The Ain-Diab Circuit (Arabic: دارة عين الذئاب, romanized: Dārat A'ayn a-Thia'āb) was a Formula One road circuit built in 1957, southwest of Ain-Diab in Morocco, using the existing coast road and the main road from Casablanca to Azemmour that ran through the Sidi Abderhaman forest.[1] Prior to 1957, the Anfa Circuit and the Agadir circuit were used for the Moroccan Grand Prix.
 | |
| Location | Ain-Diab, Casablanca-Settat, Morocco |
|---|---|
| Time zone | GMT |
| Coordinates | 33°34′43″N 7°41′15″W / 33.57861°N 7.68750°W |
| Opened | 1957 |
| Closed | 1958 |
| Major events | Formula One Moroccan Grand Prix (1958) |
| Temporary Road Course (1957–1958) | |
| Length | 7.603 km (4.724 miles) |
| Race lap record | 2:22.5 - 119.343 mph ( Stirling Moss, Vanwall VW 5, 1958[1], F1) |
The 4.724 miles (7.603 km) course was designed by the Royal Automobile Club of Morocco and given a full blessing from Sultan Mohammed V.[1] It took six weeks to construct.[1][2] The site hosted a non-championship F1 race in 1957.[3] On 19 October 1958 the course was the venue for the 1958 Moroccan Grand Prix,[2][4] the final round in the 1958 Formula One season.[5] It was won by Stirling Moss driving a Vanwall,[4][6] completing the 53 laps in 2h 09m 15.1s.[5] Mike Hawthorn driving a Ferrari 246 finished second and in doing so became the first British Formula One World Champion.
During the race, the engine on the Vanwall of Stuart Lewis-Evans seized and the car spun and crashed. He was fatally burned,[1][2] dying in hospital in England eight days later.[7]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e "Ain Diab | Motor Sport Magazine database". Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
- ^ a b c "All Formula One Info - Ain Diab Circuit". All Formula One Info. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
- ^ "1957 Moroccan Grand Prix | Motor Sport Magazine Database". Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
- ^ a b "Ain Diab Track Info". Silhouet. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
- ^ a b "1958 Moroccan Grand Prix | Motor Sport Magazine Database". Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
- ^ "Moroccan Grand Prix". theracingline.net. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
- ^ "The drama, pride and tragedy of F1's last Moroccan Grand Prix". BBC News. 27 February 2020.
External links edit
- Ain-Diab Circuit race results at Racing-Reference
- Satellite picture by Google Maps
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