Circuit of Cadours
The closest major town is Toulouse.
Raymond Sommer, Cooper-J.A.P., 1950
Sommer’s death was a big shock for racing fans in France as well as the world. Moreover, Jean-Pierre Wimille, the other great French driver of this era, had died about 19 months before. In a short period of time French racing drivers and fanatics were left without leaders. A memorial to Sommer was erected and inaugurated on September 9, 1951, just before the 3rd
Circuit de Cadours. It was financed by a national fund and sculpted by Pessay. On June 2, 1952 Fangio came from Albi to Cadours to meditate at Sommer’s memorial: Raymond had been his friend.
Despite Sommer’s death the
Circuit de Cadours was organized almost every year until 1961. Of course, after the Le Mans tragedy of 1955 the security of the tracks had to be improved, much more than before. This surely accounts for the financial difficulties due to necessary investments to protect the spectators and the drivers.
Unfortunately, another tragedy happened in Cadours. In 1958 no car races were organized but motorcycle races instead. And on July 13th Keith Campbell, Australia’s first world motorcycle champion, died at Cadours after crashing out of the race. He was only 26 and had won the 350cc World Championship on a Moto Guzzi the previous year.
After this second tragedy a final car race took place at Cadours in 1961: Jo Siffert won the 12th
Circuit de Cadours, at the wheel of a Formula Junior Lotus 20, ahead of thirteen French drivers.
Classic triangular layout connecting 3 tiny hamlets
Start/Finish
D89
D89
D89-D29
D29
D29
D29-D41
D41
D41 straight line
D41
Cox corner, the hairpin to the right where Sommer perished.
D41-D89
Recent Historic demo under Sommer memorial
