Circuit Zolder Explained

The Circuit Zolder, also known as Circuit Terlamen,[1] is an undulating 4.011km (02.492miles) motorsport race track in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium.

History

Built in 1963, Zolder hosted the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix on 10 separate occasions in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as the 1980 Belgian motorcycle Grand Prix. F1 moved to Zolder in 1973 and with the exception of a race at Nivelles-Baulers in 1974, Zolder was the location of the Belgian Grand Prix until 1982. That year, Canadian driver Gilles Villeneuve was killed during qualifying at the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix. Villeneuve's Ferrari 126C2 collided at speed with the March 821 of Jochen Mass. The Ferrari was torn up in the accident and when rolling, Villeneuve was thrown from the car.

After Villeneuve's death, the Belgian Grand Prix was held at Spa-Francorchamps in 1983, before returning to Zolder one final time in 1984. Fittingly, Ferrari driver Michele Alboreto won the race carrying Villeneuve's #27 on his car. Since, the Belgian Grand Prix has permanently moved to Spa.

Zolder has also been used for cycling events including the UCI Road World Championships twice in 1969 and 2002 and the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in 1970, 2002 and 2016. The latter saw the first confirmed use of mechanical doping when Femke Van den Driessche was found to have a secret motor inside her bike.[2] Since 2009, Circuit Zolder has hosted a cyclo-cross race in December for the World Cup. The circuit hosted the UCI BMX World Championships in 2015.[3] In 2019 and for the first time ever the UCI BMX World Championships returned to Circuit Zolder.

In the beginning of 2006, the track underwent safety adaptations. In 2007, the track hosted a Champ Car World Series Grand Prix, and a round of the FIA GT Championship. The track was venue of a round of the World Series by Renault championship from 2003 to 2006, and replaced Zandvoort as site for the Masters of Formula 3 in 2007 and 2008. Zolder was featured on the car programme Top Gear in 2008. In the episode, the show's British hosts competed against their German counterparts from D MOTOR. Zolder hosted also the FIA WTCC Race of Belgium in 2010, 2011, and 2020. The last race they drove in 2011 was won by Rob Huff in a Chevrolet and Gabriele Tarquini in a SEAT. The WTCC then disappeared from the Belgian circuits until in 2014 the circus returned to Spa.

At this time, mainly the Blancpain Sprint Series and the BRCC national championship hosted a race in Zolder. The 24 Hours of Zolder endurance event is also held as a stand-alone event around the end of August or the beginning of September. NASCAR Whelen Euro Series have hosted their final race of the season in Zolder since 2015.[4]

In 2019, for the first time in 17 years, the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters returned to Circuit Zolder.[5] But the circuit lost its place in the DTM calendar to Spa-Francorchamps in 2022.

Noise limits

In general Circuit Zolder has a noise limit of 96 dbA, which is measured at 2 points along the track. One is just after turn 4 (Bianchi) and the second one is between turn 7 and 8. These can be recognised by blue poles. During international test days and most racing weekends, the noise limits are removed.

Events

Current
Former
Cycling

Lap records

The unofficial all-time outright track record is 1:12.821, set by Sébastien Bourdais in a Panoz DP01, during 2nd qualifying for the 2007 Belgian Champ Car Grand Prix. As of September 2023, the fastest official race lap records at the Circuit Zolder are listed as:

CategoryTimeDriverVehicleEvent
Grand Prix Circuit: 4.010 km (2002–present)
1:14.089 2007 Belgian Champ Car Grand Prix
1:14.108[6] 2019 Zolder Maxx Formula round
1:17.781[7] 2006 Zolder Formula Renault 3.5 Series round
1:18.806 2010 Zolder Superleague Formula round
1:20.140[8] 2020 2nd Zolder DTM round
1:22.162[9]
1.24.038 2010 Zolder Formula Two round
1.25.680 2007 Masters of Formula 3
1:26.220[10] 2009 FIA GT Zolder 2 Hours
1:27.257[11] 2021 Zolder DTM round
1:28.094[12] 2006 Zolder Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 round
1:29.629 2019 Zolder W Series round
1:30.756[13] 2023 Zolder Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux round
1:31.449[14] 2008 FIA GT Zolder 2 Hours
1:31.676[15] 2017 Zolder IDM Superbike round
1:32.040[16] 2002 Zolder Formula Volkswagen Germany round
1:32.523 2008 FIA GT Zolder 2 Hours
1:33.107[17] 2006 Zolder Eurocup Mégane Trophy round
1:34.775[18] 2008 Zolder Formula BMW Europe round
1:35.253[19] 2019 Zolder IDM Supersport round
1:35.340[20] 2011 Zolder ADAC Formel Masters round
1:36.506[21] 2020 Zolder DTM Trophy round
1:36.724 2020 FIA WTCR Race of Belgium
1:36.901[22] 2020 Zolder NASCAR Whelen Euro Series round
1:39.249[23] 2002 Zolder V8Star round
1:39.277[24] 2013 Zolder Formula Renault 1.6 NEC round
1:39.517 2011 FIA WTCC Race of Belgium
1:39.949[25] 2022 Zolder ETCR round
1:42.558[26] 2002 2nd Zolder DTM round
1:46.092[27] 2018 Zolder IDM Supersport 300 round
1:52.798[28] 2022 Zolder ERA round
1:53.734[29] 2015 Zolder ETC round
1:57.165[30]
Grand Prix Circuit: 4.184 km (1986–2001)
1:28.270[31] 1988 Zolder F3000 round
1:29.750[32] 1999 Zolder New Race Festival
1:31.170[33]
1:31.348[34] 2001 FIA GT Zolder 500km
1:31.552[35] 1997 International Sports Racing Series Zolder
1:31.605[36] 2001 Zolder Formula Renault 2000 Eurocup round
1:33.331[37] 2001 Zolder Formula Volkswagen Germany round
1:35.136 2001 FIA GT Zolder 500km
1:35.432[38] 2001 Zolder ESTC round
1:35.636[39] 1999 FIA GT Zolder 500km
1:38.050[40] [41] 1994 Zolder DTM round
1:38.708[42] 1996 Zolder IDM Superbike round
1:39.275[43] 1999 Zolder Belcar round
1:42.110[44] 1992 Zolder DTM round
1:48.400[45] 1993 Internationales ADAC Westfalen-Pokal-Rennen Zolder
Grand Prix Circuit: 4.262 km (1975–1985)
1:19.294 1984 Belgian Grand Prix
1:25.090[46] 1983 Zolder F2 round
1:27.040[47] 1983 Bergischer Löwe Zolder
1:30.800[48] 1984 Zolder European F3 round
1:30.900[49] 1975 Zolder F5000 round
1:31.050[50] 1981 Int. 15. ADAC-Westfalen-Pokalrennen Zolde
1:34.900[51]
1:38.420[52] 1983 Bergischer Löwe Zolder
1:39.140[53] 1979 Zolder BMW M1 Procar round
1:40.820 1980 Belgian motorcycle Grand Prix
1:42.000[54] 1978 Zolder French Formula Renault round
1:44.800[55] 1977 13e Bekers de Toekomst, Coupes de l'Avenir
1:45.200[56] 1977 Zolder ETCC round
1:46.530[57] 1985 Zolder ETCC round
Grand Prix Circuit: 4.220 km (1973–1974)
1:23.850[58] 1974 Zolder F5000 round
1:25.420 1973 Belgian Grand Prix
Original Grand Prix Circuit: 4.186 km (1963–1972)
1:26.400[59] 1970 Grote Prijs van Limborg
1:41.000[60] 1963 Grote Prijs van Zolder Junior
1:48.400[61] 1968 Zolder ETCC round
1:50.006[62] 1967 Zolder ETCC round

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Circuit Zolder .
  2. News: Cyclist Femke Van den Driessche caught with hidden motor inside bike during race. 1 February 2016. New York Daily News. Nathaniel. Vinton. 29 February 2016.
  3. Web site: UCI BMX World Championships . . Circuit Zolder . 25 July 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150923203734/http://www.circuit-zolder.be/en/events/uci-bmx-world-championships-2015 . 23 September 2015 .
  4. Web site: NASCAR Whelen Euro Series: What's New In 2015. whelen.com. Whelen. 20 April 2015. 5 August 2019. 5 August 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190805102410/https://www.whelen.com/motorsports/article%3Fa%3Dnascar-whelen-eurp-series-whats-new-in%26date%3D2015-04-20%252014:18:03. dead.
  5. News: DTM abandons night-race format at Misano round for 2019. Khorounzhiy. Valentin. autosport.com. Autosport. 12 January 2019. 5 August 2019.
  6. Web site: H. ESSERS Belgian Truck Grand Prix - Circuit Zolder, length 4000 m 13. September - 15. September 2019 - MAXX Formula Result Race 1 . 14 September 2019 . 21 July 2024.
  7. Web site: 2006 Formula Renault 3.5 Zolder Race 1 Statistics . 29 April 2006 . 4 January 2023.
  8. Web site: DTM 2020 » Zolder Round 16 Results . 18 October 2020 . 4 January 2023.
  9. Web site: 2003 Formula Nissan Zolder (Race 1) . 27 April 2003 . 13 May 2024.
  10. Web site: FIA GT Championship Zolder 2009 . 25 October 2009 . 5 April 2021.
  11. Web site: 2021 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters Zolder Race 2 Statistics . 8 August 2021 . 27 January 2023.
  12. Web site: 2006 Formula Renault 2.0 Euro Zolder Race 1 Statistics . 29 April 2006 . 4 January 2023.
  13. Web site: Volumex Belgian Truck Grand Prix - Circuit Zolder, length 4000 m - 09. - 10. September 2023 - Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux - Result Race 2 . 10 September 2023 . 10 September 2023.
  14. Web site: FIA GT Championship Zolder 2008 . 19 October 2008 . 5 April 2021.
  15. Web site: 2017 IDM Zolder IDM Superbike 1000 2. Race . 9 July 2017 . 30 December 2022.
  16. Web site: 3/4th Round Formula Volkswagen Zolder July 6/7th - Result 4th round, Zolder/B, July 7, 2002 (18 laps) . https://web.archive.org/web/20140903054653/http://www.vwmotorsport.com/ViewArticle.aspx?article_id=22 . 7 July 2002 . 3 September 2014 . 30 May 2024 . dead.
  17. Web site: Round 1: Zolder Eurocup Megane Trophy Results Booklet . 4 May 2006 . 26 June 2022.
  18. Web site: 2008 Formula BMW Europe Zolder (Race 1) . 1 June 2008 . 5 July 2022.
  19. Web site: 2019 IDM Zolder IDM SSP600-STK600 1. Race . 22 June 2019 . 30 December 2022.
  20. Web site: ADAC Masters Weekend Zolder 10.06. - 12.06.2011 Circuit Zolder ADAC Formel Ergebnis Rennen 2 . 12 June 2011 . 27 July 2022.
  21. Web site: DTM Trophy Zolder 2020 . 18 October 2020 . 16 May 2022.
  22. Web site: 2020 NASCAR GP Belgium Round 2 Results . 4 October 2020 . 10 May 2021.
  23. Web site: 2002 German V8 Touring Cars Round 5: Zolder, 7th July . 7 July 2002 . 19 July 2022.
  24. Web site: Truck Grand Prix 2013 - Formula Renaults 1.6 - Race 1 . 22 September 2013 . 6 January 2023.
  25. Web site: FIA ETCR - Race of Zolder 8-10 July 2022 Pool Furious - Semi Final 2 - 300KW - 40s. PU . 10 July 2022 . 10 July 2022.
  26. Web site: 2002 Zolder DTM . . 5 May 2002 . 1 January 2023.
  27. Web site: 2018 IDM Zolder IDM SSP300 2. Race . 8 July 2018 . 30 December 2022.
  28. Web site: Circuit Zolder 8-10 July 2022 ERA Race - Final Ranking . 10 July 2022 . 10 July 2022.
  29. Web site: ETC Cup 2015 » Zolder Round 9 Results . 20 September 2015 . 6 January 2023.
  30. Web site: Volumex Belgian Truck Grand Prix - Circuit Zolder, length 4000 m - 09. - 10. September 2023 - Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship - Provisional Result Race 3 . 10 September 2023 . 10 September 2023.
  31. Web site: 1988 Zolder F3000 . . 16 October 1988 . 18 May 2024.
  32. Web site: 1999 New Race Festival Ergebnis Rennen . 18 April 1999 . 15 July 2022.
  33. Web site: Interserie Zolder 1992 . 9 August 1992 . 18 July 2022.
  34. Web site: FIA GT Championship Zolder 2001 . 20 May 2001 . 5 April 2021.
  35. Web site: International Sports Racing Series Zolder 1997 . 3 August 1997 . 5 April 2021.
  36. Web site: 2001 Formula Renault Eurocup - Zolder - Round 5, 19 May . 19 May 2001 . 27 May 2024.
  37. Web site: 2001 German Formula Volkswagen - Round 4: Zolder, 19th August . 19 August 2001 . 30 May 2024.
  38. Web site: European Super Touring Championship 2001 » Zolder Round 9 Results . 20 May 2001 . 4 May 2022.
  39. Web site: FIA GT Championship Zolder 1999 . 18 July 1999 . 4 January 2023.
  40. Web site: Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft 1994 » Zolder Round 1 Results . 10 April 1994 . 4 January 2023.
  41. Web site: Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft 1994 » Zolder Round 2 Results . 10 April 1994 . 4 January 2023.
  42. Web site: 1996-07-20 to 1996-07-21 International Pro-Superbike Championship Race 1 . 21 July 1996 . 18 May 2024.
  43. Web site: Belcar Zolder BM 1999 . 17 October 1999 . 27 January 2023.
  44. Web site: Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft 1992 » Zolder Round 1 Results . 4 April 1992 . 16 May 2022.
  45. Web site: ADAC GT Cup Zolder 1993 . 30 May 1993 . 5 January 2023.
  46. Web site: 1983 Zolder F2 . . 21 August 1983 . 4 May 2022.
  47. Web site: DRM Zolder 1983 . 20 March 1983 . 5 January 2023.
  48. Web site: 1984 Zolder European F3 . . 15 April 1984 . 16 May 2022.
  49. Web site: 1975 Zolder F5000 . . 27 April 1975 . 4 May 2022.
  50. Web site: DRM Zolder Westfalen-Pokal 1981 . 23 August 1981 . 5 January 2023.
  51. Web site: Interserie Zolder 1976 . 13 June 1976 . 18 July 2022.
  52. Web site: Rennsport Trophäe Zolder 1983 . 20 March 1983 . 5 January 2023.
  53. Web site: 1979 Zolder BMW Procar . . 12 May 1979 . 9 May 2022.
  54. Web site: 1978 Championnat de France Formule Renault Zolder . 21 May 1978 . 18 May 2024.
  55. Web site: Belgium Zolder 1977 . 4 September 1977 . 5 January 2023.
  56. Web site: ETCC Zolder 1977 . 25 September 1977 . 4 May 2022.
  57. Web site: 1985 Zolder ETCC . . 29 September 1985 . 4 May 2022.
  58. Web site: 1974 Zolder F5000 . . 27 April 1974 . 4 May 2022.
  59. Web site: 1970 Zolder F2 . . 24 May 1970 . 4 May 2022.
  60. Web site: 1963 Grote Prijs van Zolder Junior . 25 August 1963 . 15 July 2022.
  61. Web site: Zolder 1 Hour - Division 2 1968 . 5 May 1968 . 4 May 2022.
  62. Web site: European Touring Car Cup Zolder - Division 2 1967 . 21 May 1967 . 16 May 2022.

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