Circuit Zolder

Circuit Zolder, also known as Terlaemen, sits in Heusden-Zolder in Limburg and is run by vzw Terlamen. The track opened on 19 June 1963; Wikipedia lists it at 4.010 kilometres with ten turns and FIA Grade 2. The Belgian Formula One Grand Prix ran here in 1973, from 1975 to 1982 and once more in 1984, the Belgian motorcycle Grand Prix in 1980; the 24 Hours of Zolder have been on the calendar since 1983. For motorcycles, Motorsportschool Zolder organises free riding: there are noise-restricted days, where you need a standard exhaust or a dB killer, and open-exhaust days with no limit, where small GP cans are still not allowed. Riders are grouped by their lap times, and every lap is timed. In the paddock engines stay silent until 9 a.m., between noon and 1 p.m. and after 5 p.m. - break that and you are excluded from the event. A museum and a BMX track also belong to the site. The circuit is undulating and carries long fast stretches between the braking points; this is not a kart track you flick through, it is many laps of sustained speed and brake pressure. That is exactly what closes your forearms down if you hang on to the bars: the main cause of arm pump on our list is gripping too hard. Ride with loose arms from a centred attack position, light hands and heavy feet, and the forearms do far less work.