Round 2
Zolder
18/04/17
50 Laps
Built in 1963 Zolder is a 2.5 mile
undulating circuit that has held the F1 Belgium Grand Prix on 10
occasions during the 70’s and 80’s.
The circuit starts with a fast 90 degree left hand bend which has plenty of run off but is a fairly insignificant corner.
Moving from the right to left to immediately go into the technical
Sterrenwachtbocht it’s important to brake on the straight so as to have a
settled car for the corner, this will also lead to a much quicker exit.
Kanaalbocht follows next and shouldn’t require too much braking as it’s
flat with a smooth turn in. Under the footbridge and it’s another fast
90 degree bend this time to the right, although relatively simple it’s
important to not over cook the exit as the run off isn’t great.
Out of Bianchibocht it’s a very fast up hill approach to the Chicane
which is much tighter than it looks. The exit of the Chicane the circuit
starts to rise steeply so it’s important to be on the power as you
exit. The kerbs can hold water in the wet so it’s advisable to stay off
them unless it’s dry. Over the brow of a hill and into a steep downhill
section to the left hander Sacramentshelling where a late entry is
important, the apex being on the very last kerb as you exit. Move the
car over to the left ready for the entry into Villeneuvebocht which has a
dip on the right entry and camber change half way through. This chicane
was put in after the sad death of Gilles Villeneuve in the Belgium
Grand Prix. Obviously much safer now but it’s a bit fussy although good
fun in an Elise. It’s then pretty much flat out into the right hander of
Terlamenbocht which presents a good challenge.
The circuit then rises before dropping away into Bolderbergbochy
which has a very fast approach and requires heavy braking to avoid the
service road and gravel traps. It’s important not to run too wide on the
exit but keeping to the right will mean a chance of straight lining the
following Jochen Rindtbocht chicane. It’s slightly uphill again and
under a bridge, this section has a tunnel affect as sides are close and
the Jacky Ickxbocht complex at it’s end is fairly blind until the last
moments. A left then right with camber change in-between it’s important
to get the exit right and lifting on the exit is advised against. A
slight uphill and that’s a lap of Zolder complete.
http://www.motorsportdays.com/tracks/zolder/
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