French Racing – Meeting at the Auberge de la Garenne

Modelmaking and How to Enjoy Racing France - Reims-Gueux

In the making: Model for h0 Racetrack 1:64 Auberge de la Garenne
Das Modell entsteht: Auberge de la Garenne im Maßstab 1:64 für die Modellrennbahn

Trying to reinvent Reims-Gueux in a smaller scale also provides the opportunity to learn about the cultural aspects. At least that is the impression after all the years researching and planning many details. During the planning stages decisions were made on which landmarks should become a part of the layout. The Auberge de la Garenne was an obvious choice. The building appeared in many pictures.

Mockup of Auberge de la Garenne reworked and test fitted on Track
Urmodel Auberge de la Garenne wurde überarbeitet und die Wirkung auf der Bahn beurteilt.

Auberge de la Garenne with extension on the back of main building
Auberge de la Garenne mit Anbau auf der Rückseite des Hauptgebäudes

For a long time, a mockup was in place on the track. Something about the mockup seemed wrong. Last December the time had come to make a move. Proportion were altered slightly. The bistro, an addition from the 1960s I believe, became more depth. A roof, on the back of the main house showed on one of the pictures. A detailed that had not come to attention before changed the whole idea of the building. Before the building seemed out of place. With the extension the building became more feasible. This detail connected the building with its surrounding. It might accommodate a kitchen. All of a sudden, ideas about how the house was utilized came to mind and made the building come alive.

All parts for the model are cut of cardboard
Wände für das Modell werden aus Finnpappe ausgeschnitten

Parts for the walls are glued together and receive a grey basecoat
Bauteile für Wände werden zusammengeklebte und erhalten eine graue Grundierung

With the changes came new ideas for detailing the area to blende in the structure and make it come alive. Now the areas once created for the house seems to small. Trees around the house, a parking lot, advertising banner, hey stacks, fences, cars and many figures will hopefully capture the spirit of the time and the moment in history.

Main Building Auberge de la Garenne
Wände der Auberge de la Garenne wurden mehrfach gestrichen und zur Probe zusammengefügt.

Restaurant at the Auberge eceives Wooden Floor and Staircase
Im Restaurant der Auberge wurde der Holzfußboden und eine Treppe eingefügt

Interior added to the Bistro and Concrete to the Outside
Bistro mit Bänken und Tischen ausgesttatet, Betonplatten vor dem Bistro und Eingangsbereich verlegt.

It is not just about racing and cars. A part of the pits is the “Hotel sur Piste”. On first sight it seemed to house officials and administration. Searching for images for further details it became obvious that it was a restaurant on three floors. It appeared that many places around the track provided opportunities to indulge a French meal in good company. Working on the track and researching reveled many of these aspects and the entertainment racing once provided.

Significant Wooden Shades added to the outside of the Auberge de la Garenne
Charakteristische Vordächer aus Holz an der Fassade angebracht

Auberge de la Garenne by Dawn
Auberge de la Garenne bei Sonnenaufgang

First Visitors at Bistro Auberge de la Garenne
Erste Besucher im Bistro Auberge de la Garenne

All the aspects helped to spark my interest in building the track again. When the project started it was clear that it should not be rushed. As the build evolved it became obvious that all the details consumed time. Sometimes it becomes frustrating. Looking at it from a logical standpoint does not help to end doubts. Only the fascination and the will to expand and learn new techniques sparks the joy in modelling. Every now and then decisions take a little longer. Mounting parts together can evoke worries. Parts and pieces are handcrafted more than once, fitted and evaluated. It is a gripping journey and a nice way to learn about various aspects in life.

Virage de Thillois

Auberge de la Garenne

Circuit de Reims-Gueux

Be happy!
To be continued

F1 1959 Circuit Reims-Gueux - Wrenn Formlua 152

Formula 1 1959 at Reims-Gueux with Wrenn Formula 152 – Spirit of the Past

Building a slot car track that tries to replicate the spirit of a long-gone time the internet provides the necessary information. Surprisingly one can find new images of the track even after many years of scrolling the pages and pictures over and over.

Modellrennbahn Maßstab 1:64 Circuit Reims Gueux

Formula 1 Race Circuit Reims Gueux 1959

A long time ago someone posted a h0 Formula 1 car from the early sixties. The car in question was a Wrenn Formula 152 Ferrari. It proved to be a rare brand. Gradually more information was retrieved. Occasionally a Car was offered but turned out to be to costly. Spontaneously searching the web for new offers, I lost faith in finding an appropriate offer. There was also no reliable information on the actual size of the cars. Eventually three cars were bought last year. The bodysize is on the larger end of h0 cars, close to Faller F1.

Wrenn Formula 152 vor der Boxengasse in Reims Gueux 1959

When they were placed on the Track, right in front of the pits, they were a perfect match. Right around that time pictures of the Formula 1 race at Reims-Gueux popped up during researching images of the track. The pictures proved that planning the track paid off. The pictures of the Wrenn cars taken on a rare occasion when the sun lit the track matched the pictures taken in 1959.

Formula 1 Race Circuit Reims Gueux 1959

That was more than you can hope for, at least when your passion belongs to modelling and replicating the past in smaller scale.

Formula 1 Race Circuit Reims Gueux 1959

fotoLIBRA Jean Behra Ferrari Rheims GP 1959