Circuits of the World: Circuit Zolder

[OverTake.gg]

After visiting Brands Hatch, this time, in Circuits of the World, we move to Belgium to visit another relatively popular track: Circuit Zolder.

Circuit Zolder may not have had the longest of the stints on the F1 calendar (being there only on 10 occasions: 1973, 1975-1982 and 1984), but its name will remain forever linked to the Formula 1 world as the place where Gilles Villeneuve suffered his fatal crash in 1982, much like Imola will forever be associated to the death of Ayrton Senna.

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4.011 km... of mid/high speed with chicanes

As many circuits of the 70-80s, Zolder still is a fast and rather short circuit. While its layout could be seen as rather simple, with just 10 turns (of which 2 were chicanes, 3 nowadays), the elevation changes and the precision to get through some of the corners as quickly as possible make Zolder a rather technical track. There're no tricky corners, but those that are there need to get done right or you won't get away with it.

The track in modern racing

Although Zolder will not come back to Formula 1, the venue remains a popular place for motor racing of all sorts, hosting currently Belgian events, as well as one of the european GT1 races, and a 24 hours yearly event. Although when it comes to popularity, it's clearly overshadowed by the mythical Spa-Francorchamps circuit, far more popular among most racing fans around the world.

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(Yes, this is the full Grand Prix, with japanese commentary, but hey, as the video says, the video quality is quite nice!)

The track in Sim racing

Despite it's relative lack of popularity outside certain racing groups, Zolder has managed to appear in most modern games either through fanmade renditions or shipped as part of retail games (such as EA's Shift series). Upcoming games, such as Project CARS but also established titles like iRacing, also feature the track, guaranteeing it'll remain a popular online venue for some packed action.

In fact, Zolder has seen some action here at RaceDepartment.com

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As always, if you'd like to see a particular track featured in the next entry of Circuits of the World, feel free to point out in the comments!

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[Megdome]

Nearby Belgium, in The Netherlands: Zandvoort. Circuit with corners named like: Tarzanbocht, Bos-uit, Gerlachbocht, Hunserug! Corners where boys are seperated from the real man!!

 

[Antony Snook]

I Run it in R07 with the Race-room add on. I also have Nordiscliffe. That track burns me out over 30 mins. How did those guys keep it up for 60 mins (the length of time for a GP) It makes Monza look small