When it comes to odd race tracks, Linas-Montlhéry is probably near the top of the list. Why is that? You can find out for yourself, thanks to an Assetto Corsa mod.
Motorsport was rather wacky in its early days by today’s standards. No safety, speeds already at incredible levels, and eccentric circuits that have largely been forgotten as the decades went on were trademarks of racing for much of the 20th century.
The Autodrome de Linas-Montlhéry perfectly fits in that time frame. Located just south of Paris, the track was opened in 1924 and hosted the French Grand Prix eight times between 1925 and 1937. It is still around today, although races are not held at the Autodrome anymore. For the most part, historic events keep the track busy occasionally.
Circuit 4 of Linas-Montlhéry, the longest version available in Calimero 0euf’s AC version. Image credit: MotorOilStains via Wikimedia Commons, available under the CC-BY-SA 2.0 license
Attached to this is a long road course. The longest configuration Linas-Montlhéry allows measures 12.5 kilometers or 7.767 miles, and it was used for the Grands Prix pre-WWII, plus the then-famous 1000km of Paris sportscar races later on. It incorporated the second banked oval turn, usually with chicanes installed.
The layout already makes the track odd. Looking at the track map, most of the road circuit seems like an afterthought tacked onto the oval, extending way eastward from the “center” of the actual track, if you will. A shortened version of this road course has also been used in the circuit’s later years.
Once again, sim racing serves as a great tool for preserving a historic circuit like this, however. Already in 2017, RaceDepartment user @Calimero 0euf uploaded their version of Linas-Montlhéry for Assetto Corsa. While the full layout is not part of the track, the 7.784-kilometer (4.837-mile) Circuit 4 layout used for the 1971 1000km of Paris is, which includes just over half of the road circuit.
In addition to this variant featuring two long straights and an extremely tricky braking zone ahead of Côte de Lapize (think crest, big dip, crest), the shortened version used by the BPR series in the 1990s and the oval circuit – albeit with a chicane – are also included. As Linas-Montlhéry is a relatively rare sight in sim racing, this version of the track is a welcome addition to AC. It appears to be modeled after the modern track, going by the kerbs and bollards that can be found in some corners.
Risky braking zone: Approaching the Côte de Lapize hairpin can incorporate a slight jump if you brake late.
How much of the bumpy oval do you dare to use to create a good entry into the chicanes? And how late will you brake for Côte de Lapize while risking to catch air in the braking zone? Figuring out the track definitely is an enjoyable task.
Have you ever raced the Autodrome Linas-Montlhéry? Let us know on Twitter @OverTake_gg or in the comments below!
Motorsport was rather wacky in its early days by today’s standards. No safety, speeds already at incredible levels, and eccentric circuits that have largely been forgotten as the decades went on were trademarks of racing for much of the 20th century.
The Autodrome de Linas-Montlhéry perfectly fits in that time frame. Located just south of Paris, the track was opened in 1924 and hosted the French Grand Prix eight times between 1925 and 1937. It is still around today, although races are not held at the Autodrome anymore. For the most part, historic events keep the track busy occasionally.
Linas-Montlhéry: Odd Track With History
What makes the track so weird, though? Well, for one, there is the oval circuit that is part of Linas-Montlhéry. It features impressively steep banking and probably was never not super bumpy, much like Monza’s famous banking. The French version of the oval is shorter, however, measuring 2.548 kilometers or 1.583 miles.Circuit 4 of Linas-Montlhéry, the longest version available in Calimero 0euf’s AC version. Image credit: MotorOilStains via Wikimedia Commons, available under the CC-BY-SA 2.0 license
Attached to this is a long road course. The longest configuration Linas-Montlhéry allows measures 12.5 kilometers or 7.767 miles, and it was used for the Grands Prix pre-WWII, plus the then-famous 1000km of Paris sportscar races later on. It incorporated the second banked oval turn, usually with chicanes installed.
The layout already makes the track odd. Looking at the track map, most of the road circuit seems like an afterthought tacked onto the oval, extending way eastward from the “center” of the actual track, if you will. A shortened version of this road course has also been used in the circuit’s later years.
Short-Lived Revival In The 1990s
Throughout the 1970s, the number of events decreased considerably, and for most of the 1980s until 1986, only two to three national events took place. Somehow, adding to the odd history of Linas-Montlhéry, the circuit was revived in 1994 and 1995, using the 1000km of Paris moniker for the BPR Global GT series – the predecessor of the FIA GT Championship. Those marked the last major events at the track to date, though.Once again, sim racing serves as a great tool for preserving a historic circuit like this, however. Already in 2017, RaceDepartment user @Calimero 0euf uploaded their version of Linas-Montlhéry for Assetto Corsa. While the full layout is not part of the track, the 7.784-kilometer (4.837-mile) Circuit 4 layout used for the 1971 1000km of Paris is, which includes just over half of the road circuit.
In addition to this variant featuring two long straights and an extremely tricky braking zone ahead of Côte de Lapize (think crest, big dip, crest), the shortened version used by the BPR series in the 1990s and the oval circuit – albeit with a chicane – are also included. As Linas-Montlhéry is a relatively rare sight in sim racing, this version of the track is a welcome addition to AC. It appears to be modeled after the modern track, going by the kerbs and bollards that can be found in some corners.
Risky braking zone: Approaching the Côte de Lapize hairpin can incorporate a slight jump if you brake late.
Linas-Montlhéry: Blast From The Past
That does not make it any worse to drive in a vintage car, though. The layout remains unchanged, and blasting down the long straights in a Porsche 917K (like in the screenshots), for instance, is tremendous fun, but challenging at the same time.How much of the bumpy oval do you dare to use to create a good entry into the chicanes? And how late will you brake for Côte de Lapize while risking to catch air in the braking zone? Figuring out the track definitely is an enjoyable task.
Have you ever raced the Autodrome Linas-Montlhéry? Let us know on Twitter @OverTake_gg or in the comments below!
