Circuit Zolder

Circuit Zolder is in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium, and is driven clockwise. It was designed by John Hugenholtz and built in 1963. The track runs over undulating ground and has 15 corners. For most Formula One races the lap measured 4.262 km, while the first race in 1973 used a 4.22 km lap. The circuit was modified for safety at the start of 2006.

Formula One brought the Belgian Grand Prix to Zolder in 1973, and Jackie Stewart won in a Tyrrell. Nivelles-Baulers hosted the race in 1972 and 1974, with Emerson Fittipaldi winning both times. From 1975 to 1982 the Grand Prix then took place at Zolder every year. Niki Lauda won for Ferrari in 1975 and 1976, followed by Gunnar Nilsson (Lotus, 1977), Mario Andretti (Lotus, 1978), Jody Scheckter (Ferrari, 1979), Didier Pironi (Ligier, 1980), Carlos Reutemann (Williams, 1981) and John Watson (McLaren, 1982).

Gilles Villeneuve died in his Ferrari during qualifying for the 1982 race, after a collision with Jochen Mass's March. The Belgian Grand Prix was held at Spa-Francorchamps in 1983 and returned to Zolder for a final time in 1984. Michele Alboreto won that race for Ferrari, running with Villeneuve's number 27. From 1985 the Grand Prix was staged at Spa-Francorchamps again.

Besides Formula One, Zolder has hosted many other events, including the 1980 Belgian motorcycle Grand Prix, the road cycling World Championships in 1969 and 2002, a Champ Car World Series round in 2007 and World Touring Car Championship races in 2010 and 2011.