Circuit de Charade
The old, 8.055 km version of the track
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| Location | Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne, France |
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| Time zone | GMT +1 |
| Coordinates | 45°44′50″N 3°02′20″E / 45.74722°N 3.03889°ECoordinates: 45°44′50″N 3°02′20″E / 45.74722°N 3.03889°E |
| Major events | French Grand Prix (1965, 1969-1970, 1972) |
| Modern Circuit | |
| Length | 3.975 km (2.470 mi) |
| Turns | 18 |
| Old Circuit | |
| Length | 8.055 km (5.005 mi) |
| Turns | 48 |
| Lap record | 2:53.4, 166.751 km/h ( Chris Amon, Matra, 1972, Formula 1) |
The Circuit de Charade (also known as Circuit Louis Rosier and Circuit Clermont-Ferrand) is a motorsport race track in the Auvergne mountains in France near Clermont-Ferrand, the home of Michelin and Patrick Depailler.
Built in 1958 around the sides of an extinct volcano, the originally 8.055 km (5.005-mi) long Charade was 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. But 1970 was no better- Rindt was hit in the face by a rock, something that the circuit was usually littered with, and often caused punctures on the track.
The French Grand Prix motorcycle racing events were held at Charade from 1959 to 1967, and 1972 to 1974.
In his 1969 book Motor Cycle Racing, Peter Carrick wrote:
"The French Grand Prix circuit at Clermont Ferrand was seen to be in complete contrast to the lap at Monza, when it was first used in 1959: the longest straight was 650 yards and a variety of really tight corners quickly demonstrated—or exposed—a rider's skill!"
In 1964, the VI Trophée d'Auvergne Formula 2 race podium was a sign of things to come: Denny Hulme, Jackie Stewart and Jochen Rindt showed their skill before the track hosted the 1965 French Grand Prix.
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Wikipedia