Circuit_Nogaro

Circuit Paul Armagnac

Motorsport track in France

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]

Quick Facts Location, Time zone ...

Circuit Paul Armagnac
Grand Prix Circuit (1989–present)^{[lower-alpha 1]}

Location	Nogaro, Gers, France
Time zone	CET (UTC+1) CEST (DST)
Coordinates	43°46′5″N 0°2′17″W
FIA Grade	2
Opened	3 October 1960; 63 years ago (1960-10-03)
Major events	Current: 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/
Length	3.636 km (2.259 miles)
Turns	14
Race lap record	1:20.160 ( Alessandro Zanardi, Reynard 91D, 1991, F3000)
Grand Prix Circuit (1973–1988)
Length	3.120 km (1.939 miles)
Turns	11
Race lap record	1:11.860 ( Ricardo Zunino, Arrows A1, 1979, F1)
Original Circuit (1960–1973)
Length	1.752 km (1.089 miles)
Turns	9
Race lap record	0:51.700 ( Christian Ethuin, Martini MK12, 1973, F3)

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

April: FFSA GT Championship Coupes de Pâques de Nogaro [fr], Alpine Elf Europa Cup, French F4 Championship, Renault Clio Cup France, Renault Clio Cup Spain
June: French Superbike Championship [fr], Grand Prix Camions de Nogaro
September: Fun Cup France, Historic Tour Nogaro

Former

Blancpain Sprint Series (2013–2015)
BPR Global GT Series (1995–1996)
British Formula One Championship (1979)
European Eco-Marathon Competition (2000–2009)^[5]
European Formula Two Championship (1975–1978)
European Touring Car Championship (1985–1988)
European Truck Racing Championship (2000–2016)
F4 Spanish Championship (2017)
FIA European Formula 3 Championship (1982–1984)
FIA GT Championship (2007–2008)
FIA GT1 World Championship (2012)
FIA Sportscar Championship
- 2003 FIA Sportscar Championship Nogaro (2003)
Formula 3 Euro Series (2007)
Formula 750 (1976, 1979)
French Formula Three Championship (1964–1973, 1980–2002)
French Formula Renault Championship (1971–2009)
French Supertouring Championship (1976–2005)
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
- French motorcycle Grand Prix (1978, 1982)
International Formula 3000
- Grand Prix de Nogaro (1990–1993)
NASCAR Whelen Euro Series (2009–2013)
Porsche Carrera Cup France (1991–2011, 2014, 2019, 2022)
Sidecar World Championship (1978)
V de V Series (2011–2012)

Lap records

Current Grand Prix circuit with the original start-finish line (1989–2007)^{[lower-alpha 1]}

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 April 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Circuit Paul Armagnac are listed as:

More information Category, Time ...

Category	Time	Driver	Vehicle	Event
Grand Prix Circuit (1989–present): 3.636 km^{[lower-alpha 1]}^[2]
Formula 3000	1:20.160^[7]	Alessandro Zanardi	Reynard 91D	1991 Nogaro F3000 round
Formula 3	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
GT3	1:26.982^[15]	Stéphane Ortelli	Audi R8 LMS ultra	2015 Nogaro Blancpain GT Sprint Series round
Porsche Carrera Cup	1:27.807^[16]	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
GT1	1:28.218^[17]	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
GT4	1:30.736^[18]	Loris Cabirou	Ginetta G56 GT4 Evo	2024 Nogaro French GT4 Cup round
GT2 (GTS)	1:31.581^[19]	Jean-Pierre Jarier	Porsche 911 GT2	1999 Nogaro FFSA GT round
Silhouette racing car	1:31.979^[20]	Soheil Ayari	Peugeot 406 Coupé Silhouette	2002 Nogaro French Supertouring round
TCR Touring Car	1:32.199^[21]	Julien Paget	Cupra León Compéticion TCR	2024 Nogaro TC France round
Alpine Elf Europa Cup	1:32.355^[22]	Charles Roussanne	Alpine A110 Cup	2024 Nogaro Alpine Elf Europa Cup round
Stock car racing	1:34.838^[23]	Ander Vilariño	Chevrolet Camaro NASCAR	2013 Nogaro NASCAR Whelen Euro Series round
Renault Clio Cup	1:40.582^[24]	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]^[25]	Ricardo Zunino	Arrows A1	1979 Nogaro British F1 round
Formula Three	1:12.120^[26]	Éric Bernard	Ralt RT31	1987 1st Nogaro French F3 round
Formula Two	1:12.390^[27]	Bruno Giacomelli	March 782	1978 Nogaro F2 round
Group A	1:21.240^[28]	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^[29]	Christian Ethuin [pl]	Martini MK12	1973 1st Nogaro French F3 round
Formula Junior	1:03.000^[30]	Jean Vinatier	Lotus 27	1963 Nogaro French Formula Junior round

Notes

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

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]
"Nogaro - Racing Circuits". RacingCircuits.info. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
[3]
"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]
"Nogaro - Motorsport 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]
"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]
"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]
"Blancpain Sprint Series Nogaro 2015". 6 April 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
[16]
"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.
[17]
"Nogaro 4 Hours 1996". 6 October 1996. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
[18]
"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.
[19]
"1999 French GT Championship Nogaro 24-25 July Race 1: 37 laps". 24 July 1999. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
[20]
"2002 French Super Touring Championship Round 4: Dijon-Prenois, 30th June Race 1". 30 June 2002. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
[21]
"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.
[22]
"2024 Nogaro Alpine Elf Europa Cup Race 2 Statistics". 1 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
[23]
"2013 Nogaro 200 Race 1". 31 March 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
[24]
"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.
[25]
"1979 Nogaro Grand Prix". Motorsport Magazine. 8 July 1979. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
[26]
"1987 Coupe de Pâques". 20 April 1987. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
[27]
"1978 Nogaro Grand Prix". Motorsport Magazine. 9 July 1978. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
[28]
"1988 Nogaro Grand Prix". Motorsport Magazine. 11 September 1988. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
[29]
"1973 French Formula 3 Coupe des Paques". 23 April 1973. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
[30]
"IV Grand Prix de Nogaro Formula Junior". 18 August 1963. Retrieved 15 July 2022.

External links

Official website

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