# Circuit Zolder

The Circuit Zolder, also known as Circuit Terlamen, is an undulating 4.011 km (2.492 mi) 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 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. 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. 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.
In 2019, for the first time in 17 years, the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters returned to Circuit Zolder. 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

* Original Grand Prix Circuit (1963–1972)
* Grand Prix Circuit (1973–1974)
* Grand Prix Circuit (1975–1985)
* Grand Prix Circuit (1986–2001)
* Grand Prix Circuit (2002–present)

## Events
### Current

* April: DMV Goodyear Racing Days
* May: Belcar New Race Festival
* June: Zolder Motor Revival
* July: Supercar Challenge Supercar Madness, Historic Grand Prix Zolder
* August: Belcar 24 Hours of Zolder
* September: FIA European Truck Racing Championship Belgian Truck Grand Prix, Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux
* October: NASCAR Euro Series NASCAR GP Belgium - EuroNASCAR Finals, Fun Cup, Belcar

### Former

* ADAC Formel Masters (2011)
* ADAC GT Masters (2007, 2011)
* ATS Formel 3 Cup (1972–1973, 1977–1979, 1981–1988, 1990–1994, 2000, 2011)
* Auto GP (2001, 2004, 2009, 2017)
* BMW M1 Procar Championship (1979)
* Blancpain Sprint Series (2014–2015, 2017–2018)
* BOSS GP (2000, 2003–2010, 2013, 2015, 2017)
* British Formula 3 International Series (1976, 1984–1986)
* Champ Car World Series
** Belgian Champ Car Grand Prix (2007)
* Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (2002, 2019–2021)
* Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (1984–1994)
* DTM Trophy (2020)
* ERA Championship (2022)
* Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 (2001, 2005–2007)
* Eurocup Mégane Trophy (2005–2007)
* European Formula 5000 Championship (1974–1975)
* European Formula Two Championship (1975, 1980, 1983)
* European Touring Car Championship (1963–1968, 1977–1988, 2001)
* European Touring Car Cup (2015, 2017)
* FIA ETCR – eTouring Car World Cup (2022)
* FIA European Formula 3 Championship (1977–1984)
* FIA Formula Two Championship (2010)
* FIA GT Championship (1999–2001, 2007–2009)
* FIA GT1 World Championship (2011–2012)
* FIM Endurance World Championship (1971–1972, 2006)
* Formula 750 (1977)
* Formula BMW ADAC (2002)
* Formula BMW Europe (2008)
* Formula One
** Belgian Grand Prix (1973, 1975–1982, 1984)
* Formula Renault 3.5 Series (2005–2006)
* Formula Volkswagen Germany (2001–2002)
* French Formula Renault Championship (1978–1982)
* Grand Prix motorcycle racing
** Belgian motorcycle Grand Prix (1980)
* GT4 European Series (2009, 2011, 2018)
* IDM Superbike Championship [de] (1996, 2013–2019)
* International Formula 3000 (1988)
* International GTSprint Series (2013)
* International Sports Racing Series (1997)
* Masters of Formula 3 (2007–2008)
* Porsche Carrera Cup Germany (1989–1998, 2002)
* SEAT León Eurocup (2010)
* Sidecar World Championship (1980)
* Super Tourenwagen Cup (1994–1997)
* Superleague Formula
** Superleague Formula round Belgium (2008–2011)
* Superstars Series (2013)
* TCR Europe Touring Car Series (2016, 2020, 2024)
* V8Star Series (2002)
* W Series (2019)
* World Series by Nissan (2003–2004)
* World Touring Car Championship
** FIA WTCC Race of Belgium (2010–2011)
* World Touring Car Cup
** FIA WTCR Race of Belgium (2020)

### Cycling

* 1981 Tour de France
* 2002 UCI Road World Championships
* 2002 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships
* 2016 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships
* 2019 UCI BMX World Championships
* Grand Prix Erik De Vlaeminck
* Telenet SuperPrestige Cyclocross

## 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:
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event |
| Grand Prix Circuit: 4.010 km (2002–present) |||||
| Champ Car | 1:14.089 | Sébastien Bourdais | Panoz DP01 | 2007 Belgian Champ Car Grand Prix |
| F1 | 1:14.108 | Klaas Zwart [de] | Jaguar R5 | 2019 Zolder Maxx Formula round |
| Formula Renault 3.5 | 1:17.781 | Pastor Maldonado | Dallara T05 | 2006 Zolder Formula Renault 3.5 Series round |
| Superleague Formula | 1:18.806 | Davide Rigon | Panoz DP09 | 2010 Zolder Superleague Formula round |
| Class 1 Touring Cars | 1:20.140 | René Rast | Audi RS5 Turbo DTM 2020 | 2020 2nd Zolder DTM round |
| Formula Nissan | 1:22.162 | Franck Montagny | Dallara SN01 | 2003 Zolder World Series by Nissan round |
| FTwo (2009–2012) | 1.24.038 | Sergey Afanasyev | Williams JPH1 | 2010 Zolder Formula Two round |
| Formula Three | 1.25.680 | James Jakes | Dallara F305 | 2007 Masters of Formula 3 |
| GT1 (GTS) | 1:26.220 | Andrea Bertolini | Maserati MC12 GT1 | 2009 FIA GT Zolder 2 Hours |
| GT3 | 1:27.257 | Nico Müller | Audi R8 LMS Evo | 2021 Zolder DTM round |
| Formula Renault 2.0 | 1:28.094 | Xavier Maassen | Tatuus FR2000 | 2006 Zolder Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 round |
| Formula Regional | 1:29.629 | Beitske Visser | Tatuus F3 T-318 | 2019 Zolder W Series round |
| Porsche Carrera Cup | 1:30.756 | Parijs Glenn | Porsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup | 2023 Zolder Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux round |
| GT2 | 1:31.449 | Gianmaria Bruni | Ferrari F430 GT2 | 2008 FIA GT Zolder 2 Hours |
| Superbike | 1:31.676 | Markus Reiterberger | BMW S1000RR | 2017 Zolder IDM Superbike round |
| Formula Volkswagen | 1:32.040 | Sven Barth | Reynard Formula Volkswagen | 2002 Zolder Formula Volkswagen Germany round |
| FIA GT Group-2 | 1:32.523 | Stefan Mücke | Aston Martin Vantage GT2 | 2008 FIA GT Zolder 2 Hours |
| Eurocup Mégane Trophy | 1:33.107 | Jaap van Lagen | Renault Mégane Renault Sport | 2006 Zolder Eurocup Mégane Trophy round |
| Formula BMW | 1:34.775 | Esteban Gutiérrez | Mygale FB02 | 2008 Zolder Formula BMW Europe round |
| Supersport | 1:35.253 | Marc Buchner | Yamaha YZF-R6 | 2019 Zolder IDM Supersport round |
| ADAC Formel Masters | 1:35.340 | Artem Markelov | Dallara Formulino | 2011 Zolder ADAC Formel Masters round |
| GT4 | 1:36.506 | Lucas Mauron [de] | Audi R8 LMS GT4 Evo | 2020 Zolder DTM Trophy round |
| TCR Touring Car | 1:36.724 | Nathanaël Berthon | Audi RS 3 LMS TCR | 2020 FIA WTCR Race of Belgium |
| Stock car racing | 1:36.901 | Alon Day | Chevrolet Camaro NASCAR | 2020 Zolder NASCAR Whelen Euro Series round |
| V8Star Series | 1:39.249 | Roland Asch | V8Star car | 2002 Zolder V8Star round |
| Formula Renault 1.6 | 1:39.277 | Roy Geerts [pl] | Signatech FR 1.6 | 2013 Zolder Formula Renault 1.6 NEC round |
| Super 2000 | 1:39.517 | Robert Huff | Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T | 2011 FIA WTCC Race of Belgium |
| ETCR | 1:39.949 | Nicky Catsburg | Hyundai Veloster N ETCR | 2022 Zolder ETCR round |
| DTM | 1:42.558 | Laurent Aiello | Abt-Audi TT-R DTM | 2002 2nd Zolder DTM round |
| Supersport 300 | 1:46.092 | Victor Steeman | KTM RC 390 R | 2018 Zolder IDM Supersport 300 round |
| ERA | 1:52.798 | Michelangelo Amendola | Mitsu-Bachi F110e | 2022 Zolder ERA round |
| Super 1600 | 1:53.734 | Niklas Mackschin | Ford Fiesta 1.6 16V | 2015 Zolder ETC round |
| Truck racing | 1:57.165 | Norbert Kiss | MAN TGS | 2023 Zolder ETRC round |
| Grand Prix Circuit: 4.184 km (1986–2001) |||||
| F3000 | 1:28.270 | Olivier Grouillard | Lola T88/50 | 1988 Zolder F3000 round |
| Formula Three | 1:29.750 | Christijan Albers | Dallara F399 | 1999 Zolder New Race Festival |
| LMP | 1:31.170 | Manuel Reuter | Kremer-Porsche CK7 Spyder | 1992 Internationale AvD - EG - Troophy Zolder |
| GT1 (GTS) | 1:31.348 | Mike Hezemans [nl] | Chrysler Viper GTS-R | 2001 FIA GT Zolder 500km |
| WSC | 1:31.552 | Didier Theys | Ferrari 333 SP | 1997 International Sports Racing Series Zolder |
| Formula Renault 2.0 | 1:31.605 | Ronnie Quintarelli | Tatuus FR2000 | 2001 Zolder Formula Renault 2000 Eurocup round |
| Formula Volkswagen | 1:33.331 | Marko Nevalainen [pl] | Reynard Formula Volkswagen | 2001 Zolder Formula Volkswagen Germany round |
| N-GT | 1:35.136 | Christian Pescatori | Ferrari 360 Modena N-GT | 2001 FIA GT Zolder 500km |
| Super Touring | 1:35.432 | Gabriele Tarquini | Honda Accord | 2001 Zolder ESTC round |
| GT2 | 1:35.636 | Julian Bailey | Lister Storm GT | 1999 FIA GT Zolder 500km |
| Class 1 Touring Cars | 1:38.050 | Nicola Larini Alessandro Nannini | Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI | 1994 Zolder DTM round |
| Superbike | 1:38.708 | Christer Lindholm [it] | Ducati 916 | 1996 Zolder IDM Superbike round |
| GT1 | 1:39.275 | Bert Longin | Dauer 962 LM | 1999 Zolder Belcar round |
| Group A | 1:42.110 | Klaus Ludwig | Mercedes 190E 2.5-16 Evo2 | 1992 Zolder DTM round |
| Group N | 1:48.400 | Johnny Cecotto | BMW M3 GTR | 1993 Internationales ADAC Westfalen-Pokal-Rennen Zolder |
| Grand Prix Circuit: 4.262 km (1975–1985) |||||
| F1 | 1:19.294 | René Arnoux | Ferrari 126C4 | 1984 Belgian Grand Prix |
| Formula Two | 1:25.090 | Jonathan Palmer | Ralt RH6/83 | 1983 Zolder F2 round |
| Group C | 1:27.040 | John Fitzpatrick | Porsche 956 | 1983 Bergischer Löwe Zolder |
| Formula Three | 1:30.800 | John Nielsen | Ralt RT3 | 1984 Zolder European F3 round |
| Formula 5000 | 1:30.900 | Ian Ashley | Lola T400 | 1975 Zolder F5000 round |
| Group 5 | 1:31.050 | Manfred Winkelhock | Ford Capri III Turbo | 1981 Int. 15. ADAC-Westfalen-Pokalrennen Zolde |
| Group 6 | 1:34.900 | Martin Raymond | Chevron B31 | 1976 Grote Prijs van Limburg |
| Group B | 1:38.420 | Harald Grohs | BMW M1 | 1983 Bergischer Löwe Zolder |
| BMW M1 Procar | 1:39.140 | Elio de Angelis | BMW M1 Procar | 1979 Zolder BMW M1 Procar round |
| 500cc | 1:40.820 | Marco Lucchinelli | Suzuki RGB500 | 1980 Belgian motorcycle Grand Prix |
| Formula Renault 2.0 | 1:42.000 | Joël Gouhier | Martini MK20 | 1978 Zolder French Formula Renault round |
| Group 4 | 1:44.800 | Raymond Raus | Porsche 934 | 1977 13e Bekers de Toekomst, Coupes de l'Avenir |
| Group 2 | 1:45.200 | Dieter Quester | BMW 3.0 CSL | 1977 Zolder ETCC round |
| Group A | 1:46.530 | Gianfranco Brancatelli | Volvo 240 Turbo | 1985 Zolder ETCC round |
| Grand Prix Circuit: 4.220 km (1973–1974) |||||
| Formula 5000 | 1:23.850 | Teddy Pilette | Chevron B28 | 1974 Zolder F5000 round |
| F1 | 1:25.420 | François Cevert | Tyrrell 006 | 1973 Belgian Grand Prix |
| Original Grand Prix Circuit: 4.186 km (1963–1972) |||||
| Formula Two | 1:26.400 | Jochen Rindt | Lotus 69 | 1970 Grote Prijs van Limborg |
| Formula Junior | 1:41.000 | Peter Arundell | Lotus 27 | 1963 Grote Prijs van Zolder Junior |
| Group 5 | 1:48.400 | Frank Gardner | Ford Escort Mk.I Twin Cam | 1968 Zolder ETCC round |
| Group 2 | 1:50.006 | Jacques Demoulin | Alfa Romeo 1600 GTA | 1967 Zolder ETCC round |