobile circuit continued as new offices were created as well as a press room above the stands.
1986, CHANGE OF HANDS
In 1986, the General Council of Nièvre bought the circuit from the Bernigaud family with the plan to build an F1 track there. The Jean Behra circuit will finally be demolished in 1988 to make way for the new Nevers Magny-Cours automobile circuit.
1989, THE BEGINNINGS OF THE FORMULA 1 ERA
In 1989, the circuit, now approved to host the Formula 1 French Grand Prix, was inaugurated on April 29. A page turns and a new story begins.
The first French F1 Grand Prix on the Nevers Magny-Cours racing circuit took place on July 7, 1991.
During the 90s, numerous developments were carried out, mainly on security aspects or reception structures reserved for the public.
In 1992, the “Esse” curve was removed just after the “Adelaïde” hairpin for sporting and safety reasons relating to F1.
In 1994, the new karting track was created, then it was not until 2000 that the “Club” track was created.
The Grand Prix track was once again modified in 2003 at the “Château d’Eau” and “Lycée” turns, making the route less dangerous and more conducive to overtaking. The “Club” track building was also constructed.