Belgium’s ‘other’ circuit, Zolder has a long history of touring car racing. The circuit was built in time for the 1963 season, and hosted a round of the European Touring Car Championship later that year in August.

Although racing at Spa had a longer history, it was Zolder which became Belgium’s first purpose-built race circuit.

Formula 1 came to the track in the 1970s whilst the Spa-Francorchamps circuit was constructed, with the Kleine Chicane being added in 1972 to slow the speed of cars over the hill in case they became airborne.

The final chicane was converted into a 90-left, 90-right three years later, before the first corner was brought forward in 1986 to create more runoff area.

Further changes in 1994 at Terlamenbocht were required to accommodate a larger entrance tunnel. In 2001, again in the name of safety, the first three corners of the lap were realigned, including moving the first corner slightly closer to the pits.

During the 1980s and 1990s the DTM traditionally held its season opener at Zolder, although when the series was revived in 2000 Zolder initially only earned a race in 2002.

Recent years have seen a regular return to Zolder of top-level touring car series, with 2020 proving to be a bumper year due to COVID-induced calendar reshuffles.