|
It's a favorite with LOT, it's a small friendly circuit, with lots of twists and turns that suit the Elise, and with plenty of run off makes for a good relaxed track day. Before strict F1 safety rules outlawed it, teams used to 'test' here in advance of the Monaco GP. The tight nature of the track, emulating the famous street circuit, allowed teams to gain important set-up information prior to the race. Although now used mainly for French club racing, some British series have raced here including the 'Production BMW Championship'.
A lap of Croix starts halfway down the long main straight. An opportunity for hard breaking exists before the first right hand hairpin turn. Should things not work out as planned and the road runs out too quickly for the over enthusiastic driver, there is one of the largest gravel traps to be seen at a circuit ready to drag things to a stop. (This is NOT recommended by the way!). A gently curving straight leads in to a long tight left hander requiring the driver to balance the throttle through the corner and not be too eager to 'nail it’. On the exit, a short 'squirt' is needed to take the car down to a tight, double apex, right handed hairpin. Allowing the car to drift over to the left hand side kerb on exit puts the car on the correct side of the track for the approach to the exciting 'bridge' corner. A lot of speed can be carried through here although it is important to be confident where the car will end up on exit before turning in otherwise another 'hungry' gravel trap will be ready to gobble you up! A fast left then onto a short straight at the back of the pit lane before choosing your line through the last right handed hairpin leads back on to the start/finish straight completing a lap of twisty Croix.
 |
The circuit has a good café serving drinks and baguettes or a short drive back into St. Pol offers super markets as well as a number of small bars and restaurants for lunch if something a little more sophisticated is required.
|
It should take approximately one hour to reach the circuit from Calais. On leaving the Eurotunnel or Ferry terminal join the A16 towards Reims/Paris/St Omer for 1-3 miles, exit right on to the A26 (still signposted Reims/Paris/St Omer). Exit the A26 at Junction 5 sign posted Saint Pol Sur Ternoise (there is a service station just before exit 5 if you need fuel) and follow the D916 in to Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise. Drive through the center of town and when you come to a junction at the top of the hill (ahead and to your right will be a concrete pedestrian bridge spanning the road) turn right under the bridge onto the N41 sign towards Hesdin. The circuit can be found after 3 miles on your right.
Words kindly provided by Nigel Goater (Nipper)
|
