Circuit Zandvoort vs TT Circuit Assen - Battle of the Race Circuits
After a summer break here the 4th battle of the race circuits. This time we have a Dutch internal battle between ‘CM.com Circuit Zandvoort’ and ‘TT Circuit Assen’.
The Zandvoort Circuit opened in 1948, but before there were already races in Zandvoort on a street circuit in 1939. In 1948 the premanent race track opened.
The original layout of Zandvoort was twisty but very fast. It contained a lot of fast sweeping corners with the famous Tarzan Corner as the ultimate overtaking point. Still today this corner is famous for it’s spectacular overtaking moves.
Like so many other circuits, the layout of Zandvoort was changed several times. First because of new safety requirements for Formula 1. In 1973 and 1980 chicanes were added to the layout. However, after the 1985 Dutch Grand Prix, Formula 1 abandoned Zandvoort.
In 1989 the municipal of Zandvoort - owner of the circuit ground - sold a part of the circuit to a group of investors who wanted to build a holiday resort on the site.
That meanth a part of the circuit would be demolished and it was no longer possible to drive a lap. In an attempt to safe the track a new section was built to keep the track suitable for club races. This 2.5 kilometer short version was known as the ‘Interim Circuit’.
While a part of the circuit was demolished for the holiday resort, most of the unused part was left abandoned. In 1999 a part of the old layout was reconnected with also a new section. The Zandvoort Circuit had now a normal length again from 4.3 kilomters and contained about 50 percent of it’s original layout.
In 2021 Formula 1 returned to Zandvoort. For this ocasion they changed two corners into high banked corners. Something unique for a modern Formula 1 track!
However it lost about 50% of it’s original layout, Zandvoort is still a loved circuit by drivers and public, because of it’s fast corners and elevation changes. Especially the fast section with the Scheivlak Corner is very popular.
Where Zandvoort is traditional the Dutch Formula 1 circuit, TT Circuit Assen is the traditional Dutch MotoGP circuit. The history of Assen started in 1925 with TT races on a street circuit in Rolde, not too far from Assen. In 1926 it moved to a street circuit near Assen.
In 1955 the old street circuit was replaced by a semi street circuit with two permanent loops. In the layout they included parts of the street circuit. Interesting detail, still today the Start/Finish is on the same place as in 1926.
The first change to the 1955 circuit came in 1976 when the fast corner before Start/Finish was changed into a chicane. Also for safety reasons the Northern loop was shortened in 1984.
In 1992 the semi permanent circuit became a full permanent circuit. This because noughty people, like Herman the founder of ‘Circuits of the past’, tested their driving skills on the track when it was officially public road.
If you want to learn more about this episode I reccomend you to read the eBook ‘The Magic of Weathered Asphalt’: www.circuitsofthepast.com/the...
In 2006 the Northern Loop was shortened again, but not for safety reasons this time! To create space for a project with among others an Expo Center, hotel, casino and cinema, they shortened the Northern loop again and reduced it to a small statium section. Ironically, from the ambitious plans they only realized the Expo Center.
Also the fast Veenslang section with the Ruskenhoek Corner was changed several times. First they made it slower and later again faster. Today the Ruskenhoek corner has two versions, a chicane and a fast right-left combination.
Most feared and challenging part of today’s TT Circuit Assen is the fast section with the Ramshoek Corner. This part is most reminiscent of the old circuit. However the grass strips and gravel traps are replaced by modern asphalt strips, the layout itself is almost untouched.
So, Assen and Zandvoort both lost parts of their original layout and both have some challenging fast corners. But where Assen is flat, Zandvoort has elevation changes because it meanders through the dunes. Assen therefor has more permanent facilities for public.
Special thanks to Simon Smith for the voiceover. Visit also his channel: / higherplaingames
If you want to support Circuits of the past, go to: / circuitsofthepast
For single donations and tips you can go to: paypal.me/circuitsofthepast
Thanks for watching this video.
Don't miss our new videos and subscribe to my channel. kzitem.info... Thanks for the subscribe :)
Негізгі бет Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары Circuit Zandvoort vs TT Circuit Assen - Battle of the Race Circuits 4
Пікірлер: 27