 Grand Prix Circuit (1972–1981) | |
| Location |  Nivelles,Belgium |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 50°37′16″N4°19′37″E / 50.62111°N 4.32694°E /50.62111; 4.32694 |
| Broke ground | 1971 |
| Opened | 1972 |
| Closed | June 30, 1981; 44 years ago (1981-06-30) |
| Architect | John Hugenholtz |
| Major events | Formula One Belgian Grand Prix (1972, 1974) Formula 750 (1976, 1978) Formula Two (1973) Formula 5000 (1972) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1972–1981) | |
| Surface | Tarmac |
| Length | 3.724 km (2.314 mi) |
| Turns | 7 |
| Race lap record | 1:11.310 ( Denny Hulme,McLaren M23,1974,F1) |
Nivelles-Baulers was a 2.314 mi (3.724 km) race track inNivelles (in French)/Nijvel (in Dutch) nearBrussels,Belgium.
Built in 1971, the circuit hosted two rounds of theFormula OneBelgian Grand Prix in1972 and1974 both won byEmerson Fittipaldi, during the time when the race was supposed to alternate betweenWalloon andFlemish circuits. Designed by Roger Caignie and John Hugenholtz to be a safe alternative toSpa, Nivelles was perhapstoo safe. It had massive runoff areas, was flat and featureless, and was described by many drivers as being bland and sterile.[citation needed]Nivelles was not popular amongst the paying spectators since they thought that they were not close enough to the action.[citation needed]
The track ran into economic problems very early in its life. The organiser wentbankrupt in 1974. They were however able to find enoughsponsors to organise that year'sFormula One race. In 1976 it was once again Nivelles's turn to organise theBelgian Grand Prix, but the track was not considered safe enough forFormula One because of the condition of thetarmac. By 1980 the circuit was deemed too dangerous forcar racing, butmotorcycle events continued until 1981. When the circuit licence expired on June 30, 1981, the track was finally closed for good. Until the late 1990s the pit buildings and the circuit were left abandoned, and it was possible to drive illegal laps around the track. However, in the early 21st century the track was demolished and is now a part of an industrial estate, but it is still possible to see traces of the circuit.[1]
The fastest F1 lap at the circuit during a race was set in1974 byDenny Hulme, who set a time of 1:11.31 in hisMcLaren-Ford.
The fastest official race lap records at the Nivelles-Baulers are listed as:
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix Circuit: 3.724 km (1972–1981) | ||||
| Formula One | 1:11.310 | Denny Hulme | McLaren M23 | 1974 Belgian Grand Prix |
| Formula Two | 1:14.170[2] | Jochen Mass | Surtees TS15 | 1973 Nivelles F2 round |
| Formula 5000 | 1:17.000[3] | Graham McRae | McRae GM1 | 1972 Nivelles F5000 round |
| Group 4 | 1:28.600[4] | Clemens Schickentanz [de] | Porsche Carrera RSR | 1973 Nivelles Euro GT round |
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