Nivelles-Baulers
50.6200722222224.3293611111111Koordinaten: 50 ° 37 ' 12 " N, 4 ° 19' 46" E
The Complexe Européen de Nivelles Nivelles - Baulers or short - Baulers was a motor racing track in Nivelles, Belgium. The opened in 1971 and 1981 Discontinued 3.724 kilometers long course in 1972 and 1974, the venue for the Belgian Grand Prix, was at this time in addition to the Circuit Paul Ricard as a pioneer of the so-called "test-tube Rates" and as the safest route for Formula 1
History
After the still largely composed of closed-off public roads in the 1960s circuit of Spa -Francorchamps as was considered too unsafe for Formula 1, had to be found for the Belgian Grand Prix alternatives. As the Flemish and Walloon politicians agreed to try and make the Grand Prix of Belgium in the future alternately unsubscribe in Flanders and Wallonia, the route of Nivelles was built as a counterpart to the Flemish Circuit Zolder.
In order to meet the safety needs of accelerating formula 1, the course of the Dutch racetrack designer Hans Hugenholtz was designed strongly taking into account safety considerations: it was flat and overcame the exception of a small hill at the end of the start - finish line almost level, the curves were elongated and liquid to navigate. The spectator areas were for conditions at that time far away from the actual distance to the vehicles offer plenty of run-off areas. This led to criticism from two sides: while the driver complained about the allegedly boring route, the plant was controversial even among the spectators, as they were able to observe the vehicles only from a distance.
The operators of the track were quickly financial problems: After the opening in 1971 it was already in 1974 to a first serious crisis; Formula 1 Grand Prix from 1974 could only be played with massive financial support from the sponsors. In 1975, the bankruptcy followed. The planned for 1976 Grand Prix, despite taking over the route not discharged by a curator in Nivelles, as the road surface had deteriorated over the years and was no longer considered safe enough for Formula 1. The Formula 1 more this year again to Zolder.
A renewal of the pavement could not be performed due to lack of investors, which is why on the continued deteriorating track no race of the Formula 1 more were planned. In 1980, car races were finally adjusted generally at Nivelles; until 1981, the Belgian Motorcycle Association KNMV still single motorcycle race through in Nivelles.
As on 30 June 1981 expired admission as a racetrack, no extension has been applied and the track closed down. Track and buildings such as the pits fell with time and were demolished in the late 1990s to make the new industrial area " Portes de l'Europe " place. As the new buildings and streets of the commercial area geared to the layout of the circuit, the route can be seen from the air today.
Route
The to be traveled 3.724 km long and clockwise route was marked by a long start -finish straight, which ended in a fast right-hand kink. About one called by the racers Big Loop combination of right-handers was reached which is provided with two medium- speed chicanes back straight, at the end of a slow 180 ° turn back led to the start-finish. The route had a total of seven liquid to moving curves; tight turns or switchbacks were deliberately avoided in the planning. The route could be shortened to a so-called " Club Price" if necessary, by a cross- linking was traveled on the start-finish straight before turn 1, which led to the back straight between the curves 4 and 5.
The fastest ever driven round was 1'09 .82 min., Driven by Clay Regazzoni in a Ferrari in qualifying for the Formula 1 Grand Prix of 1974. The official lap record was 1'11 .32 min. driven by Denis Hulme in a McLaren M23 in the later races. The lap record for motorcycles was 1.23,5 min and was erected in 1976 in the 750cc class.
Apart from the actual race track was located in the area of curves 4 and 5, a smaller, independent course, which was used for kart racing.
Race
In the years 1972 and 1974, the track was the venue for the Belgian Formula 1 Grand Prix. Both races won the Brazilian Emerson Fittipaldi. Other significant international events were races of the Formula 5000 in 1972, Formula 2 in 1973 and the formula 750 for motorcycles in the years 1976 and 1978.
On the go-kart track national and international races have also been held. In September 1980, future Formula 1 world champion Ayrton Senna had a run of the World Karting Championship in Nivelles, where he finished second. Among the spectators of the race there was the then 11- year-old Michael Schumacher. Schumacher, later also Formula 1 world champion, recalled in interviews that Senna's driving style on this day so impressed him that he inquired after the race, after the driver's name.