This Wednesday, 12 October, the former pilots gathered to meet the public.
“The Pouas corner is the most complicated corner that exists in the circuits of the world”, underlines Jean Ragnotti.
Inaugurated in 1972, the Dijon-Prenois Circuit has hosted the greatest world events since its inception, notably the Dijon 1,000km in 1973, counting for the World Endurance Championship. A year later, the first of seven Formula 1 Grands Prix brings together an incredible crowd.
The Circuit is also the scene of stages of the automobile and motorcycle Tour, as well as cycling, with the Tour de France three times, and hosts the ETCC, the WTCC, the European and French Truck Championship, the F3000 or the DTM.
Qualified by riders from all over the world as one of the most beautiful tracks, it is also one of the most demanding in France. The Circuit has therefore seen legends such as Niki Lauda, Ronnie Peterson, Henri Pescaloro, Jacky Ickx, Jean Pierre Beltoise, Jacques Laffite, Jean Pierre Jabouille, Alain Prost or Giacomo Agostini racing on its asphalt …
“I have three wins here in Dijon-Prenois“
Jean Ragnotti also drove in Dijon. With eight world titles in various categories, “Jeannot”, his nickname, has an important track record obtained in particular at the Circuit de Dijon-Prenois
“I had the pleasure of driving in 1975 with a victory in Formula Renault Europe, in 1981 another victory with the Renault 5 turbo in the European Cup version, and in 1989 with the R21 turbo 4X4. So I have three wins here in Dijon-Prenois, it’s a circuit that has counted a lot in my career.
“But I must say that the Pouas curve is a big difficulty. It is the last corner before the straight to enter the pits. It is very long, it closes a bit with a bump in the middle, it is the most complicated corner that exists in the circuits of the world.
“It is a circuit that I really enjoyed, but I also have very pleasant taste and liquid memories, you have a region that really lends itself to the pleasures of the table”.
“This is my Proust madeleine“
Bruno Saby also came to the Circuit de Dijon-Prenois. This Grenoblois is to date the only world champion to have won the three most prestigious motoring events: the Tour de Corse in 1986, the Monte-Carlo Rally in 1988 and the Paris-Dakar in 1993.
“I won here in Prenois, in 1974, an event called Le Volant. I participated with people who raced on the circuit every Sunday. I didn’t know the site or the car, and I got this wheel, which was a car to win for a rally season. But unfortunately I didn’t make it this season as this rally didn’t take place for financial reasons.
“But my memories of Dijon are all these riders I’ve met in different disciplines. Guys like Jacky Ickx or Gérard Larousse whom I saw again today on the occasion of this anniversary is a real joy. I have flashes of Dijon-Prenois that come to mind more often than other circuits where I have however received more awards. That’s a little bit of what I came for. It’s my Proust madeleine. “
Norberto Banket
Photo: N. Banquet
