Racing @ Magny-Cours

The site was originally the Circuit Jean Behra, but was completely demolished and rebuilt at considerable cost in 1988–1989 as French president François Mitterrand wanted a major motorsport venue in his rural home département. The new Magny-Cours opened in 1989, and from 1991 — at the height of Alain Prost's career — it took over from Paul Ricard as host of the French Formula One Grand Prix, holding the race continuously through 2008. The first French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours in 1991 was won by Nigel Mansell (Williams) ahead of Prost in the Ferrari. A signature feature of the modern layout is that several of its corners are deliberate facsimiles of famous corners elsewhere: Adelaide (a tight hairpin homage to the Australian Grand Prix street circuit), Estoril (a long parabolic right-hander), and the Imola-style chicane Lycée. Other named corners include Grande Courbe, Estoril, the 180°/Adelaide hairpin, Nürburgring, Château d'Eau, Lycée chicane and the final Imola chicane. Magny-Cours hosts the French round of the FIM Superbike World Championship, the French national championship and a substantial trackday programme. Its technical layout, smooth surface and good infrastructure make it one of the most respected club racing venues in France.