So if it has a French name, a featured superstar who is Scottish, and its main features are metallic (and it’s not a rock band), what is it doing in green Copenhagen?
This is not a riddle, but a description of an actual event – the Historic Grand Prix on the first weekend of August, now in its eleventh year.
The superstar is Scotland’s David Coulthard, the former Formula One racing car driver, who will be making driving appearances in a Red Bull F1 car on both days along the two-kilometre course.
In addition to the Scot, who is a really cute guy, other potential celebrity sightings include Prince Joachim of Denmark, who has raced the Historic GP as an ‘amateur’ for many years, his wife, Princess Marie, who is usually at hand to hand out prizes, and eight-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen.
In addition to the stars, 200 drivers from all over Europe will be on the track in vintage autos dating from 1930 to 1981 (the period specified by the organisers vintage cars).
For romantic fantasisers and nostalgia freaks, the names alone – Bentley, Bugatti, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Jaguar, Aston Martin and Porsche – bring back eras of Isadora Duncan and James Bond. The Gentleman’s Cup brings back the era of ‘honourable driving’. The Ferrari Challenge is for Ferrari drivers only, and there are several types of Touring Car Races. While Minis and even Ford Escorts will make a more modest appearance.
One special event that may be of interest to expat Americans features 1966’s Chevy Camaro, designed at the time as an answer to the Ford Mustang. You can also simply take a look-see at the Classic Car Park where you can park your vehicle (providing it meets the criteria) for 40 kroner. The Classic Car Park is one of the largest classic car exhibitions around.
The track is just over 2km, and swings throught the entire park. While the main entrance is at Øster Alle, the start and finish line is on Nørre Alle – a great place to position yourself to watch. Other good spots are at the turns – particularly the hairpin on Edel Sauntes Alle.
Copenhagen Historic Grand Prix
Fælledparken, Øster Alle, Cph Ø; Sat-Sun 08:30-17:30; tickets: 320kr per day, 500kr for weekend, 470-1,320kr grandstand options, under-14s free adm with paying adult, www.billetlugen.dk; 8651 9929; www.chgp.dk