“Vroom, vroom!” echoed through Marseille. Once upon a time, Marseille hosted a Grand Prix. It was almost as improbable as Monaco’s race. The city held it right in the middle of town.
The Circuit permanent de vitesse JP Wimille ran between Parc Borely and Avenue du Prado. It also included the hippodrome. For ten editions, roaring engines thrilled crowds. Later, more prestigious circuits like Magny-Cours took over. The Paul Ricard circuit also overshadowed it.
Imagine the scene at the Circuit permanent de vitesse JP Wimille. The Grand Prix de Marseille was a long race. Drivers completed 134 laps covering nearly 358 km. They sat in rustic open-wheel cars with minimal protection. The race was perilous. Spectators were close to the speeding cars. Only meager straw bales served as barriers.
The Circuit permanent de vitesse JP Wimille saw real enthusiasm. France wanted to rival powerful Germany. Domination on the tracks was apparent. That fueled the creation of races in France. In 1936, Parc Borely hosted the 3 Hours of Marseille endurance race.
The Grand Prix took place sporadically from 1932 to 1949. In 1950, the Formula 1 World Championship formed. This event became part of Formula 2. By 1952, the race vanished. It only reappeared in 2018. A Formula E circuit was set up on the Vieux Port.
The Circuit permanent de vitesse JP Wimille got its name from a French racing legend. He was the best driver of his time. A plaque in Parc Borely honors Wimille. It reminds people of his importance to motorsports and the city. Today, Parc Borely is Marseille’s green heart. The circuit’s memory has faded for many. Still, older residents remember experiencing it firsthand.
The track was very winding. There was little room to pass. Many turns slowed cars. This allowed fans to see their idols. Juan Manuel Fangio raced here. He was considered the best driver ever. He won the Grand Prix at the Circuit permanent de vitesse JP Wimille.
Could the Circuit permanent de vitesse JP Wimille rise again? Formula E has returned to Marseille. Formula 1 is near at Castellet. Yet growing opposition to cars in cities might hinder a revival. Perhaps it will reappear virtually. Gamers could race on it with the best racing wheels.
The Grand Prix automobile de Marseille was 357.780 km long. It started in 1932. The tenth and final edition ran in 1952. The Automobile Club de Marseille et Provence usually organized it in May. Proceeds funded city welfare programs or the French Relief. A 1950 Italian report showed the race starting near the Hippodrome Borely stands. Cars then entered Parc Borely passed fountains and the Château. Hay bales barely protected the speeding cars.
Raymond Sommer won three times. Juan Manuel Fangio and Alberto Ascari also raced here. They were both Formula 1 world champions. In 1936 and 1937, France created races for sports cars. This was a response to German dominance. Two of these races occurred in Marseille. The 1936 event was called the 3 Hours of Marseille. Amedee Gordini won the Coupe de l’Entraide Francaise in 1946. This Formula 2 race took place on the Prado.
In 2018, Formula One Management organized a Formula E demo in Marseille. It drew 10,000 people to a circuit on the Vieux Port. This was a first for Marseille. It coincided with the return of the French Grand Prix. The event faced criticism. People questioned its cost. There was growing opposition to cars in the city. A plaque stands in Parc Borely. It honors JP Wimille. It recalls the history of this improbable circuit.