Circuit Zolder – everything you need to know

Heusden-Zolder

Circuit Zolder is a circuit in Flanders, near the village of Viversel. The circuit was designed by Dutchman John Hugenholtz senior and opened in 1963. The track is 4,011 meters long and contains 11 turns including three spectacular chicanes. The track was originally built for the local motorcycle club, which wanted to make things a little more professional. The circuit is not only used for racing with roaring engines: BMX competitions and cycling races are also held on the track located in the municipality of Heusden-Zolder.

Racing Classes

After Circuit Zolder was exclusively a circuit for the motorcycle club in its first year, Formula 2 came around the corner in 1964. As a result, the circuit gained increasing international exposure. Starting in the early 1970s, Formula One (temporarily) left Circuit Spa Franchorchamps for safety reasons, giving them a chance to host a Formula One race in Zolder. In 1973, the time had come: Formula One “debuted” on the Flemish circuit. Nowadays, F1 races are (unfortunately) no longer held. However, many other races do take place on the circuit, such as the DTM, the famous 24 Hours of Zolder and the Belgian Truck Grand Prix.

Formula One history of Circuit Zolder

The GP of Belgium has taken place a total of 10 times at the Belgian circuit, with Ferrari being the big winner. Indeed, the Italian team won four of the 10 races, including two with German racing legend Niki Lauda. In 1985, the Belgian GP moved back to Spa, Belgium. The low point of Formula One at the Flanders circuit was the crash of Canadian driver Gilles Villeneuve, when he collided with RAM driver Jochen Mass’ car at full speed in qualifying.