Dijon-Prenois

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Updated On :02 Mar, 2021

Full Name
Dijon-Prenois

Type
Outdoor

Location
Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France

Circuit Type
Race

Length
3.801 km

The Dijon-Prenois is a motor racing circuit in the city of Prenois, near Dijon, France. The racing circuit is 3.801 km (2.364 miles) in length, well known for its fast, sweeping bends. Although construction started in 1969, the circuit was opened in 1972. This Grand Prix circuit has nine turns, whereas the short circuit has 8 curves and is much-publicised for its wide-ranging bends. The circuit has FIA Grade 2 licence.

Trivia

Initially, the track was a part to make Dijon an automotive center. Later on, it was developed into a racing circuit with the aid of racers Jean-Pierre Beltoise and Francois Cevert as well as motoring journalist Jose Rosinski.

Significance

The circuit hosted the FIA GT Championship in the year 1998.
The course hosted the FFSA GT Championship in the year 2012.
The inaugural race at the circuit was conducted here ten days after the circuit opened. Arturo Merzario (Italian racer) won the race.
The last French Grand Prix's F1 race was held in 1984. McLaren's Niki Lauda won the race.
French Grand Prix came to the circuit for five times, the first one being held in 1974.
The "1979 French Grand Prix" hosted by the circuit was a memorable battle for the second place between Gilles Villeneuve's Ferrari and Rene Arnoux's Renault. The spot was won by Villeneuve. However, the race itself was won by Jean-Pierre Jabouille.
The circuit failed to host the 1982 Formula One season and conducted the Swiss Grand Prix that year. It was because the Swiss government banned motor racing due to 1955 "24 Hours of Le Mans" disaster. The Circuit de la Sarthe of France witnessed almost 80 people (many of whom were spectators) die.
The circuit has also hosted the non-championship 1975 Swiss Grand Prix.