Rouen-Les-Essarts
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| Location | Grand-Couronne and Orival communes, near Rouen, France |
|---|---|
| Time zone | GMT +1 (DST: +2) |
| Major events |
French Grand Prix Formula 2, French Touring Car Championship |
| Final configuration (1974-1994) | |
| Surface | Asphalt, cobblestones |
| Length | 5.543 km (3.444 mi) |
| Turns | 13 |
| Second configuration (1955-1970) | |
| Surface | Asphalt, cobblestones |
| Length | 6.542 km (4.065 mi) |
| Turns | 12 |
| Lap record | 2:11.4 ( Jack Brabham, Brabham-Climax, 1964, Formula One) |
| Original configuration (1951-1954) | |
| Surface | Asphalt, cobblestones |
| Length | 5.100 km (3.169 mi) |
| Turns | 10 |
Coordinates: 49°19′50.3″N 1°0′16.5″E / 49.330639°N 1.004583°E
Rouen-Les-Essarts was a 6.542 km (4.065 mi) motor racing circuit in Grand-Couronne and Orival, near Rouen, France.
From its opening in 1950, Rouen-Les-Essarts was recognized as one of Europe's finest circuits, with modern pits, a wide track, and spectator grandstands. The circuit (which ran on public roads) had a few medium straights, a cobbled hairpin turn (Nouveau Monde) at the southernmost tip, and a few blind corners through a wooded hillside The appeal was greatly enhanced by the climb from Nouveau Monde at 56 metres to Gresil at 149 metres.
Rouen hosted five Formula One French Grand Prix races, the last one in 1968 resulting in the tragic burning death of Jo Schlesser, at the fast downhill Six Frères curve. The circuit continued to host major Formula 2 events until 1978, after which it was used for various French Championships.
The circuit had a number of different configurations. From its construction in 1950 until 1954 it was 5.1 km (3.2 mi) in length. In 1955 major works increased the circuit's length to 6.542 km (4.065 mi), its most famous configuration. Construction of a new Autoroute across the circuit saw a new section of track built and the length of the circuit reduced to 5.543 km (3.444 mi). Finally, in 1974 a permanent chicane was built at Six Frères and this part of the circuit was renamed Des Roches.
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