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TT Circuit Assen

Configuration for automobile racing Configuration for motorcycle racing
Location	Assen, Netherlands
Time zone	CET (UTC+1) CEST (DST)
Coordinates	52°57′42″N 6°31′24″E / 52.96167°N 6.52333°E / 52.96167; 6.52333
Capacity	110,000
FIA Grade	2
Owner	Stichting Circuit van Drenthe
Opened	11 July 1925; 99 years ago (1925-07-11) (Van Drenthe street circuit) 16 July 1955; 69 years ago (1955-07-16) (modern circuit)
Closed	1954 (for street circuit)
Major events	Current: Grand Prix motorcycle racing Dutch TT (1949–2019, 2021–present) World SBK (1992–2019, 2021–present) Sidecar World Championship (1955–2003, 2005–2008, 2013–2019, 2021–present) Supercar Challenge (2001–present) Future: BSB (2012–2019, 2025) Former: FIM EWC (1979–1980, 1995–1996, 2003–2006) MXGP (2015–2018) DTM (2019–2021) ETRC (2004–2005, 2009) ADAC GT Masters (2008–2011) Superleague Formula (2010–2011) Champ Car World Series (2007)
Website	http://www.tt-assen.com/
Grand Prix Circuit (2006–present)
Length	4.555 km (2.831 miles)
Turns	18 (12 right, 6 left)
Race lap record	1:17.109 (Ingo Gerstl, Toro Rosso STR1, 2023, F1)
Motorcycle Circuit (2010–present)
Length	4.542 km (2.822 miles)
Turns	18 (12 right, 6 left)
Race lap record	1:31.866 (Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Desmosedici GP24, 2024, MotoGP)
Grand Prix Circuit (2005)
Length	5.997 km (3.726 miles)
Turns	25
Race lap record	2:00.991 (Valentino Rossi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 2005, MotoGP)
National Circuit (2005)
Length	3.851 km (2.393 miles)
Turns	16
Race lap record	1:18.602 (Martin Hippe, Dallara F303, 2005, F3)
Grand Prix Circuit (2002–2004)
Length	6.027 km (3.745 miles)
Turns	26
Race lap record	1:59.472 (Valentino Rossi, Yamaha YZR-M1, 2004, MotoGP)
National Circuit (2002–2004)
Length	3.904 km (2.426 miles)
Turns	17
Race lap record	1:15.928 (Thomas Holzer, Dallara F302, 2004, F3)
Grand Prix Circuit (1984–2001)
Length	6.049 km (3.759 miles)
Turns	26
Race lap record	2:02.471 (Tadayuki Okada, Honda NSR500, 1999, 500cc)
National Circuit (1981–2001)
Length	3.919 km (2.435 miles)
Turns	17
Race lap record	1:23.110 (Raymond Roche, Ducati 888 SBK, 1992, World SBK)
Grand Prix Circuit (1981–1983)
Length	7.685 km (4.775 miles)
Race lap record	2:47.470 (Kenny Roberts, Yamaha YZR500, 1983, 500cc)
Grand Prix Circuit (1976–1980)
Length	7.717 km (4.796 miles)
Race lap record	2:54.500 (Virginio Ferrari, Suzuki RG 500, 1979, 500cc)
Grand Prix Circuit (1955–1975)
Length	7.700 km (4.785 miles)
Van Drenthe Circuit (1926–1954)
Length	16.536 km (10.275 miles)
Original Circuit (1925)
Length	28.400 km (17.650 miles)

The TT Circuit Assen is a motorsport race track built in 1955 and located in Assen, Netherlands. Host of the Dutch TT, it is popularly referred to as "The Cathedral of Speed" by motorcycle racing fans. The venue has the distinction of holding the most Grand Prix motorcycle races every year (except 2020) since the series was created in 1949. It has a capacity of 110,000 spectators, including 60,000 seats. Since 1992, the circuit has also been part of the World SBK calendar except for the 2020 season.

History

The original Assen track was first used for the 1926 Dutch TT (Tourist Trophy) race, after the first 1925 event was held on country roads through the villages of Rolde, Borger, Schoonloo and Grolloo, and organized by the Motorclub Assen en Omstreken. The brick- and semi-paved track had a length of 28.57 km (17.75 mi). The winner was Piet van Wijngaarden on a 500 cc Norton with an average speed of 91.4 km/h (56.8 mph). From 1926 on the Dutch TT was held at Assen on a street circuit through De Haar, Barteldsbocht, Oude Tol, Hooghalen, Laaghalen and Laaghalerveen.

In 1951 the Italian Umberto Masetti took the record on a 500 cc Gilera with an average speed of 162.35 km/h (100.88 mph). In 1954, Geoff Duke of Great Britain reached 170.69 km/h (106.06 mph). The circuit remained unchanged until 1955, when a whole new circuit was built by using a third of the original street circuit, joined with purpose-built sections, but less than a third of the length and much more like a modern road racing circuit.

In the period of 1999–2002, the circuit invested millions in upgrades. In 1999, the circuit management placed a new main grandstand and hospitality buildings. In 2000, a new Race Control tower was built, as well as 34 newly equipped pit boxes, a new media and medical centre. Between September 2001 and April 2002, another €9 million was spent on the enlargement of the paddock area from 40 to 60.000 square metres. This upgrade meant that the Veenslang and Ruskenhoek corners had to be altered. The main straight has also moved about 50 metres eastwards and a new two-lane tunnel now connects the paddock with the main entrance road and the media accreditation / welcome centre. The Mandeveen and Duikersloot corners have been moved back by 10 metres to accommodate larger run-offs and gravel beds at the southern part of the circuit. That part of the track has also been resurfaced with new asphalt. In total, the circuit has been shortened from 6.049 km (3.759 mi) to 6.027 km (3.745 mi). The total cost of these upgrades was €23 million.

In 2005, the grandstand at the Geert Timmer corner was slightly altered. In order to improve the gravel run-off length, the grandstand was made in a 'floating' manner to accommodate the extra space that was needed. The lay-out of the circuit was also slightly altered.

The circuit was fundamentally redesigned again in 2006, becoming the so-called A-Style Assen TT Circuit. All alterations aside, only one section of the circuit is original; the finish line never moved. On 21 September 2009 it was announced that a new chicane will be added, after a request from the A1GP organization, however A1GP was unable to start the 2009–2010 season and as a substitute the Superleague Formula replaced A1GP.

Layout history

• Original Dutch TT Van Drenthe Circuit (1926–1954)
• Grand Prix Circuit (1984–2001)
• Grand Prix Circuit (2002–2004)
• Grand Prix Circuit (2005)
• Grand Prix Circuit (2006–present)
• Motorcycle Circuit (2010–present)

Current racetrack

Assen race track was built in 1955, and initially had a length of 7.705 km (4.788 mi). The current track has a length of 4.555 km (2.830 mi) with the mixture of super fast flat-out and slow corners. The longest straight is 560 m (1,840 ft). The curves in Assen were traditionally banked and the surface is extremely grippy, so the riders were able to drive much faster on the course than other circuits. Today these sloped or curved bends have been modified due to safety issues.

Innovation

On 6 July 2004, the organisation announced plans for an amusement park located to the north of the track. In 2006 the northern loop was removed and the length was shortened to 4.555 km (2.830 mi). The new centre is expected to be visited by 300,000 people, and the total investment is approximately €85 million.

Events

Current

• April: Superbike World Championship, Supersport World Championship, Supersport 300 World Championship, Northern Talent Cup
• May: Ducati Club Races
• June: Grand Prix motorcycle racing Dutch TT, MotoE World Championship Dutch eRace, Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup
• July: Dutch Moto Classic
• August: Supercar Challenge Jack’s Casino Racing Days, BOSS GP, Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux, Sidecar World Championship, IDM Superbike Championship [de], Northern Talent Cup
• September: ADAC Racing Weekend Assen, Tabac Classic Grand Prix
• October: Supercar Challenge Finaleraces

Future

• British Superbike Championship (2012–2019, 2025)
• British Supersport Championship (2012–2019, 2025)
• Eurocup-3 (2025)
• FIM Women's Circuit Racing World Championship (2025)

Former

• Acceleration 2014 (2014)
• ADAC Formel Masters (2008–2011)
• ADAC GT Masters (2008–2011)
• ATS Formel 3 Cup (2004–2012)
• Champ Car World Series (2007)
• Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (2019–2021)
• DTM Trophy (2021)
• European Truck Racing Championship (2004–2005, 2009)
• FIM Endurance World Championship (1979–1980, 1995–1996, 2003–2006)
• Formula 750 (1976–1979)
• Formula Renault 2.0 Germany (1997–1998, 2004–2005)
• Formula Renault 2.0 Netherlands (2003–2005)
• Formula Renault Northern European Cup (2006–2017)
• Motocross World Championship (2015–2018)
• Porsche Carrera Cup Germany (1997)
• Prototype Cup Germany [de] (2023)
• SMP F4 Championship (2017–2018)
• Superleague Formula
  • Superleague Formula round Netherlands (2010–2011)
• Super Tourenwagen Cup (1996)
• TCR Europe Touring Car Series (2018)
• W Series (2019)

Lap records

As of August 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the TT Circuit Assen are listed as:

See also

• Dutch TT
• MotoGP
• Circuit Zandvoort

Notes

References

1. Sports, Dorna. "TT Circuit Assen invests € 9 million in safety, paddock-area and new asphalt | MotoGP™". www.motogp.com.
2. Sports, Dorna. "Safety upgrades | MotoGP™". www.motogp.com.
3. (in Dutch) Dagblad van het Noorden Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
4. "Assen overview". netherlodger.com.
5. ^ "2023 JACK'S Racing Day - BOSS GP - Final Results Race 2" (PDF). 13 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
6. "Jacks Racing Day 2024 - BOSS GP - Final Result Race 2" (PDF). 4 August 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
7. "DTM 2020 » TT Circuit Assen Grand Prix Round 7 Results". 5 September 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
8. "2014 Assen Acceleration FA1". Motor Sport Magazine. 19 October 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
9. "2011 Assen German F3". Motor Sport Magazine. 18 September 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
10. "2023 ADAC Hansa Pokal - Prototype Cup Germany Revision 1 - Provisional Result Rennen 2" (PDF). 3 September 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
11. "GAMMA Racing Day 2020 - Dutch GP Superkarts - Revision 1 - Uitslag van Race 1" (PDF). 26 September 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
12. ^ "Benelux Assen 2020". 27 September 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
13. "Alex Cascatău - Driver Database". Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
14. "2021 DTM Assen Race 2 Statistics". 19 September 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
15. "2017 Formula Renault Northern Cup Assen (Race 2)". 6 August 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
16. "JACK'S Racing Days 2023 - Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux - Final Result Race 2" (PDF). 13 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
17. "HANKOOK Finalerace Assen 2018 - NEZ F4 - Final Results Race 1" (PDF). 20 October 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
18. "2009 Assen ADAC Masters Weekend - Formel ADAC - Race 2" (PDF). 10 May 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
19. "Dennis de Borst - Driver Database". Archived from the original on 31 December 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
20. "DTM Trophy Assen 2021". 19 September 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
21. "Gamma Racing Day 2014 - NEC Formula Renault 1.6 - Race 2" (PDF). 3 August 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
22. "Finale Races Assen 2014 - MW-V6 Pickup - Race 1" (PDF). 18 October 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
23. "2009 ADAC Masters Weekend - FIA European TRC - Championship Race 3". 8 May 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
24. "World SBK - Motul Dutch Round, 22-24 April 2022 - Results Tissot Superpole Race" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 24 April 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
25. "Gamma Racing Day 2013 - NEC Formula Renault 2.0 - Race 2" (PDF). 4 August 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
26. "World SSP - Pirelli DOC Dutch Round, 21-23 April 2023 - Results Race 2" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 23 April 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
27. "2024 MotoE - Motul TT Assen - Race Nr.2 - Classification after 7 laps = 31.794 km" (PDF). MotoGP. Dorna. 29 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
28. "Gamma Racing Day 2013 - NEC Formula Renault 1.6 - Race 1" (PDF). 3 August 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
29. "Supersport 300 - Pirelli Dutch Round, 21-23 April 2023 - Results Race 1" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
30. "Pirelli Dutch Round, 21-23 April 2023 Northern Talent Cup Results Race 2" (PDF). 23 April 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
31. "Assen 2-3-4 September, 2005 - Superbike - Results Race 1" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 4 September 2005. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
32. "Assen 2-3-4 September, 2005 - Supersport - Results Race" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 4 September 2005. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
33. "2005 Assen German F3 - Round 14". Motor Sport Magazine. 7 August 2005. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
34. "2005 Formula Renault 2000 Netherlands Assen (Race 2)". 7 August 2005. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
35. "2005 DKV Dutch Truck Grand Prix - Super Race Trucks - Race 2 SRT/RT". 7 May 2005. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
36. "Assen 6-7-8 September, 2002 - Superbike - Results Race 1" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 8 September 2002. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
37. "Assen 5-6-7 September, 2003 - Supersport - Results Race" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 7 September 2003. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
38. "2004 Assen German F3". Motor Sport Magazine. 23 May 2004. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
39. "2004 Formula Renault 2000 Germany Assen (Race 2)". 23 May 2004. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
40. "1999-09-03 to 1999-09-05 - World Superbike - Dutch Round Race 1". 5 September 1999. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
41. "ASSEN - 7-8-9 September, 2001 - Results Aggregate". 9 September 2001. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
42. "1992-09-11 to 1992-09-13 - World Superbike - Dutch Round Race 2". 13 September 1992. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
43. "STW Cup 1996 » TT Circuit Assen National Round 4 Results". 19 May 1996. Retrieved 14 May 2024.

External links

• RacingCircuit.info's history of the TT Circuit Assen
• Trackpedia's guide to racing and tracking at Assen
• TT Circuit Assen homesite

• Champ Car circuits
• Grand Prix motorcycle circuits
• Superbike World Championship circuits
• Motorsport venues in Drenthe
• Sport in Assen
• Buildings and structures in Assen
• 1955 establishments in the Netherlands
• Sports venues completed in 1955
• 20th-century architecture in the Netherlands