Circuit Zolder

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.

"Zolder" redirects here. For the town of the same name, see Heusden-Zolder.
Circuit Zolder
LocationHeusden-Zolder, Belgium
Time zoneCET (UTC+1)
CEST (DST)
Coordinates50°59′20″N 5°15′20″E
FIA Grade2
Opened19 June 1963 (1963-06-19)
Major eventsCurrent:
ETRC Belgian Truck Grand Prix (1987, 1989-1995, 1997-1999, 2001-present)
NASCAR Whelen Euro Series (2015–present)
24 Hours of Zolder (1983–2019, 2021–present)
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)
TCR Europe (2020)
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)
Websitewww.circuit-zolder.be
Grand Prix Circuit (2002–present)
Length4.010 km (2.492 miles)
Turns10
Race lap record1:14.089 (France Sébastien Bourdais, Panoz DP01, 2007, Champ Car)
Grand Prix Circuit (1986–2001)
Length4.184 km (2.600 miles)
Turns10
Race lap record1:28.270 (France Olivier Grouillard, Lola T88/50, 1988, F3000)
Grand Prix Circuit (1975–1985)
Length4.262 km (2.648 miles)
Turns15
Race lap record1:19.294 (France René Arnoux, Ferrari 126C4, 1984, F1)
Grand Prix Circuit (1973–1974)
Length4.220 km (2.622 miles)
Turns14
Race lap record1:23.850 (Belgium Teddy Pilette, Chevron B28, 1974, F5000)
Original Grand Prix Circuit (1963–1972)
Length4.186 km (2.601 miles)
Turns12
Race lap record1:26.400 (Austria Jochen Rindt, Lotus 69, 1970, F2)
Circuit Zolder, 6 November 2008

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 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.

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.

Layout history
Circuit Zolder layout history
  • Original Grand Prix Circuit (1963–1972)
    Original Grand Prix Circuit (1963–1972)
  • Grand Prix Circuit (1973–1974)
    Grand Prix Circuit (1973–1974)
  • Grand Prix Circuit (1975–1985)
    Grand Prix Circuit (1975–1985)
  • Grand Prix Circuit (1986–2001)
    Grand Prix Circuit (1986–2001)
  • Grand Prix Circuit (2002–present)
    Grand Prix Circuit (2002–present)

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)
Champ Car1:14.089Sébastien BourdaisPanoz DP012007 Belgian Champ Car Grand Prix
F11:14.108[6]Klaas ZwartJaguar R52019 Zolder Maxx Formula round
Formula Renault 3.51:17.781[7]Pastor MaldonadoDallara T052006 Zolder Formula Renault 3.5 Series round
Superleague Formula1:18.806Davide RigonPanoz DP092010 Zolder Superleague Formula round
Class 1 Touring Cars1:20.140[8]René RastAudi RS5 Turbo DTM 20202020 2nd Zolder DTM round
FTwo (2009–2012)1.24.038Sergey AfanasyevWilliams JPH12010 Zolder Formula Two round
Formula 31.25.680James JakesDallara F3052007 Masters of Formula 3
GT1 (GTS)1:26.220[9]Andrea BertoliniMaserati MC12 GT12009 FIA GT Zolder 2 Hours
GT31:27.257[10]Nico MüllerAudi R8 LMS Evo2021 Zolder DTM round
Formula Renault 2.01:28.094[11]Xavier MaassenTatuus FR20002006 Zolder Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 round
Formula Regional1:29.629Beitske VisserTatuus F.3 T-3182019 Zolder W Series round
Porsche Carrera Cup1:30.756[12]Parijs GlennPorsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup2023 Zolder Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux round
GT21:31.449[13]Gianmaria BruniFerrari F430 GT22008 FIA GT Zolder 2 Hours
Superbike1:31.676[14]Markus ReiterbergerBMW S1000RR2017 Zolder IDM Superbike round
FIA GT Group-21:32.523[13]Stefan MückeAston Martin Vantage GT22008 FIA GT Zolder 2 Hours
Eurocup Mégane Trophy1:33.107[15]Jaap van LagenRenault Mégane Renault Sport2006 Zolder Eurocup Mégane Trophy round
Formula BMW1:34.775[16]Esteban GutiérrezMygale FB022008 Zolder Formula BMW Europe round
Supersport1:35.253[17]Marc BuchnerYamaha YZF-R62019 Zolder IDM Supersport round
ADAC Formel Masters1:35.340[18]Artem MarkelovDallara Formulino2011 Zolder ADAC Formel Masters round
GT41:36.506[19]Lucas MauronAudi R8 LMS GT4 Evo2020 Zolder DTM Trophy round
TCR Touring Car1:36.724Nathanaël BerthonAudi RS 3 LMS TCR2020 FIA WTCR Race of Belgium
Stock car racing1:36.901[20]Alon DayChevrolet Camaro NASCAR2020 Zolder NASCAR Whelen Euro Series round
V8Star Series1:39.249[21]Roland AschV8Star car2002 Zolder V8Star round
Formula Renault 1.61:39.277[22]Roy GeertsSignatech FR 1.62013 Zolder Formula Renault 1.6 NEC Junior round
Super 20001:39.517Robert HuffChevrolet Cruze 1.6T2011 FIA WTCC Race of Belgium
ETCR1:39.949[23]Nicky CatsburgHyundai Veloster N ETCR2022 Zolder ETCR round
DTM1:42.558[24]Laurent AielloAbt-Audi TT-R DTM2002 2nd Zolder DTM round
Supersport 3001:46.092[25]Victor SteemanKTM RC 390 R2018 Zolder IDM Supersport 300 round
ERA1:52.798[26]Michelangelo AmendolaMitsu-Bachi F110e2022 Zolder ERA round
Super 16001:53.734[27]Niklas MackschinFord Fiesta 1.6 16V2015 Zolder ETC round
Truck racing1:57.165[28]Norbert KissMAN TGS2023 Zolder ETRC round
Grand Prix Circuit: 4.184 km (1986–2001)
F30001:28.270[29]Olivier GrouillardLola T88/501988 Zolder F3000 round
Formula 31:29.750[30]Christijan AlbersDallara F3991999 Zolder New Race Festival
LMP1:31.170[31]Manuel ReuterKremer-Porsche CK7 Spyder1992 Internationale AvD - EG - Troophy Zolder
GT1 (GTS)1:31.348[32]Mike HezemansChrysler Viper GTS-R2001 FIA GT Zolder 500km
WSC1:31.552[33]Didier TheysFerrari 333 SP1997 International Sports Racing Series Zolder
N-GT1:35.136[32]Christian PescatoriFerrari 360 Modena N-GT2001 FIA GT Zolder 500km
Super Touring1:35.432[34]Gabriele TarquiniHonda Accord2001 Zolder ESTC round
GT21:35.636[35]Julian BaileyLister Storm GT1999 FIA GT Zolder 500km
Class 1 Touring Cars1:38.050[36][37]Nicola Larini[lower-alpha 1]
Alessandro Nannini[lower-alpha 1]		Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI[lower-alpha 1]1994 Zolder DTM round
GT11:39.275[38]Bert LonginDauer 962 LM1999 Zolder Belcar round
Group A1:42.110[39]Klaus LudwigMercedes 190E 2.5-16 Evo21992 Zolder DTM round
Group N1:48.400[40]Johnny CecottoBMW M3 GTR1993 Internationales ADAC Westfalen-Pokal-Rennen Zolder
Grand Prix Circuit: 4.262 km (1975–1985)
F11:19.294René ArnouxFerrari 126C41984 Belgian Grand Prix
Formula Two1:25.090[41]Jonathan PalmerRalt RH6/831983 Zolder F2 round
Group C1:27.040[42]John FitzpatrickPorsche 9561983 Bergischer Löwe Zolder
Formula 31:30.800[43]John NielsenRalt RT31984 Zolder European F3 round
Formula 50001:30.900[44]Ian AshleyLola T4001975 Zolder F5000 round
Group 51:31.050[45]Manfred WinkelhockFord Capri III Turbo1981 Int. 15. ADAC-Westfalen-Pokalrennen Zolde
Group 61:34.900[46]Martin RaymondChevron B311976 Grote Prijs van Limburg
Group B1:38.420[47]Harald GrohsBMW M11983 Bergischer Löwe Zolder
BMW M1 Procar1:39.140[48]Elio de AngelisBMW M1 Procar1979 Zolder BMW M1 Procar round
500cc1:40.820Marco LucchinelliSuzuki RGB5001980 Belgian motorcycle Grand Prix
Group 41:44.800[49]Raymond RausPorsche 9341977 13e Bekers de Toekomst, Coupes de l'Avenir
Group 21:45.200[50]Dieter QuesterBMW 3.0 CSL1977 Zolder ETCC round
Group A1:46.530[51]Gianfranco BrancatelliVolvo 240 Turbo1985 Zolder ETCC round
Grand Prix Circuit: 4.220 km (1973–1974)
Formula 50001:23.850[52]Teddy PiletteChevron B281974 Zolder F5000 round
F11:25.420François CevertTyrrell 0061973 Belgian Grand Prix
Original Grand Prix Circuit: 4.186 km (1963–1972)
Formula Two1:26.400[53]Jochen RindtLotus 691970 Grote Prijs van Limborg
Formula Junior1:41.000[54]Peter ArundellLotus 271963 Grote Prijs van Zolder Junior
Group 51:48.400[55]Frank GardnerFord Escort Mk.I Twin Cam1968 Zolder ETCC round
Group 21:50.006[56]Jacques DemoulinAlfa Romeo 1600 GTA1967 Zolder ETCC round

Events
Current
Former
Cycling

Notes
  1. Both drivers took the same lap time in both races of this round.

References
  1. "Circuit Zolder".
  2. Vinton, Nathaniel (1 February 2016). "Cyclist Femke Van den Driessche caught with hidden motor inside bike during race". New York Daily News. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  3. "UCI BMX World Championships". Circuit Zolder. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  4. "NASCAR Whelen Euro Series: What's New In 2015". whelen.com. Whelen. 20 April 2015. Archived from the original on 5 August 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  5. Khorounzhiy, Valentin (12 January 2019). "DTM abandons night-race format at Misano round for 2019". autosport.com. Autosport. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  6. "H. ESSERS Belgian Truck Grand Prix Circuit Zolder, length 4000 m 13. September - 15. September 2019 >> MAXX Formula Result Race 1" (PDF). 14 September 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  7. "2006 Formula Renault 3.5 Zolder Race 1 Statistics". Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  8. "DTM 2020 » Zolder Round 16 Results". Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  9. "FIA GT Championship Zolder 2009". Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  10. "2021 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters Zolder Race 2 Statistics". Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  11. "2006 Formula Renault 2.0 Euro Zolder Race 1 Statistics". Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  12. "Volumex Belgian Truck Grand Prix - Circuit Zolder, length 4000 m - 09. - 10. September 2023 - Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux - Result Race 2" (PDF). 10 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  13. "FIA GT Championship Zolder 2008". Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  14. "2017 IDM Zolder IDM Superbike 1000 2. Race" (PDF). 9 July 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  15. "Round 1: Zolder Eurocup Megane Trophy Results Booklet" (PDF). 4 May 2006. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  16. "2008 Formula BMW Europe Zolder (Race 1)". Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  17. "2019 IDM Zolder IDM SSP600-STK600 1. Race" (PDF). 22 June 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  18. "ADAC Masters Weekend Zolder 10.06. - 12.06.2011 Circuit Zolder ADAC Formel Ergebnis Rennen 2" (PDF). 12 June 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  19. "DTM Trophy Zolder 2020". Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  20. "2020 NASCAR GP Belgium Round 2 Results". Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  21. "2002 German V8 Touring Cars Round 5: Zolder, 7th July". Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  22. "Truck Grand Prix 2013 >> Formula Renaults 1.6 - Race 1" (PDF). 22 September 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  23. "FIA ETCR - Race of Zolder 8-10 July 2022 Pool Furious - Semi Final 2 - 300KW - 40s. PU". 10 July 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  24. "2002 Zolder DTM". Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  25. "2018 IDM Zolder IDM SSP300 2. Race" (PDF). 8 July 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  26. "Circuit Zolder 8-10 July 2022 ERA Race - Final Ranking". 10 July 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  27. "ETC Cup 2015 » Zolder Round 9 Results". Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  28. "Volumex Belgian Truck Grand Prix - Circuit Zolder, length 4000 m - 09. - 10. September 2023 - Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship - Provisional Result Race 3" (PDF). 10 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  29. "1988 F3000 Zolder Race Statistics". Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  30. "1999 New Race Festival Ergebnis Rennen" (PDF). Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  31. "Interserie Zolder 1992". Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  32. "FIA GT Championship Zolder 2001". Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  33. "International Sports Racing Series Zolder 1997". Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  34. "European Super Touring Championship 2001 » Zolder Round 9 Results". Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  35. "FIA GT Championship Zolder 1999". Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  36. "Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft 1994 » Zolder Round 1 Results". Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  37. "Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft 1994 » Zolder Round 2 Results". Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  38. "Belcar Zolder BM 1999". Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  39. "Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft 1992 » Zolder Round 1 Results". Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  40. "ADAC GT Cup Zolder 1993". Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  41. "1983 Zolder F2". Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  42. "DRM Zolder 1983". Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  43. "1984 Zolder European F3". Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  44. "1975 Zolder F5000". Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  45. "DRM Zolder Westfalen-Pokal 1981". Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  46. "Interserie Zolder 1976". Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  47. "Rennsport Trophäe Zolder 1983". Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  48. "1979 Zolder BMW Procar". Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  49. "Belgium Zolder 1977". Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  50. "ETCC Zolder 1977". Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  51. "1985 Zolder ETCC". Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  52. "1974 Zolder F5000". Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  53. "1970 Zolder F2". Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  54. "1963 Grote Prijs van Zolder Junior". Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  55. "Zolder 1 Hour - Division 2 1968". Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  56. "European Touring Car Cup Zolder - Division 2 1967". Retrieved 16 May 2022.
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