GP Zolder - Belgium

16/17 July 2011 - Zolder, also known as Circuit Terlaemen, is an undulating 3.977 km (2.471-mile) motorsport race track in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium. The only race track on Flemmish soil finds its roots in the late 50’s.

Circuit Website

The Circuit

In the Flemish-speaking part of Belgium, the Omloop Terlamen is situated close to the village of Zolder. Built in the early sixties, and opened in 1965, the track undulates through pine-covered sand hills. The area is dotted with lakes and the vast Albert Canal passes close to the track.

Directions:

By train & bus

The easiest way to reach Circuit Zolder by public transport is through the Hasselt train station. This station is directly connected with most Belgian cities. More info about the train schedules: www.nmbs.be
Coming from this train station, bus number 23 goes to Circuit Zolder. There is a bus stop at the main entrance (GATE 1) of Circuit Zolder. More info about bus schedules: www.delijn.be

Nearby Airports

Brussel Airport - Zaventem:
Belgium's main airport, located 80 km west of Circuit Zolder.
Intercontinental and continental flights
The Airport is connected with railroad network (NMBS - Nationale spoorwegen), and provides bus, taxi and car rental services.
www.brusselsairport.be

Brussel South - Charleroi Airport:
Located 120 km west / south-west of Circuit Zolder
Continental flights
The Airport is connected with railroad network (NMBS - Nationale spoorwegen), and provides bus, taxi and car rental services.
www.charleroi-airport.com

Liege Airport - Bièrset:
Located 60 km South of Circuit Zolder
Continental flights
he airport provides bus, taxi and car rental services.
www.liegeairport.com

Maastricht Aachen Airport:
Located 40 km East of Circuit Zolder
Continental flights
The airport provides bus, taxi and car rental services.
www.maa.nl

Eindhoven Airport:
Located 55 km North of Circuit Zolder
Continental flights
The airport provides bus, taxi and car rental services.
www.eindhovenairport.nl

History

The first major international event was the Limbourg Grand Prix for Formula 2 cars in 1966, won by Jack Brabham. The circuit was originally fast but the addition of two chicanes has made it safer though a lot less interesting. After Spa fell from the F1 calendar in 1971 Zolder was upgraded and shared the race with the unloved Nivelles. The first Grand Prix was in 1973 - the track was 4.220 km long and lasted 70 laps. François Cevert clocked up a lap record in a Tyrrell-Ford and Stewart, Cévert and Fittipaldi made up the first podium in the F1 history of Zolder. There were back-to-back victories for Niki Lauda in 1975 and 1976 and in 1977 Gunnar Nilsson scored his only F1 victory at Zolder in his Lotus. Three years later Didier Pironi became a first time winner at the track in his Ligier.

In 1984, F1 left Zolder for the last time. Major changes were made at Zolder in 1986 including the new Villeneuve chicane, the reprofiling of many of the corners, extra curbs and concrete barriers. The circuit remains an important national facility hosting a round of the World Series by Renault championship, as well as the national GT Belcar championship, including the Euphony 24 Hours of Zolder, and many more.

Tourist attractions

Belgium is a small country with approx. 10 million inhabitants, but has a tremendous richness in tourist attractions, which have the advantage of all being close one to each other.

The country is divided by a cultural and a language line, which runs from east to west across the country. The northern part of Belgium is the Flemish region, where people speak the Dutch language. The Flemish coastline has beautiful beaches and plenty of nice seaside towns. Close to the sea, you should visit Bruges.

The Zolder circuit is situated in Heusden-Zolder, and average sized community in the heart of Limburg, which is considered to be the gastronomic "mecca" of the region. The area has well conserved heath fields, nature preserves, lakes and forests, and is considered "the green lung" for the province capitol Hasselt. A well equipped cultural centre provides a perfect base for an animated cultural life. The circuit is considered to be the one of the biggest tourist attractions in the area, attracting over 700.000 visitors a year, however other attractions include the historic castle of Vogelsanck in Zolder, the former Zolder coal mine, the Woutershof museum and the 12th century Bovy Estate which is now a educational / touristic park.

Throughout the region, there are the Cycle Route Networks where numerous cycle routes are connected though loops by an extremely user-friendly sign-posting system, including border-crossing into the Netherlands. Surfing, sailing and golf are also possible on sites just a short distance away.