Circuit des Nations

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The Circuit des Nations ("Circuit of the Nations") was a street circuit between Lake Geneva and the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. It hosted the Grand Prix de Nations, similar to a Formula One race; the Grand Prix de Genève, similar to a Formula Two race; and various championship events. The first Grand Prix de Genève was held in Meyrin in 1931 and won by Marcel Lehoux, racing for Bugatti.

Geneva race-track (Switzerland)

The Geneva race-track[1] was established in the 1930s between the lake (Geneva) and the Nations square following the closure of the nearby Circuit de Meyrin.

The circuit hosted some local motorcycling events before holding its first international event, the 1938 Swiss motorcycle Grand Prix.[2] Racing at the track was suspended during World War II and international competition resumed in 1946 when a number of Grand-Prix races on both two and four wheels were held on this track. In total 5 major car races and 4 major motorcycle races happened on this track between 1938 and 1950.

File:Geneve track.jpg
Track layout 1950

The original length of the track for the 1938 event was stated as Template:Cvt.[2] Over the years small changes were made to the track layout until the track was significantly lengthened for the 1950 event by cutting out the hairpin on Avenue de France and replacing it by two long straits on both sides of Route de Lausanne, connected by a 180 degree hairpin.

Key pilots came here to compete: among them Giuseppe Farina, Raymond Sommer, Maurice Trintignant, Juan Manuel Fangio, Prince Bira (who had established residency, in Geneva).

The closest race-tracks were Aix les Bains – France (Circuit du Lac) and Lausanne (Circuit du Léman or Blécherette). All were temporary urban race-tracks that disappeared shortly after the Le Mans accident in 1955, or before.

Date Race Race track Category Lap length
July 17, 1938 15th Swiss motorcycle Grand Prix Circuit des Nations 250cc, 350cc, 500cc, sidecar (600cc) Script error: No such module "convert".[2]
July 14, 1946 16th Swiss motorcycle Grand Prix Circuit des Nations 250cc, 350cc, 500cc, sidecar Script error: No such module "convert".
July 21, 1946 1st Grand Prix des Nations Circuit des Nations Grand Prix FIA Script error: No such module "convert".[3]
May 2, 1948 2nd Grand Prix de Genève Circuit des Nations Formula 2 FIA, non-championship Script error: No such module "convert".
May 2, 1948 2nd Grand Prix des Nations Circuit des Nations Formula 1 FIA, non-championship Script error: No such module "convert".[4]
May 16, 1948 18th Swiss motorcycle Grand Prix Circuit des Nations 250cc, 350cc, 500cc, sidecar Script error: No such module "convert".
July 23, 1950 20th Swiss motorcycle Grand Prix Circuit des Nations 250cc, 350cc, 500cc, sidecar Script error: No such module "convert".
July 30, 1950 3rd Grand Prix de Genève Circuit des Nations Formula 2 FIA, non-championship Script error: No such module "convert".
July 30, 1950 3rd Grand Prix des Nations Circuit des Nations Formula 1 FIA, non-championship Script error: No such module "convert". [5]

1st Grand Prix des Nations

FIA Grand Prix, Circuit des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland – July 21, 1946

44 laps of the urban race track (short version) of Script error: No such module "convert"., or Script error: No such module "convert"., at an average speed of Script error: No such module "convert"..

Position Pilot Car
1 Template:Flagicon Giuseppe Farina Alfa Romeo 158
2 Template:Flagicon Carlo Felice Trossi Alfa Romeo 158
3 Template:Flagicon Jean-Pierre Wimille Alfa Romeo 158
4 Template:Flagicon Tazio Nuvolari Maserati 4CL
5 Template:Flagicon Emmanuel de Graffenried Maserati 4CL
6 Template:Flagicon Prince Bira ERA B
7 Template:Flagicon Achille Varzi Alfa Romeo 158
8 Template:Flagicon Raymond Sommer Maserati 4CL
DNF Template:Flagicon George Abecassis Alta
DNF Template:Flagicon Reg Parnell Maserati 4CL
DNF Template:Flagicon Luigi Villoresi Maserati 4CL

2nd Grand Prix de Genève

FIA Formula 2, non championship race, Circuit des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland – May 2, 1948

70 laps of the urban race-track (short version) Script error: No such module "convert"., or Script error: No such module "convert"., at an average speed of Script error: No such module "convert"..[6]

File:Talbot F1 vl yellow EMS.jpg
Talbot Lago T26
Position Pilot Team Car
1 Template:Flagicon Raymond Sommer Equipe Gordini Simca-Gordini T11
2 Template:Flagicon Prince Bira Equipe Gordini Simca-Gordini T11
3 Template:Flagicon Robert Manzon Equipe Gordini Simca-Gordini T11
4 Template:Flagicon Harry Schell Ecurie Bleue Cisitalia D46-Fiat
5 Template:Flagicon "Robert" Ecurie Pano Cisitalia D46-Fiat
6 Template:Flagicon Claude Bernheim Ecurie Autosport Cisitalia D46-Fiat
DNF Template:Flagicon Raymond de Saugé Raymond de Saugé Destrez Cisitalia D46-Fiat
DNF Template:Flagicon Carlo Pesci Carlo Pesci Cisitalia D46-Fiat
DNF Template:Flagicon Roger Loyer Ecurie de Paris Cisitalia D46-Fiat
DNF Template:Flagicon Maurice Trintignant Equipe Gordini Simca-Gordini T11
DNF Template:Flagicon Hans Stuck Hans Stuck Cisitalia D46-Fiat
DNF Template:Flagicon Rudolf Fischer Ecurie Espadon[7] Simca-Gordini T11
DQ Template:Flagicon Walter Triverio Ecurie Pano Cisitalia D46-Fiat

2nd Grand Prix des Nations

FIA Formula 1, non championship race, Circuit des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland – May 2, 1948

80 laps of the urban race-track (short version) Script error: No such module "convert". or Script error: No such module "convert"., at an average speed of Script error: No such module "convert"..

File:Delahaye 135 Donington 2007.jpg
Delahaye 135S
Position Pilot Car
1 Template:Flagicon Giuseppe Farina Maserati 4CLT
2 Template:Flagicon Emmanuel de Graffenried Maserati 4CL
3 Template:Flagicon Raymond Sommer Ferrari 166SC
4 Template:Flagicon Eugène Chaboud Delahaye 135S
5 Template:Flagicon Henri Louveau Delage D6.70
6 Template:Flagicon Clemar Bucci Maserati 4CL
DNF Template:Flagicon Jean-Pierre Wimille Simca-Gordini T15
DNF Template:Flagicon Charles Pozzi Talbot-Lago T150C
DNF Template:Flagicon Louis Rosier Talbot-Lago 150SS
DNF Template:Flagicon Yves Giraud-Cabantous Talbot-Lago 150C
DNF Template:Flagicon Nello Pagani Maserati 4CL
DNF Template:Flagicon Luigi Villoresi Maserati 4CL
DNF Template:Flagicon Luigi Fagioli Maserati 4CL
DNF Template:Flagicon Maurice Trintignant Simca-Gordini T15
DNF Template:Flagicon Prince Bira Maserati 4CL
DNF Template:Flagicon Richard Ramseyer Maserati 4CL
DNF Template:Flagicon Louis Chiron Talbot-Lago T26 SS

3rd Grand Prix de Genève

FIA Formula 2, non championship race, Circuit des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland – July 30, 1950

45 laps of the urban race-track Script error: No such module "convert". or Script error: No such module "convert"., at an average speed of Script error: No such module "convert"..

File:Veritas Meteor.jpg
Veritas Meteor
Position Pilot Team Car
1 Template:Flagicon Maurice Trintignant Equipe Gordini Simca-Gordini T15
2 Template:Flagicon André Simon Equipe Gordini Simca-Gordini T15
3 Template:Flagicon Dorino Serafini Scuderia Ferrari Ferrari 166F2
4 Template:Flagicon Roberto Mieres Automovil Club Argentina Maserati 4CLT/48
5 Template:Flagicon André Canonica André Canonica Simca-Gordini T11
6 Template:Flagicon Lance Macklin HW Motors Ltd. HWM/Alta
7 Template:Flagicon Alfred Dattner Alfred Dattner Simca-Gordini T11
8 Template:Flagicon Luigi Villoresi Scuderia Ferrari Ferrari 166F2
9 Template:Flagicon Toni Branca Mme. Walckiers Simca-Gordini T15
10 Template:Flagicon "Robert" Ecurie Paris Cisitalia D46/Fiat
DNF Template:Flagicon Mario Tadini Scuderia Ferrari Ferrari 166F2
DNF Template:Flagicon Aldo Gordini Equipe Gordini Simca-Gordini T15
DNF Template:Flagicon Roger Loyer Ecurie Paris Simca-Gordini T16
DNF Template:Flagicon Paul Glauser Ecurie Suisse Veritas Meteor
DNF Template:Flagicon Alexander Orley Alexander Orley Veritas Meteor
DNF Template:Flagicon George Abecassis HW Motors Ltd. HWM/Alta
DNF Template:Flagicon Ernesto Tornqvist Equipe Gordini Simca-Gordini T11
DNF Template:Flagicon Harry Schell Horschell Racing Corporation Cooper T12/JAP

3rd Grand Prix des Nations

FIA Formula 1, non championship race, Circuit des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland – July 30, 1950

68 laps of the urban race-track Script error: No such module "convert". or Script error: No such module "convert"., at an average speed of Script error: No such module "convert"..

File:Alfa-Romeo-159-(1951).jpg
Alfa Romeo 159
Position Pilot Car
1 Template:Flagicon Juan Manuel Fangio Alfa Romeo 158
2 Template:Flagicon Emmanuel de Graffenried Alfa Romeo 158
3 Template:Flagicon Piero Taruffi Alfa Romeo 158
4 Template:Flagicon Alberto Ascari Ferrari 125
5 Template:Flagicon Yves Giraud-Cabantous Talbot-Lago T26C
6 Template:Flagicon Giuseppe Farina Alfa Romeo 158
7 Template:Flagicon Robert Manzon Simca-Gordini T15
8 Template:Flagicon Louis Chiron Maserati 4CLT-48
9 Template:Flagicon Luigi Villoresi Ferrari 125
10 Template:Flagicon Johnny Claes Talbot-Lago T26C
11 Template:Flagicon Felice Bonetto Maserati Milano 4CLT-50
12 Template:Flagicon Franco Rol Maserati 4CLT-48
13 Template:Flagicon Toni Branca Maserati 4CL
DNF Template:Flagicon Raymond Sommer Talbot-Lago T26C
DNF Template:Flagicon Reg Parnell Maserati 4CLT-48
DNF Template:Flagicon Prince Bira Maserati 4CLT-48
DNF Template:Flagicon David Murray Maserati 4CLT-48
DNF Template:Flagicon Gianfranco Comotti Maserati Milano 4CLT-50
DNF Template:Flagicon Harry Schell Maserati 4CLT-48
DNF Template:Flagicon José Froilán González Maserati 4CLT-48

Swiss motorcycle Grand Prix winners by year

Year 250cc 350cc 500cc Sidecar Report
Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer Rider Manufacturer
1950 Template:Flagicon Dario Ambrosini Benelli Template:Flagicon Leslie Graham AJS Template:Flagicon Leslie Graham AJS Template:Flagicon Eric Oliver/
Template:FlagiconLorenzo Dobelli 		Norton Report
1948 Template:Flagicon Dario Ambrosini Benelli Template:Flagicon Artie Bell Norton Template:Flagicon Harold Daniell Norton Template:Flagicon Hans Haldemann/
Template:Flagicon Herbert Läderach 		Norton Report
1946 Template:Flagicon Celeste Cavaciuti Moto Guzzi Template:Flagicon Walther Hess Velocette Template:Flagicon Nello Pagani Gilera Template:Flagicon Ferdinand Aubert/
Template:Flagicon Rudi Grob 		Norton Report
1938 Template:Flagicon Ewald Kluge DKW Template:Flagicon Harold Daniell Norton Template:Flagicon Harold Daniell Norton Template:Flagicon Arthur Horton/
Template:Flagicon Les Seals 		Norton Report

Source:[8]

A tragic end

Towards the end of the third Grand Prix des Nations (1950), the engine of Alberto Ascari's Ferrari 340 blew up, pouring oil onto the corner at the end of the Avenue de la Paix. Behind him Luigi Villoresi, in a Ferrari 275, could not avoid the oil, his car skidded, went over the security barrier and ploughed into the crowd. Three spectators were killed,[9] another twenty were injured. Villoresi survived with a severely fractured leg.

After this tragedy, stemming like others from the use of street circuits ill-adapted to increasingly high-speed motor racing, the organisers cancelled the following year's event. Geneva would never again host a Grand Prix race.

In 1958 motor racing was banned altogether by the Swiss government as an unsafe spectator sport following the death of 80 people at the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans race.

References

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  1. ↑ [1] Template:Webarchive Map
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  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". (en) présentation
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ [2] (en) Circuit des Nations – détails of the accident

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