Ain-Diab Circuit
 | |
| 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 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 Abderrahman forest.[1] Prior to 1957, the Anfa Circuit and the Agadir circuit were used for the Moroccan Grand Prix.
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
- ^ 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
- Ain-Diab Circuit race results at Racing-Reference
- Satellite picture by Google Maps
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