Exactly 60 years after the filming of the iconic movie Grand Prix, the Charade circuit is bringing back 1960s Formula 1 cars from 10th to 12th July, with the first edition of the Trophées d’Auvergne by Motor Racing Legends.

The year 2026 marks the 60th anniversary of the production of Grand Prix, directed by John Frankenheimer for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Several scenes from this three-hour film were shot in July 1966 at Charade and in the surrounding area, including Royat and Charbonnières‑les‑Vieilles. For the occasion, 17 race cars were deployed on the Clermont-Ferrand circuit – Formula 1 cars, of course, as well as a Ford GT40 specially adapted for filming.

For the racing scenes, the stars – James Garner, Yves Montand and Françoise Hardy – were doubled by some of the greatest drivers of the era: Graham Hill, Chris Amon, Phil Hill, Teddy Pilette, Jo Siffert, Jean-Pierre Beltoise, Peter Revson and Jo Bonnier. Meanwhile, nearly 3,000 local extras portrayed the spectators, each paid 50 francs per day, equivalent to around £10 today. With a budget of ten million dollars, Grand Prix won three Academy Awards and drew close to one million cinema admissions in France.

Over 30 Formula 1 cars at the Trophées d’Auvergne

From 10th to 12th July, the first edition of the Trophées d’Auvergne by Motor Racing Legends will celebrate this anniversary, featuring two grids bringing together more than thirty Formula 1 cars from the 1950s and 1960s: Talbot-Lago T26C, Ferrari D246, Maserati 250F, Cooper T51, Brabham BT3/4, Lotus 24 and even a BRM P261 identical to the one driven by James Garner and Brian Bedford – portraying Pete Aron and Scott Stoddard – in the film. Each grid will compete in a 20-minute race on Saturday 11 July, followed by a second race on Sunday.

During the event, historians Guy Lemaître and Jean-Paul Taillandier, from the association Agissons pour Charade, will share their memories of the film shoot and of the four French Grands Prix held in Auvergne in 1965, 1969, 1970 and 1972.

Beyond Formula 1, the Trophées d’Auvergne will feature eleven grids on track, with cars from disciplines ranging from sports prototypes to GT and touring cars, covering the period from 1928 to 1976.