30 May 2014
From Zolder to Spa Francorchamps: ten years of World Series by Renault in Belgium
World Series by Renault is this weekend making its tenth visit to Belgium, a place that has played a very important part in WSR history. The venue for the series’ very first meeting, the country is one of the season’s most popular destinations for both competitors and fans alike.
The World Series by Renault paddock came together for the first time on the weekend of 30 April-1 May 2005 at Zolder, the track that hosted the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix in the 1970s and 80s.
That inaugural meeting in the Flanders sun proved to be a huge success, with no fewer than 80,000 fans flocking to the track to get a taste of the Fast, Free & Fun concept that has made World Series by Renault such a hit with race-goers.
Granted free admission to the circuit and the paddock, the fans were royally entertained by the vintage car and Renault F1 Team shows and got a close-up look at an international competition bringing together top drivers such as Robert Kubica, who won the second Formula Renault 3.5 Series race of the weekend, and Michael Ammermüller, who scored a double in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0.
In 2007, while Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 and the Eurocup Megane Trophy made one last visit to Zolder, the Formula Renault 3.5 Series decamped to Spa-Francorchamps, where it was joined the following year by the other World Series by Renault disciplines. Regarded by many as the most beautiful track in the world, the famous “toboggan run” in the Ardennes is also one of the most demanding. To win there is a dream for any driver.
Twice the Belgian hymn has sounded at Spa in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, heralding Bertrand Baguette’s win in 2008 and Stoffel Vandoorne’s last year. Vandoorne clearly likes the track, having landed an F4 Eurocup 1.6 double there in 2010, a feat also achieved by Francois Verbist in the Clio Cup the previous season.
Regardless of whether their drivers win or not, the Belgian fans are never anything less than enthusiastic. Not even Spa’s notoriously changeable weather can dampen their spirits. When thick fog descended to delay the start of the action last year, spirits remained high in the stands thanks to the delicious waffles served up in the Renault Village.
Since making its first appearance on the World Series by Renault calendar, nearly 400,000 people have converged on Spa-Francorchamps to enjoy the action on the track and the fun and games on offer in the Village. Always a popular attraction, the Spa meeting promises yet again to be a big hit with the fans in 2014.
