Circuit de Dijon-Prenois, Racing Circuit

Circuit de Dijon-Prenois sits in the rolling Burgundy countryside near the village of Prenois, north-west of Dijon in eastern France. It was the brainchild of former rugby player and wrestler Francois Chambelland, who wanted to give the region a permanent motorsport venue, and the original short course opened on 26 May 1972 with Guy Ligier completing the first lap. Relatively compact but heavily undulating, the layout plunges downhill through a sequence of sweeping, off-camber curves before climbing back up on the return leg, demanding total concentration from drivers. A 1976 extension added the Parabolique loop and lengthened the track so it could properly host Formula One, which it staged five times for the French Grand Prix as well as the 1982 Swiss Grand Prix. Its most celebrated moment came in 1979, when Rene Arnoux and Gilles Villeneuve fought a ferocious wheel-banging duel over second place that remains one of the sport's most famous battles. The circuit also welcomed the World Sportscar Championship, Formula 3000, European and World Touring Cars, and a one-off DTM round in 2009. Truck racing has been held there since 1988, and the venue is now best known for historic events such as the Grand Prix de l'Age d'Or. Today it largely serves domestic championships, club events and motorcycle racing, supported by a kart track added in 2001. Its fast, flowing character and dramatic elevation changes continue to make it a favourite among drivers and historic-racing enthusiasts.

Operated by: Automobile Club de la Côte-d'Or