Race Tours - Angouleme where to watch

Spectating on the Circuit des Remparts is as easy as it is spectacular. Read on for a breakdown of all the twists and turns.

Start / Finish Straight, Turn 1 , Turn 2, Turn 3 , The Main Straight, Hairpin 1, Hairpin 2, Hairpin 3

Start / Finish Straight

a porsche within touching distance on the start/finish straight!

Viewing of the Start Straight is effectively restricted to the infield section at the top of the remparts. Fans line the side of the road, restrained by the catch fencing but still only a matter of inches from the action as the race cars scream by, exhaust notes reverberating of the cathedral and stone apartments. At the end of the straight can be found a grandstand that has an aspect across the daunting turn 1 and the paddock beyond.

Turn 1

drifting through the blind Turn 1

The first obstacle of the challenging 'circuit des remparts' is a blind left hander that plunges the drivers into the shadows of the buildings that front the circuit. Barriers to the outside and a 3-inch curb to the inside leave little margin for error. The grandstand mentioned in the previous section allows for an elevated view of the entry to the corner and the spectacle of thousands of pounds worth of machinery drifting towards the tyre wall! Back on the outfield there is a spectator area at the inside of turn 1 that stretches down the short straight alongside the paddock. Watch the cars exit the turn and enter this desperately narrow section of circuit. Spectators and drivers alike are hemmed in and it is almost inconceivable that a race can take place here. One has the choice of standing or taking to the grandstands but either benefit from the shade of the trees that form a canopy above.

Turn 2

a distant view of Turn 2 from the grandstand to the inside of Turn 1

This corner is not readily accessed by the spectator thanks largely to the fact that the track itself marks the edge of the viewing enclosure. Where the circuit pitches right the road continues straight on and the organisers have taken the unsurprising decision to board up the temporary catch fencing to stop the general public from receiving a free show. However, from the paddock grandstand it is just possible to catch a glimpse of the cars braking and turning right before they disappear behind the buildings to begin their descent down the remparts. Alternatively, it is possible to get a better view from the pedestrian bridge but it won’t be long before you get moved on by the well organised officials.

Turn 3

an Alfa Romeo Guillia gets to grips with the undulations of Turn 2

The technically demanding Turn 3 is one of the most spectacular points of the circuit. It may be found by walking east along the top of the remparts until you only a matter of yards from the apex of the corner. The cars burst into view from behind the adjacent buildings, braking hard during the downhill approach. With tyres squealing the cars are thrown to the right as the drivers negotiate the camber assisted turn in. The race track is extremely narrow here but you may still see the bravest of drivers try to stick one down the inside though the deceleration zone! Pan to the right to see the cars dropping out of sight as they arc around the foot of the remaprts.

The Main Straight

the run down the main straight...

Walking in a westerly direction from the apex of Turn 3 you will find yourself at the corners exit and the head of the main straight. By now the drivers are some way below, off camber and in danger off drifting into the guard rail as they power onto the straight. Continuing west you have the choice of taking one of the steep paths down the remparts toward the straight or staying up high (with the Start / Finish straight behind you) for a panoramic view of a large portion of the circuit. Up here there are a number of temporary food and drink stalls to keep you refreshed as the racing thunders on. As you meander further along the remparts, the three hairpin bends that signal the end of the lap loom into view.

...and on towards the switchbacks of the remparts

Hairpin 1

1st lap carnage through Hairpin 1!

Access to this corner is via the outfield only and getting there will require a walk someway above the circuit along Rempart du Midi, down through the walled gardens onto Avenue du President Wilson and finally down the temporary steps linking the final hairpin to the first. Due to its relative inaccessibility the crowds are fairly low down here but the drama certainly isn’t! The right-handed turn provides the circuit with its most genuine overtaking spot, coming as it does after the main straight. There is a temporary grandstand and plenty of standing room, both of which offer a splendid elevated view of the action that unfolds only a few feet away.

Hairpin 2

panoramic view from the middle hairpin grandstand

The steep climb up the remparts is broken by the second of the hairpin bends. It’s even tighter than the first, some of the vintage cars having really trouble in making the turn at all! It is perhaps the most photographed part of the circuit, with excited fans spilling over the remparts, the cathedral high above and the back of the circuit well below. Spectator access is via the infield area. A path along the foot of the remparts eventually finds it’s way back up to the second hairpin. Here may be found a temporary grandstand as well as limited standing room. Alternatively one may take their chances scrambling along the grassy part of the remparts to get a satisfactory aspect over this wonderful section of racetrack.

Hairpin 3

early morning mist over the final turn

The final corner of the Circuit des Remparts is an open right-handed hairpin that lies somewhat paradoxically under the serenity of the Cathedral St Pierre. The wide exit lends itself to opening up the throttle and getting things decidedly sideways, something many a driver will do intentionally or otherwise!