The Dijon-Prenois circuit celebrates its 50th birthday this year. Admired by motorsport enthusiasts for its atypical side, with its hilly aspect and its long straight, the Burgundy circuit has managed to find a place among the renowned motor racing circuits. Who better than a Dijon driver to talk about it?
Bruno Mottez, 70, from Dijon, racing car driver. His favorite playground: the Dijon-Prenois circuit. This circuit, he saw it born. In 1972, he is 20 years old, the circuit is under construction and attends what will become a place of excellence in French motor racing.
This circuit, everyone appreciates it
Bruno Mottez knows this circuit by heart. His first lap dates back to 1976, during the French Formula Renault championship. During a round of this championship, he had the honor of supporting Alain Prost. An amateur driver, he has participated in numerous races on the Dijon circuit at the wheel of a single-seater, GT or sedan. Swallowing laps in Dijon-Prenois is always a pleasure. ” Dijon-Prenois is a large, hilly circuit with an atypical layout. This circuit, everyone appreciates it! Here we connect the curves in support at high speed, in complete safety … It is truly a happiness! “
Winning a title at Prenois would have been my dream!
In 1983 Bruno Mottez was on the starting line of a race in which he had all the possibilities: the Coupe de l’Avenir. It’s a prototype race and his car has everything to allow Dijonnais to win. Unfortunately for him, fate decides otherwise. A belt problem in his car deprived him of a podium and prevented him from shining in front of his audience.
In 2018 he did the math: he will have participated in more than thirty meetings on the Dijon-Prenois circuit. His best performance: 2th of the Formula Renault Classic trophy in 2018 and 2020. A great source of pride, despite everything.
READ ALSO: From Formula 1 to historic cars, the Dijon-Prenois circuit celebrates its 50th anniversary
Since its creation, the Burgundian circuit has been overhauled and brought to the highest European standards. In 1977 its track was extended by a parabolic. The circuit reaches 3,801 km, more than enough to satisfy the best drivers, with the straight one of the fastest of all French circuits, on which cars can reach 300 km / h. The circuit is celebrating its 50th birthday today and the work on the track and infrastructure carried out in recent years has allowed it to rise to the level of the best European standards in terms of car racing.
The Dijon-Prenois circuit has had a fantastic history
Yannick Morizot, president of the Dijon-Prenois circuit
For its president, Yannick Morizot, Dijon-Prenois has a fantastic history. The circuit hosted some of the most beautiful Grand Prix of the golden age of Formula 1 with, as a climax, the fabulous fight between René Arnoux and Gilles Villeneuve during the 1979 French Grand Prix. Dijon-Prenois was also the circuit on which the Renault Turbo obtained the first victory in its history.
For Laurent Vallery-Masson, president of HVM Racing and organizer of the Dijon Motors Cup, this circuit is full of advantages: “This is a fun circuit that has had so many adventures! … It is located at the crossroads of Europe and easily attracts Germans, Swiss and Belgians, not to mention the English, who love the area! “
France 3 Bourgogne will be live from the Dijon-Prenois circuit this Wednesday, October 11, in our 12pm news
