Original Grand Prix Circuit (1963–1972)
 | |
| Location | Heusden-Zolder, Belgium |
|---|---|
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) CEST (DST) |
| Coordinates | 50°59′20″N 5°15′20″E / 50.98889°N 5.25556°E / 50.98889; 5.25556 |
| FIA Grade | 2 |
| Opened | 19 June 1963; 61 years ago (1963-06-19) |
| Major events | Current: ETRC Belgian Truck Grand Prix (1987, 1989–1995, 1997–present) NASCAR Whelen Euro Series (2015–present) 24 Hours of Zolder (1983–2019, 2021–present) TCR Europe (2016, 2020, 2024) Former: Formula One Belgian Grand Prix (1973, 1975–1982, 1984) Grand Prix motorcycle racing Belgian motorcycle Grand Prix (1980) FIA WTCR Race of Belgium (2010–2011, 2020) FIM EWC (1971–1972, 2006) Sidecar World Championship (1980) FIA ETCR (2022) DTM (2002, 2019–2021) Blancpain GT Series (2014–2015, 2017–2018) W Series (2019) Superleague Formula (2008–2011) Champ Car Belgian Champ Car Grand Prix (2007) FIA GT (1999–2001, 2007–2009) Masters of Formula 3 (2007–2008) |
| Website | http://www.circuit-zolder.be |
| Grand Prix Circuit (2002–present) | |
| Length | 4.010 km (2.492 miles) |
| Turns | 10 |
| Race lap record | 1:14.089 ( Sébastien Bourdais, Panoz DP01, 2007, Champ Car) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1986–2001) | |
| Length | 4.184 km (2.600 miles) |
| Turns | 10 |
| Race lap record | 1:28.270 ( Olivier Grouillard, Lola T88/50, 1988, F3000) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1975–1985) | |
| Length | 4.262 km (2.648 miles) |
| Turns | 15 |
| Race lap record | 1:19.294 ( René Arnoux, Ferrari 126C4, 1984, F1) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1973–1974) | |
| Length | 4.220 km (2.622 miles) |
| Turns | 14 |
| Race lap record | 1:23.850 ( Teddy Pilette, Chevron B28, 1974, F5000) |
| Original Grand Prix Circuit (1963–1972) | |
| Length | 4.186 km (2.601 miles) |
| Turns | 12 |
| Race lap record | 1:26.400 ( Jochen Rindt, Lotus 69, 1970, F2) |
The Circuit Zolder, also known as Circuit Terlamen,[1] is an undulating 4.011 km (2.492 mi) motorsport race track in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium.
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 821ofJochen 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-Francorchampsin1983, 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 1985, 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.
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.
Circuit Zolder layout history
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:
