Circuit Paul Armagnac

Last updated

Circuit Paul Armagnac
Circuit Paul Armagnac Nogaro.svg
Location Nogaro, Gers, France
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
CEST (DST)
Coordinates 43°46′5″N0°2′17″W / 43.76806°N 0.03806°W / 43.76806; -0.03806
FIA Grade 2
Opened3 October 1960;64 years ago (1960-10-03)
Major eventsCurrent:
Coupes de Pâques de Nogaro
(1968–present)
FFSA GT (1997–2011, 2014, 2016–present)
Alpine Elf Europa Cup (2019–present)
Former:
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
French motorcycle Grand Prix (1978, 1982)
European Truck Racing Championship (1994–2016)
Blancpain Sprint Series (2013–2015)
NASCAR Whelen Euro Series (2009–2013)
FIA GT (2007–2008)
FIA Sportscar Championship (2003)
BPR GT (1995–1996)
F3000 (1990–1993)
ETCC (1985–1988)
Formula 750 (1976, 1979)
Sidecar World Championship (1978)
Website http://www.circuit-nogaro.com/
Grand Prix Circuit (1989–present) [a]
Length3.636 km (2.259 miles)
Turns14
Race lap record1:20.160 ( Flag of Italy.svg Alessandro Zanardi, Reynard 91D, 1991, F3000)
Grand Prix Circuit (1973–1988)
Length3.120 km (1.939 miles)
Turns11
Race lap record1:11.860 ( Flag of Argentina.svg Ricardo Zunino, Arrows A1, 1979, F1)
Original Circuit (1960–1973)
Length1.752 km (1.089 miles)
Turns9
Race lap record0:51.700 ( Flag of France.svg Christian Ethuin, Martini MK12, 1973, F3)

Circuit Paul Armagnac, also known as Circuit de Nogaro, is a motorsport race track located in the commune of Nogaro in the Gers department in southwestern France. The track is named in honor of Nogaro-born racing driver Paul Armagnac, who died in an accident during practice for the 1962 1000 km de Paris at the Montlhéry circuit. [1]

Contents

History

Motorsports racing events in Nogaro were first organized when racing driver Paul Armagnac and Robert Castagnon created the Association Sportive Automobile de l'Armagnac. In 1953, the Rallye de l'Armagnac was held on a street circuit using public roads around Nogaro. Public safety concerns after the 1955 Le Mans disaster caused the number of road racing events on public roads in Europe to decrease. Plans were made to create a permanent race circuit and construction began in 1959 at a site near the Nogaro airport.[ citation needed ]

The race circuit opened on 3 October 1960 as the first purpose-built race circuit in France. [2] [3] [4] The first race held at the new circuit was the Nogaro Grand Prix for Formula Junior cars, won by Bruno Basini. [2] Initially 1.752 km (1.089 mi) long, it was expanded in 1973 and 1989 to its current 3.636 km (2.259 mi) length. In 2007 the circuit was modernized including a new control tower, a new pitlane and widening the track to 12 m (39 ft).[ citation needed ]

The venue hosted Formula Two championship races from 1975 to 1978. It also hosted the French motorcycle Grand Prix in 1978 and 1982. The Nogaro circuit also hosted the European Touring Car Championship from 1985 to 1988.[ citation needed ]

Track description

The track is relatively flat, with 6 m (20 ft) difference in elevation between its highest and lowest points. It is raced clockwise and consists of two long straights, the 0.950 km (0.590 mi) long start-finish straight named after Nogaro-born motorcycle constructor Claude Fior and the almost parallel aerodrome straight, linked by sections of several slow corners. The aerodrome straight passes alongside the neighbouring Nogaro Aerodrome.

Events

Current
Former

Lap records

Current Grand Prix circuit with the original start-finish line (1989-2007) Circuit Paul Armagnac Sur.svg
Current Grand Prix circuit with the original start-finish line (1989–2007)

The official lap record for the current Grand Prix circuit layout is 1:20.160, set by Alessandro Zanardi during the 1991 Nogaro F3000 round, while the unofficial all-time track record is 1:17.342, set by Franck Lagorce in the qualifying of 1993 Nogaro F3000 round. [3] [6] As of June 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Circuit Paul Armagnac are listed as:

CategoryTimeDriverVehicleEvent
Grand Prix Circuit (1989–present): 3.636 km [a] [2]
Formula 3000 1:20.160 [7] Alessandro Zanardi Reynard 91D 1991 Nogaro F3000 round
Formula Three 1:22.226 [8] Romain Grosjean Dallara F305 2007 Nogaro F3 Euro Series round
LMP900 1:23.906 [9] Beppe Gabbiani Dome S101 2003 Nogaro FIA Sportscar Championship round
LMP3 1:24.218 [10] Nelson Panciatici [11] Ligier JS P3 2016 Nogaro FFSA GTP round
Formula Renault 2.0 1:24.437 [12] Arthur Pic Tatuus FR2000 2009 Nogaro Formula Renault 2.0 West European Cup round
GT1 (GTS) 1:25.326 [13] Gregory Franchi Saleen S7-R 2008 FIA GT Nogaro 2 Hours
Formula 4 1:25.929 [14] Yani Stevenheydens Mygale M21-F4 2024 Nogaro French F4 round
Superbike 1:26.357 [15] Kenny Foray BMW M1000RR 2024 Nogaro French Superbike round
GT3 1:26.982 [16] Stéphane Ortelli Audi R8 LMS ultra 2015 Nogaro Blancpain GT Sprint Series round
Porsche Carrera Cup 1:27.807 [17] Louis Perrot Porsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup 2024 Nogaro Porsche Sprint Challenge France round
GT2 1:28.030 [13] Andrew Kirkaldy Ferrari F430 GT2 2008 FIA GT Nogaro 2 Hours
LMP675 1:28.039 [9] Mirko Savoldi Lucchini SR2002 2003 Nogaro FIA Sportscar Championship round
Supersport 1:28.189 [18] Corentin Perolari  [ de ] Honda CBR600RR 2024 Nogaro French Supersport round
GT1 1:28.218 [19] Jean-Marc Gounon Ferrari F40 GTE 1996 4 Hours of Nogaro
FIA-Group 2 1:29.379 [13] Tomáš Enge Aston Martin Vantage GT2 2008 FIA GT Nogaro 2 Hours
Formula Renault 1.6 1:30.368 [20] Lasse Sørensen Signatech FR 1.6 2014 Nogaro French F4 round
GT4 1:30.736 [21] Loris Cabirou Ginetta G56 GT4 Evo 2024 Nogaro French GT4 Cup round
GT2 (GTS) 1:31.581 [22] Jean-Pierre Jarier Porsche 911 GT2 1999 Nogaro FFSA GT round
Silhouette racing car 1:31.979 [23] Soheil Ayari Peugeot 406 Coupé Silhouette 2002 Nogaro French Supertouring round
TCR Touring Car 1:32.199 [24] Julien Paget Cupra León Compéticion TCR 2024 Nogaro TC France round
Alpine Elf Europa Cup 1:32.355 [25] Charles Roussanne Alpine A110 Cup 2024 Nogaro Alpine Elf Europa Cup round
Stock car racing 1:34.838 [26] Ander Vilariño Chevrolet Camaro NASCAR 2013 Nogaro NASCAR Whelen Euro Series round
Supersport 300 1:38.005 [27] Livio Mirabel Kawasaki Ninja 400 2024 Nogaro French Supersport 300 round
Renault Clio Cup 1:40.582 [28] Nicolas Milan Renault Clio R.S. IV 2018 Nogaro Renault Clio Cup France round
Grand Prix Circuit (1973–1988): 3.120 km [2]
Formula One 1:11.860 [6] [29] Ricardo Zunino Arrows A1 1979 Nogaro British F1 round
Formula Three 1:12.120 [30] Éric Bernard Ralt RT31 1987 1st Nogaro French F3 round
Formula Two 1:12.390 [31] Bruno Giacomelli March 782 1978 Nogaro F2 round
Formula Renault 2.0 1:21.220 [32] Patrick Gonin Martini MK33 1981 1st Nogaro French Formula Renault round
Group A 1:21.240 [33] Klaus Ludwig Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth 1988 Nogaro ETCC round
500cc 1:22.800 Kenny Roberts Yamaha YZR500 1978 French motorcycle Grand Prix
350cc 1:24.500 Gregg Hansford Kawasaki KR350 1978 French motorcycle Grand Prix
250cc 1:25.000 Jean-François Baldé Kawasaki KR250 1982 French motorcycle Grand Prix
Sidecar (B2A) 1:29.600 Rolf Biland Beo-Yamaha 1978 French motorcycle Grand Prix
125cc 1:30.060 Jean-Claude Selini  [ fr ] Morbidelli 125 GP 1982 French motorcycle Grand Prix
Original Circuit (1960–1973): 1.752 km [2]
Formula Three 0:51.700 [34] Christian Ethuin  [ pl ] Martini MK12 1973 1st Nogaro French F3 round
Formula Renault 2.0 0:59.300 [35] Max Jean Martini MK33 1968 1st Nogaro French Formula Renault round
Formula Junior 1:03.000 [36] Jean Vinatier Lotus 27 1963 Nogaro French Formula Junior round

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 The start-finish line was changed in 2007, however the layout configuration has not been changed since 1989.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Circuit Paul Ricard</span> French race track

The Circuit Paul Ricard is a French motorsport race track built in 1969 at Le Castellet, Var, near Marseille, with finance from pastis magnate Paul Ricard. Ricard wanted to experience the challenge of building a racetrack. The circuit has hosted the FIA Formula One French Grand Prix intermittently from 1971 to 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya</span> Motorsport race track in Spain

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is a 4.657 km (2.894 mi) motorsport race track in Montmeló, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. With long straights and a variety of corners, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is seen as an all-rounder circuit. The track has stands with a capacity of 140,700. The circuit has FIA Grade 1 license.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hungaroring</span> Race track in Mogyoród, Hungary

The Hungaroring is a 4.381 km (2.722 mi) motorsport racetrack in Mogyoród, Pest County, Hungary where the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix is held. In 1986, it became the location of the first Formula One Grand Prix behind the Iron Curtain. Bernie Ecclestone wanted a race in the USSR, but a Hungarian friend recommended Budapest. They wanted a street circuit similar to the Circuit de Monaco to be built in the Népliget – Budapest's largest park – but the government decided to build a new circuit just outside the city near a major highway. Construction works started on 1 October 1985. It was built in eight months, less time than any other Formula One circuit. The first race was held on 24 March 1986, in memory of János Drapál, the first Hungarian who won motorcycle Grand Prix races. According to a survey put together by the national tourism office of Hungary, Mogyoród ranks third among Hungarian destinations visited by tourists, behind the Danube Bend area and Lake Balaton, but ahead of Budapest. The circuit has FIA Grade 1 license.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours</span> Motorsport track in France

Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours is a 4.411 km (2.741 mi) motor racing circuit located in central France, near the towns of Magny-Cours and Nevers, some 250 km (160 mi) from Paris and 240 km (150 mi) from Lyon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brno Circuit</span> Race track

The Masaryk circuit or Masarykring, also referred to as the Brno Circuit, refers to two motorsport race tracks located in Brno, Czech Republic. The original street circuit was made up of public roads, and at its longest measured 29.194 km (18.140 mi). The track is named after the first president of Czechoslovakia, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. In 1949, events such as the Czechoslovakian Grand Prix attracted top teams and drivers. In 1987, the new (current) circuit was opened. The Brno Circuit is historically one of the oldest circuits, on the place were also held the most motorcycle championships in history after the TT Circuit Assen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Circuit Zolder</span> Motorsport track in Belgium

The Circuit Zolder, also known as Circuit Terlamen, is an undulating 4.011 km (2.492 mi) motorsport race track in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Circuito do Estoril</span> Motorsport track in Portugal

The Circuito do Estoril or Autódromo do Estoril, officially known as Autódromo Fernanda Pires da Silva, is a motorsport race track on the Portuguese Riviera, outside of Lisbon, owned by state-run holding management company Parpública. Its length is 4.182 km (2.599 mi). It was the home of the Formula One Portuguese Grand Prix from 1984 to 1996. The circuit has an FIA Grade 1 license.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dijon-Prenois</span> Motor racing circuit in France

Dijon-Prenois is a 3.801 km (2.362 mi) motor racing circuit located in Prenois, near Dijon, France. The undulating track is noted for its fast, sweeping bends.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Circuito del Jarama</span> Motorsport venue in Madrid, Spain

The Circuito de Madrid Jarama - RACE, formerly known as Circuito del Jarama and Circuito Permanente del Jarama is a motorsport racetrack located in San Sebastián de los Reyes, 32 km (20 mi) north of Madrid. It was home to the Spanish Grand Prix nine times between 1968 and 1981, and the Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix 15 times between 1969 and 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anderstorp Raceway</span> Motorsport track in Sweden

Anderstorp Raceway, previously known as Scandinavian Raceway, is a 4.025 km (2.501 mi) motorsport race track in Anderstorp, Sweden and the sole Nordic host of a Formula One World Championship Grand Prix, when the Swedish Grand Prix was held for six years between 1973 and 1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Circuit Ricardo Tormo</span> Race track in Valencia, Spain

Circuit Ricardo Tormo, also known as Circuit de Valencia and officially named Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo, is a 4.005 km (2.489 mi) motorsport race track located in Cheste and built in 1999. The track is named after Spanish, two-time world champion Grand Prix motorcycle racer Ricardo Tormo (1952–1998), who died in 1998 of leukemia. It has a capacity of 165,000 and a main straight of 0.876 km (0.544 mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pau Grand Prix</span> Motor race held in Pau

The Pau Grand Prix is a motor race held in Pau, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of southwestern France. The French Grand Prix was held at Pau in 1930, leading to the annual Pau Grand Prix being inaugurated in 1933. It was not run during World War II and in 2020–2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli</span> Motorsport track in Italy

The Misano World Circuit is a race track located next to the town of Misano Adriatico in the frazione of Santa Monica-Cella. Originally designed in 1969 as a length of 3.488 km (2.167 mi), it hosted its first event in 1972. In 1993, the track length was increased to 4.064 km (2.525 mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Circuit d'Albi</span>

The Circuit d'Albi is a 3.565 km (2.215 mi) motorsport race track located in the French town of Le Sequestre near Albi, about 80 km (50 mi) northeast of Toulouse. Built to replace the nearby Circuit Les Planques public road circuit, Albi has 70 years of history in motor-racing, including the 1951 French motorcycle Grand Prix. It hosted the FFSA GT Championship in 1997, 2002, 2004–2011, and 2020–2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Circuit de Lédenon</span> French racing circuit

Circuit de Lédenon is a 3.151 km (1.958 mi) motor racing circuit located next to the town of Lédenon, Gard, France, about 25 km (16 mi) northeast of Nîmes. It hosts FFSA GT Championship and French F4 Championship.

The 2018 French F4 Championship was the eighth season to run under the guise of the French F4 Championship and the first season under the FIA Formula 4 regulations. The championship used Mygale M14-F4 chassis like in the F4 British Championship and Australian Formula 4 Championship. The engine was upgraded from 1.6 litre to 2.0 litre. The series began on 1 April at Nogaro and ended on 14 October at Le Castellet, after seven rounds and twenty one races.

The 2018 Championnat de France FFSA GT - French GT4 Cup was the twenty-first season of the French FFSA GT Championship and the first as the French GT4 Cup, a sports car championship created and organised by the Stéphane Ratel Organisation (SRO). The season began on 1 April in Nogaro and ended on 14 October at Paul Ricard.

The 2020 French F4 Championship was the tenth season to run under the guise of the French F4 Championship and the third under the FIA Formula 4 regulations. The championship used Mygale M14-F4 chassis. For 2020, the series used a new 1.3-liter turbocharged engine produced by Renault Sport, replacing the previously used 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine. The series began on 21 August at Circuit Paul Armagnac and ended on 22 November at Circuit Paul Ricard.

The 2021 French F4 Championship was the 11th season to run under the guise of the French F4 Championship and the fourth under the FIA Formula 4 regulations. The championship used Mygale M14-F4 chassis. The series began on 3 April at Circuit Paul Armagnac and ended on 24 October at Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours.

References

  1. Foubert, Claude. "Le circuit de Nogaro fête ses 50 ans…". Endurance-Info.com. Laurent Mercier. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Nogaro - Racing Circuits". RacingCircuits.info. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Nogaro - Circuit en Chiffres" . Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  4. "Circuit Automobile Paul Armagnac". Nogaro en Armagnac. Mairie de Nogaro en Armagnac. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  5. "Shell Eco Marathon 2015". Michelin. Archived from the original on 15 June 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  6. 1 2 "Nogaro - Motor Sport Magazine". Motor Sport Magazine . Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  7. "1991 Nogaro Grand Prix". Motorsport Magazine . 6 October 1991. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  8. "2007 Nogaro European F3". Motorsport Magazine . 30 September 2007. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  9. 1 2 "FIA Sportscar Championship Nogaro 2003". 21 September 2003. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  10. "FFSA GTP Championship Nogaro 2016". 28 March 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  11. "Championnat de France Prototypes 2016 standings" . Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  12. "2009 WEC Formula Renault Nogaro (Race 2)". 13 April 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  13. 1 2 3 "FIA GT Championship Nogaro 2008". 5 October 2008. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  14. "Championnat de France FFSA des Circuits - Coupes de Pâques - 28 March 2024 - 01 April 2024 - Championnat de France F4 Race 1 Final Classification" (PDF). 1 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  15. "Championnat de France Superbike - 01&02 Juin 2024 - Nogaro - Superbike - Course 1" (PDF). 2 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  16. "Blancpain Sprint Series Nogaro 2015". 6 April 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  17. "Championnat de France FFSA des Circuits - Coupes de Pâques - 28 March 2024 - 01 April 2024 - Porsche Sprint Challenge France Race 2 Final Classification". 1 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  18. "Championnat de France Superbike - 01&02 Juin 2024 - Nogaro - Supersport 600 - Course 1" (PDF). 2 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  19. "Nogaro 4 Hours 1996". 6 October 1996. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  20. "2014 French Formula 4 Nogaro (Race 1)". 27 September 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  21. "Championnat de France FFSA des Circuits - Coupes de Pâques - 28 March 2024 - 01 April 2024 - Championnat de France FFSA GT Race 2 Final Classification" (PDF). 1 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  22. "1999 French GT Championship Nogaro 24-25 July Race 1: 37 laps". 24 July 1999. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  23. "2002 French Super Touring Championship Round 4: Dijon-Prenois, 30th June Race 1". 30 June 2002. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  24. "Championnat de France FFSA des Circuits - Coupes de Pâques - 28 March 2024 - 01 April 2024 - Championnat de France FFSA TC Race 1 Final Classification" (PDF). 31 March 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  25. "2024 Nogaro Alpine Elf Europa Cup Race 2 Statistics". 1 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  26. "2013 Nogaro 200 Race 1". 31 March 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  27. "Championnat de France Superbike - 01&02 Juin 2024 - Nogaro - Supersport 300 - Course 1" (PDF). 2 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  28. "Championnat de France des Circuits - Coupes de Pâques 29 March 2018 - 2 April 2018 Clio Cup Series Race 1 Final Ranking". 2 April 2018. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  29. "1979 Nogaro Grand Prix". Motorsport Magazine . 8 July 1979. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  30. "1987 Coupe de Pâques". 20 April 1987. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  31. "1978 Nogaro Grand Prix". Motorsport Magazine . 9 July 1978. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  32. "1981 Championnat de France Formule Renault Nogaro". 20 April 1981. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  33. "1988 Nogaro Grand Prix". Motorsport Magazine . 11 September 1988. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  34. "1973 French Formula 3 Coupe des Paques". 23 April 1973. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  35. "1968 Critérium de Formule France Nogaro". 15 April 1968. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  36. "IV Grand Prix de Nogaro Formula Junior". 18 August 1963. Retrieved 15 July 2022.