Nivelles-Baulers

Belgium Nivelles-Baulers
Location Belgium Nivelles near Brussels, Belgium
Coordinates 50°37′16″N 4°19′37″E / 50.62111°N 4.32694°E / 50.62111; 4.32694Coordinates: 50°37′16″N 4°19′37″E / 50.62111°N 4.32694°E / 50.62111; 4.32694
Broke ground 1971
Opened 1972
Closed June 30 1981
Major events FIA Formula One Belgian Grand Prix (1972 and 1974)
Grand Prix Circuit
Surface Tarmac
Length 3.72 km (2.314 mi)
Turns 7
Lap record 1:11.31 (New Zealand Denny Hulme, United Kingdom McLaren-Ford, 1974, Formula One)

Nivelles-Baulers was a 2.314 miles (3.72 km) race track near Brussels, Belgium locally referred to as Nivelles in French and Nijvel in Dutch.

History

Built in 1971, the circuit hosted two rounds of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix in 1972 and 1974 during the time when the race was supposed to alternate between Walloon and Flemish circuits. Designed by Roger Caignie to be a safe alternative to Spa, Nivelles was perhaps too safe. It had massive runoff areas, was flat and featureless, and was described by many drivers as being bland and sterile. Nivelles was not popular amongst the paying spectators since they thought that they were not close enough to the action.

The track ran into economic problems very early in its life. The organiser went bankrupt in 1974. They were however able to find enough sponsors to organise that year's Formula One race. In 1976 it was once again Nivelles' turn to organise the Belgian Grand Prix, but the track was not considered safe enough for Formula One because of the condition of the tarmac. By 1980 the circuit was deemed too dangerous for car racing, but Motorcycle sport 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.

The fastest F1 lap at the circuit was set in 1974 by Denny Hulme, who set a time of 1:11.31 in his McLaren-Ford.

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