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Circuit de Charade

Circuit de Charade
Rond point de Manson
63122 Saint-Genes-Champanelle
Tél: +44 (0) 4 73 295 295
Web: http://www.charade.fr

The Charade Circuit (also known as Circuit Louis Rosier and Circuit Clermont-Ferrand) is a motorsport road course in the Auvergne mountains in France near Clermont-Ferrand, the home of Michelin and Patrick Depailler. Opened in 1958, the circuit was built around the sides of an extinct volcano, the originally 8.055 km (5.005-mi) long Charade described as an even twistier and faster version of the Nürburgring. Some drivers like Jochen Rindt in the 1969 French Grand Prix complained of motion sickness and wore open face helmets, just in case. A 3.975 km (2.4-mi) abbreviated version of the circuit is still in operation (still an awesome track), hosting races like Formula Three. There is around 60 metres of elevation change around the circuit!

Charade History
The first draft proposal appeared in 1908, for a circuit around the Puy de Dome. It is not known why this was overturned. After World War II, President of Athletic Association of the Automobile Club d'Auvergne (ASAC) Jean Auchatraire and Louis Rosier (4 times world champion) revived the debate around a racing track in Clermont-Ferrand. A plot of 4 to 6 km, meeting the safety standards and providing extensive parking facilities is retained on the outskirts of the city.

But the disaster of June 11, 1955 at Le Mans that left 135 dead put everything into question. Yet at the same time, the idea of a mountain circuit, only one of its kind in France, appears and seems interesting for national bodies and government.

In the days leading up to May 1957, the date of commencement of work, ASAC and its chairman, Louis Rosier and Raymond Roche (Head of the circuit of Reims and friend of John Auchatraire) were constantly prospecting, to solicit and collect all approvals and financial assistance necessary for the advent of the circuit.

On Sunday, July 27, 1958, Madame Perony, the wife of the prefect of the Puy de Dome cut the ribbon held by the wives of Behra and Trintignant. They are surrounded by local personalities; many great champions were to provide exciting racing in the days to come...

What they think
"I know of no better circuit than Charade." Stirling Moss
"With the circuit of Auvergne, we finally in France, a flight school style Nurburgring." Maurice Trintignant
"At both extremes, I place Spa as the Kingdom of speed and the Nurburgring the Kingdom of corners. Between the two, I now place the circuit of Auvergne." Olivier Gendebien

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