Circuit Bernard Gouvart - Loon-Plage

The Circuit Bernard Gouvart lies on the Route des Dunes at Loon-Plage, west of Dunkirk. It is run by the ADASM, which according to the town has managed the site since 24 May 2005; Jean-Pierre Top is named as president. The surface is 100 percent sand. The grounds hold several separate courses - a motorcycle track, a quad track and dedicated loops for 85cc and 50cc machines, plus a 4x4 course; the whole facility is given as 6.2 or 6.5 kilometres depending on which source you read. It is open daily and all year round, and an FFM or UFOLEP licence is required. The day rate is 14 euros, and 8 euros for children under 14. There is a large car park, a club house and sanitary facilities. Events held here include the Ronde des Sables, sand cross rounds and the Super Trophee de France with around 800 entrants. Pure coastal sand means the line gets deep, soft and wavy over the course of a day, and because our record lists the track as fast, you work through those waves at speed. The rear then starts to pogo and effectively swim instead of following the line. Top of our cause list is rebound that is too fast for sand - slow it down, that is fewer clicks out, so the rear stops pogoing. Treat it as a starting point, not a safety promise.