TT Circuit Assen
The TT Circuit Assen is a motorsport race track built in 1955 and located in Assen, Netherlands. Host of the Dutch TT, it is popularly referred to as "The Cathedral of Speed" by motorcycle racing fans. The venue has the distinction of holding the most Grand Prix motorcycle races every year (except 2020) since the series was created in 1949. It has a capacity of 110,000 spectators, including 60,000 seats. Since 1992, the circuit has also been part of the World SBK calendar except for the 2020 season.
 Configuration for automobile racing  Configuration for motorcycle racing | |
| Location | Assen, Netherlands |
|---|---|
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) CEST (DST) |
| Coordinates | 52°57′42″N 6°31′24″E |
| Capacity | 110,000 |
| FIA Grade | 2 |
| Owner | Stichting Circuit van Drenthe |
| Opened | 11 July 1925 (Van Drenthe street circuit) 16 July 1955 (modern circuit) |
| Closed | 1954 (for street circuit) |
| Major events | Current: Grand Prix motorcycle racing Dutch TT (1949–2019, 2021–present) World SBK (1992–2019, 2021–present) Supercar Challenge (2001–present) Former: FIM EWC (1979–1980, 1995–1996, 2003–2006) MXGP (2015–2018) DTM (2019–2021) ETRC (2004–2005, 2009) BSB (2012–2019) ADAC GT Masters (2008–2011) Superleague Formula (2010–2011) Champ Car World Series (2007) |
| Website | www |
| Grand Prix Circuit (2006–present) | |
| Length | 4.555 km (2.831 miles) |
| Turns | 18 (12 right, 6 left) |
| Race lap record | 1:17.109 (Ingo Gerstl, Toro Rosso STR1, 2023, F1) |
| Motorcycle Circuit (2010–present) | |
| Length | 4.542 km (2.822 miles) |
| Turns | 18 (12 right, 6 left) |
| Race lap record | 1:32.500 (Aleix Espargaró, Aprilia RS-GP, 2022, MotoGP) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (2005) | |
| Length | 5.997 km (3.726 miles) |
| Turns | 25 |
| Race lap record | 2:00.991 (Valentino Rossi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 2005, MotoGP) |
| National Circuit (2005) | |
| Length | 3.851 km (2.393 miles) |
| Turns | 16 |
| Race lap record | 1:18.602 (Martin Hippe, Dallara F303, 2005, F3) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (2002–2004) | |
| Length | 6.027 km (3.745 miles) |
| Turns | 26 |
| Race lap record | 1:59.472 (Valentino Rossi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 2004, MotoGP) |
| National Circuit (2002–2004) | |
| Length | 3.904 km (2.426 miles) |
| Turns | 17 |
| Race lap record | 1:15.928 (Thomas Holzer, Dallara F302, 2004, F3) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1984–2001) | |
| Length | 6.049 km (3.759 miles) |
| Turns | 26 |
| Race lap record | 2:02.471 (Tadayuki Okada, Honda NSR500, 1999, 500cc) |
| National Circuit (1981–2001) | |
| Length | 3.919 km (2.435 miles) |
| Turns | 17 |
| Race lap record | 1:23.110 (Raymond Roche, Ducati 888 SBK, 1992, World SBK) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1981–1983) | |
| Length | 7.685 km (4.775 miles) |
| Race lap record | 2:47.470 (Kenny Roberts, Yamaha YZR500, 1983, 500cc) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1976–1980) | |
| Length | 7.717 km (4.796 miles) |
| Race lap record | 2:54.500 (Virginio Ferrari, Suzuki RG 500, 1979, 500cc) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1955–1975) | |
| Length | 7.700 km (4.785 miles) |
| Van Drenthe Circuit (1926–1954) | |
| Length | 16.536 km (10.275 miles) |
| Original Circuit (1925) | |
| Length | 28.400 km (17.650 miles) |
History
The original Assen track was first used for the 1926 Dutch TT (Tourist Trophy) race, after the first 1925 event was held on country roads through the villages of Rolde, Borger, Schoonloo and Grolloo, and organized by the Motorclub Assen en Omstreken. The brick- and semi-paved track had a length of 28.57 km (17.75 mi). The winner was Piet van Wijngaarden on a 500 cc Norton with an average speed of 91.4 km/h (56.8 mph). From 1926 on the Dutch TT was held at Assen on a street circuit through De Haar, Barteldsbocht, Oude Tol, Hooghalen, Laaghalen and Laaghalerveen.
In 1951 the Italian Umberto Masetti took the record on a 500 cc Gilera with an average speed of 162.35 km/h (100.88 mph). In 1954, Geoff Duke of Great Britain reached 170.69 km/h (106.06 mph). The circuit remained unchanged until 1955, when a whole new circuit was built by using a third of the original street circuit, joined with purpose-built sections, but less than a third of the length and much more like a modern road racing circuit.
In the period of 1999–2002, the circuit invested millions in upgrades. In 1999, the circuit management placed a new main grandstand and hospitality buildings. In 2000, a new Race Control tower was built, as well as 34 newly equipped pit boxes, a new media and medical centre. Between September 2001 and April 2002, another €9 million was spent on the enlargement of the paddock area from 40 to 60.000 square metres. This upgrade meant that the Veenslang and Ruskenhoek corners had to be altered. The main straight has also moved about 50 metres eastwards and a new two-lane tunnel now connects the paddock with the main entrance road and the media accreditation / welcome centre. The Mandeveen and Duikersloot corners have been moved back by 10 metres to accommodate larger run-offs and gravel beds at the southern part of the circuit. That part of the track has also been resurfaced with new asphalt. In total, the circuit has been shortened from 6.049 km (3.759 mi) to 6.027 km (3.745 mi). The total cost of these upgrades was €23 million.[1]
In 2005, the grandstand at the Geert Timmer corner was slightly altered. In order to improve the gravel run-off length, the grandstand was made in a 'floating' manner to accommodate the extra space that was needed. The lay-out of the circuit was also slightly altered.[2]
The circuit was fundamentally redesigned again in 2006, becoming the so-called A-Style Assen TT Circuit. All alterations aside, only one section of the circuit is original; the finish line never moved. On 21 September 2009 it was announced that a new chicane will be added, after a request from the A1GP organization,[3] however A1GP was unable to start the 2009–2010 season and as a substitute the Superleague Formula replaced A1GP.
Layout history
Original Dutch TT Van Drenthe Circuit (1926–1954)
Grand Prix Circuit (1984–2001)
Grand Prix Circuit (2002–2004)
Grand Prix Circuit (2005)- Grand Prix Circuit (2006–present)
- Motorcycle Circuit (2010–present)
Current racetrack
Assen race track was built in 1955, and initially had a length of 7.705 km (4.788 mi). The current track has a length of 4.555 km (2.830 mi) with the mixture of super fast flat-out and slow corners. The longest straight is 560 m (1,840 ft).[4] The curves in Assen were traditionally banked and the surface is extremely grippy, so the riders were able to drive much faster on the course than other circuits. Today these sloped or curved bends have been modified due to safety issues.
Innovation
On 6 July 2004, the organisation announced plans for an amusement park located to the north of the track. In 2006 the northern loop was removed and the length was shortened to 4.555 km (2.830 mi). The new centre is expected to be visited by 300,000 people, and the total investment is approximately €85 million.
Events
- Current
- April: Superbike World Championship, Supersport World Championship, Supersport 300 World Championship
- June: Grand Prix motorcycle racing Dutch TT, MotoE World Championship Dutch eRace, RSG Hamburg Assen/HAT
- July: Truckstar Festival
- August: Sidecar World Championship, BOSS GP Jack’s Casino Racing Days, Supercar Challenge, Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux, GT & Prototype Challenge, IDM Superbike Championship
- September: ADAC Racing Weekend Assen, Assen Classic GP
- October: Supercar Challenge, GT & Prototype Challenge
- Former
- ADAC GT Masters (2008–2011)
- ATS Formel 3 Cup (2004–2012)
- British Superbike Championship (2012–2019)
- Champ Car World Series (2007)
- Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (2019–2021)
- European Truck Racing Championship (2004–2005, 2009)
- FIM Endurance World Championship (1979–1980, 1995–1996, 2003–2006)
- Formula 750 (1976–1979)
- Formula Renault Northern European Cup (2006–2017)
- Motocross World Championship (2015–2018)
- SMP F4 Championship (2017–2018)
- Superleague Formula (2010–2011)
- TCR Europe Touring Car Series (2018)
- W Series (2019)
Lap records
As of September 2023, the fastest official race lap records at the TT Circuit Assen are listed as:
See also
References
- Sports, Dorna. "TT Circuit Assen invests € 9 million in safety, paddock-area and new asphalt | MotoGP™". www.motogp.com.
- Sports, Dorna. "Safety upgrades | MotoGP™". www.motogp.com.
- (in Dutch) Dagblad van het Noorden Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- "Assen overview". netherlodger.com.
- "World SBK Motul Dutch Round, 22-24 April 2022 Results Tissot Superpole Race" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 24 April 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
- "2018 Assen British Superbike Race 2 Statistics". Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- "World SSP Pirelli DOC Dutch Round, 21-23 April 2023 Results Race 2" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 23 April 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
- "Supersport 300 Pirelli Dutch Round, 21-23 April 2023 Results Race 1" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- "Pirelli Dutch Round, 21-23 April 2023 Northern Talent Cup Results Race 2" (PDF). 23 April 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- "2023 JACK'S Racing Day - BOSS GP Final Results Race 2" (PDF). 13 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- "2016 GAMMA Racing Days - BOSS GP - Final Results Race 2" (PDF). 7 August 2016. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- "DTM 2020 » TT Circuit Assen Grand Prix Round 7 Results". Retrieved 23 March 2023.
- "2014 Assen Acceleration FA1". Retrieved 13 June 2021.
- "2011 Assen German F3". Retrieved 24 April 2022.
- "2023 ADAC Hansa Pokal Prototype Cup Germany Revision 1 - Provisional result Rennen 2" (PDF). 3 September 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
- "Benelux Assen 2020". Retrieved 1 January 2023.
- "Alex Cascatău - Driver Database". Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- "2021 DTM Assen Race 2 Statistics". Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- "2017 Formula Renault Northern Cup Assen (Race 2)". Retrieved 5 July 2022.
- "JACK'S Racing Days 2023 Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux Final Result Race 2" (PDF). 13 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- "HANKOOK Finalerace Assen 2018 NEZ F4 Final Results Race 1" (PDF). 20 October 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
- "2009 Assen ADAC Masters Weekend Formel ADAC Race 2" (PDF). 10 May 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
- "Dennis de Borst - Driver Database". Archived from the original on 31 December 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- "DTM Trophy Assen 2021". Retrieved 1 January 2023.
- "ADAC Masters Weekend FIA European TRC - Championship Race 3". 8 May 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
- "Assen 2-3-4 September, 2005 Superbike - Results Race 1" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 4 September 2005. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
- "Assen 2-3-4 September, 2005 Supersport - Results Race" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 4 September 2005. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
- "2005 Assen German F3 - Round 14". Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- "DKV Dutch Truck Grand Prix Super Race Trucks - Race 2 SRT/RT". 7 May 2005. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
- "Assen 6-7-8 September, 2002 Superbike - Results Race 1" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 8 September 2002. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- "Assen 5-6-7 September, 2003 Supersport - Results Race" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 7 September 2003. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
- "2004 Assen German F3". Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- "1999-09-03 to 1999-09-05 World Superbike Dutch Round Race 1". Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- "ASSEN - 7-8-9 September, 2001 Results Aggregate". 9 September 2001. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- "1992-09-11 to 1992-09-13 World Superbike Dutch Round Race 2". Retrieved 13 June 2022.
External links
