Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours

Magny-Cours in the Nievre goes back to an initiative by Jean Bernigaud, at the time the mayor of the village; the operator's site dates the start to 1959. On 7 August 1960 the Motor Stadium Jean Behra was inaugurated with a 510 metre kart track, in 1961 a 2000 metre car and motorcycle course was added, and by 1971 the total length had grown to 3850 metres. The venue was inaugurated for Formula 1 in 1989, the first French Grand Prix ran here on 7 July 1991, and it stayed the host until 2008. More relevant for riders: the Superbike World Championship has come here since 2003, and in 2009 the contract was extended to 2012. In 2000 the separate "Circuit Club" was built for riding and driving courses, and in 2003 the Grand Prix layout was reworked. Today the operator lists an off-road park and a kart track alongside the Grand Prix and Club circuits, plus track days for cars and motorcycles. Our record holds a length of 4411 metres for the Grand Prix layout. This is a circuit with long, fast sections where a balance error can no longer be ridden around - what still passes as nervousness in a chicane becomes a real problem on the straight. If the bike starts to weave at high speed: top of our cause list is ride-height and sag balance being off with the rear too high - set the sag first, before you touch a steering damper or any clicker.