Dijon-Prenois was the third circuit to have been used in the area when it opened in 1972. Although picturesque and demanding in places, it was always too short to be used as an international venue. It was extended in 1976 but Dijon eventually lost the Grand Prix to Circuit Paul Ricard. Despite its limitations, many memorable races were held at Dijon, including first Grand Prix victories for Jean-Pierre Jabouille and Renault (1979), Alain Prost (1981) and Keke Rosberg (1982 Swiss GP). And it will always be remembered as the scene of the spectacular dice between Rene Arnoux and Gilles Villeneuve as they disputed second in the 1979 French Grand Prix. They repeatedly swapped positions in the closing laps, banging wheels on and off the track. That was viewed as irresponsible by some but exhilarating to most. International racing did return intermittently in the form of FIA GT Championship in the 1990s, but Dijon is no longer at the forefront of French racing.
