Track Plans

Charade

The Circuit de Charade, also known as Circuit Louis Rosier and Circuit Clermont-Ferrand, was a 5 mile long, twisting race track built around the base of an extinct volcano near the city of Clermont-Ferrand, in France.

Construction of the circuit began in May 1957 using existing roads, and the first race was held in July 1958.

With a relentless succession of sharp corners and elevation changes, and with few discernible straights, the track drew inevitable comparisons with the Nürburgring. Stirling Moss said "I don't know a more wonderful track than Charade" though his first outing at the track in 1959 was marred by the death of Ivor Bueb. In total four Formula One French Grand Prix were held at Charade, in 1965, 1969, 1970 and 1972, and the circuit was also used in John Frankenheimer's epic film Grand Prix.

As with many other tracks of the era, safety concerns signalled the end of top level motorsports at the track. But in 1989 a new, shorter circuit was opened, which hosted various national & local events, and in 2000 the roads were eventually closed to the public, with the track becoming a truly permanent facility. The original, northern sections of the 8 km track are still in use as public roadways.