Nivelles-Baulers was a 2.314 miles (3.72 km) racing circuit near Brussels, Belgium, known as Nivelles in French and Nijvel in Dutch. Built in 1971, the circuit hosted two Formula One rounds, the 1972 and 1974 Belgian Grands Prix. Designed to be a safe alternative to the Spa, Nivelles was perhaps too safe. It had massive run-off areas, was flat and featureless, and was described by many drivers as bland and sterile. Nivelles was not popular among the paying spectators either, for they were not close enough to the action. The track ran into financial problems early on. The organizer went bankrupt in 1974, although they were able to find enough sponsors to organize that year Formula. 1976 was the next chance for Nivelles to organize the Belgian Grand Prix, but the track was not considered safe enough for Formula One because the condition of the tarmac had degraded severely, and there was no money for repaving. By 1980 the circuit was deemed too dangerous for any type car racing, but motorcycling was continued for another year. When the license expired on June 30, 1981, the track was finally closed for good. By the late 1990s the entire site was abandoned, and it was possible to conduct illegal laps around the track. Now a large part of the track has been demolished and is now part of an industrial estate. But disjointed portions of the circuit still exist, and can still be found.
Event history
The following is a list of Formula One World Championship events held at the Nivelles circuit:
| Year | Event | Winning Driver | Winning Constructor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Belgian Grand Prix |  Emerson Fittipaldi
|
 McLaren-Ford
|
| 1974 | Belgian Grand Prix | Emerson Fittipaldi
|
Lotus-Ford
|
| V T E |  Belgian Grand Prix
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Circuits | Spa-Francorchamps (1950 - 1970, 1983, 1985 - Present), Nivelles (1972, 1974), Zolder (1973, 1975 - 1982, 1984) |  |
| Races | 1950 • 1951 • 1952 • 1953 • 1954 • 1955 • 1956 • 1957 • 1958 • 1959 • 1960 • 1961 • 1962 • 1963 • 1964 • 1965 • 1966 • 1967 • 1968 • 1969 • 1970 • 1971 • 1972 • 1973 • 1974 • 1975 • 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 • 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1987 • 1988 • 1989 • 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019 • 2020 • 2021 • 2022 • 2023 | |
| Pre-1950 races | 1925 • 1930 • 1931 • 1933 • 1934 • 1935 • 1937 • 1939 • 1947 • 1949 |
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