Retrofestival Caen – Circuit de la Prairie, Retrofestival Caen – Circuit de la Prairie

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Back on the red carpet the French crowd cheered a Frank Spencer type character in a 2CVThe final weekend in June should be the date for 2016 and the 9th edition of this historic towns motoring celebration. Right on the Normandy coast ensures this event offers easy travel but yet a completely different experience for UK enthusiasts. A perfect taster for those facing their first visit overseas, the event is just a few miles from the ferry port and with direct bus connections you don’t even have to take your car. A weekend that is full of all things classic begins on Saturday morning with a car parade in the town. A strictly run concours d’etat takes place in the afternoon; this varies from the concours d’elegance with a judging panel primarily interested in the authenticity of the car along with its condition and cleanliness. Carl and Angela Pereira are introduced to enthusiastic local ‘Concours’ fansThese events are very prestigious in France and are therefore treated seriously. A classic auction also begins just after lunch and continues throughout the afternoon but the real action takes place on the Sunday which includes re-opening parts of the old Circuit de la Prairie. Be prepared for something completely unique whilst often not having a clue (unless your French is ‘tres bon’) what’s happening; the Caen Festival is great fun however you choose to enjoy the weekend.

Caen – Steeped in History

Heavily damaged during WW2 Caen lost much of its original buildings and therefore the architecture is more modern having been rebuilt over 14 post war years. The town was virtually destroyed by the allies in an attempt to remove the entrenched German defenders after the D Day Landings. Caen founder was none other than William the Conqueror and he was buried there in 1087 in the Abbey of St Etienne one of the few historic buildings that escaped the destruction of 1944. Grand Prix cars and drivers first ran at Caen in 1908 on a road circuit of 55 miles which would demand 4 laps to complete and surprisingly the fastest lap averaged over 80mph. The race ran for the next two years and then stopped, only to be revived during the early 1950s when a new street circuit brought some of the world’s finest to the Grand Prix De Caen. The location would be the cities Park Foch around the existing horse race track using closed public roads with a total distance of 2.2 miles; the Retrofestival is staged at the same venue and the Circuit de la Prairie lives again on the Sunday. Manic Mini’s enjoyed several class battles during Sunday perfectly suited to the courseThe first race took place in 1952.  The track having similarities with Silverstone or Goodwood is fast with two straights that aren’t very straight and two 90 degree corners, one very much a hairpin. Formula two machines battled for honours in the first year and in 1953 sports cars provided the spectacle but for 1954 the 2.5 Formula 1 machines were seen for the first time. Cancelled in 1955 due to the Le Mans tragedy the event returned the following year when Jean Behra took non championship round victory in a BRM. Behra attempted to repeat the win in the last Caen GP in 1958 but his BRM engine failed after 44 laps having starting 2nd on the grid behind eventual winner Stirling Moss in a Cooper Climax. 86 laps in two hours with an average of 151.15 kph this final race will also be remembered for Maserati 250F driver Gerino Gerini. After his 250F had blown smoke from the start it began to sound terrible on the last lap and expired on the last corner spinning on its own oil; Gerini secured sixth place by pushing the Maserati backwards across the line. The race was fortunate to have so many big names involved as it was the day after the British GP at Silverstone and many drivers had travelled straight from Northamptonshire to race. This though would be the end of Grand Prix racing in the town. Spoilt for Choice Film star car show included the ‘Hoffs’ Firebird, Potters Anglia and Ghostbuster’s Ecto-12015 saw the Festival of Speed at Goodwood fell on the same weekend and whilst the West Sussex event offers a chance to view some amazing moments, a trip to Caen offers a chance to make your own; with the backing of a large enthusiastic crowd cheering you on. Whether you prefer to dress in period with your pride and joy and display in front of thousands on the red carpet or race around the city’s streets until your tyres wear out, the choice is yours. The town centre comes to a standstill on Saturday afternoon as the Grande Parade arrives and locals gather around the cars and shopping becomes less important. The Hotel de Ville is the venue for a fantastic gala dinner with a cocktail reception; this can be booked at a cost of 60 euros along with your entry and several participants informed me they found the evening superb value. As I made my way through the deserted town before 8am on Sunday the barriers and Police were already in place to facilitate the road closures, returning just some of the old streets back to a speed event. Participants must expect to have their vehicles safety checked prior to running the streets and anyone contemplating taking part should realise this may well be classed as a demonstration but the pace was certainly rapid. Meanwhile the paddock area for those using the streets for a track day was a busy place with groups either returning or lining up to entertain enthusiastic crowds that line the barriers. Whatever the vintage and whether two, three or four wheels there is a group to race with and the ten minute sessions per class are repeated at least 4 times over the Sunday with about ten cars per class. Nearly disaster as Guy Saunier attempts to stop his 1982 Moto Guzzi JZR three wheeler from turning overNo special licences are required but I would recommend crash helmets if your car is a convertible although this again is not compulsory. I estimate the current track is under a mile in length but is very technical with little chance to achieve seriously high speeds through the tree lined boulevards; it does though feature hairpins and chicanes plus some rather tight turns. The Hippodrome arena was home for the weekend with ample space, the grandstand was full with locals enjoying the Concours d’Elegance on Sunday accompanied by a full orchestra, this event lasting a couple of hours is a real spectacle. This year the theme for the main display was cars that are movie stars, machines that are easily recognisable and some that are not so much for UK residents; unless you are addicted to French TV. Amongst the stalls selling all kinds of classic related goodies I met up with Simon and Sabrina Lorkin who moved to Normandy 11 years ago with their classic dashboards and woodworking restoration business. Caen offers them an ideal opportunity to meet old customers and gain some new ones; they have been part of the event since the beginning eight years ago. The Beaulieu Motor Museum stand manned by Andre de Groot included their Mercedes S36/220 from 1928, a stunning machine that took a pair of large trophies in the Concours d’Etat competition. Organiser Philippe Bertin introduced me to his son Quentin who in perfect English explained the ideas behind the Retrofestival. Seven months planning is required each year and the authorities including the Mayor’s office offer full support; essential to ensure the road closures can happen. The 1973 Capri was on track throughout the day and appreciated by the spectatorsThe town’s folk get involved and each year the format is changed to offer something new that guarantees a great crowd, now all they would like to encourage is more UK participation. Carl and Angela Pereira from Cambridge don’t need any encouragement this being their third visit to Retrofestival in their Lotus Elan. The couple have already confirmed a return in 2016 agreeing this weekend is one of the best on their calendar and like me cannot understand why more UK enthusiasts don’t make the crossing to Caen. Retrofestival Caen Charges for the 2015 event were: The official poster from the 1955 race through the streets of CaenA signing on fee of 20 Euros secures a parking place within the Hippodrome and your cars details in the programme plus entry to all events inside. Pre-85 only and includes car with two people. Spectator: 10 Euros for all access day rate or 15 Euros for the weekend full access to all events inside the Hippodrome. Spectators watch the streets come alive with all vintages of machines for free. Showing your car: Both Concours and the town parade are free. Demonstrating your car or motorbike around the streets of Caen is 15 Euros plus 10 extra for a passenger (cars) whilst classic bikes pay 10 Euros www.retrofestival.fr Getting there: I chose the walk on overnight Brittany Ferry from Portsmouth on the Saturday and returned Sunday night; with a cabin was great value at £150.00. Right up until the week before there was availability for passengers with cars on day time crossings costing £300.00 return but if you are happy to drive just a few miles along the coast from Le Havre the Brittany Crossing with car was less than £200.00. As always, the earlier you book the better the fare seems to be. Fuel cost are negligible unless you opt for the La Havre crossing then calculate for 100km driving which will take just over an hour. www.brittany-ferries.co.uk