GP BELGIUM 1974 at NIVELLES BAULERS– THE DAY THAT BERNIE ECCLESTONE TOOK CONTROL OF F1

The Nivelles Baulers circuit came into the equation because of the ongoing safety debate of the original circuit of Spa-Francorchamps. The last GP there was in 1970. The major needed changes would cost a lot of money and a few years to complete. Zolder would be no alternative in 1972.

The Nivelles-Baulers circuit was the somewhat crazy dream of a group of motorsport enthusiasts. Yvan Dauriac from Uccle and friend Rober Benoit dreamed of a new circuit at the gates of Brussels. He learned that the CAP (Committee for Public Assistance) had some land in Nivelles. He found enough investors, a contractor, an architect and started the construction project. The Complexe Européen de Nivelles-Baulers was built in 1971. It must become a safe and modern alternative to the dangerous circuit of Spa-Francorchamps. Several designers, including the Dutchman Hans Hugenholtz, were involved in this. Because money was tight, the original designed track of 5.5 kilometers was shortened to 3.7 km.
The circuit consisted of long pit straight, a series of fast curves and a tight hairpin. The track was built with safety as a priority with large run-off areas and layers of catch fencing.

The early 1970s were the golden years of the Nivelles circuit. There were a few Formula fors and Touring Car races, with the F1 in 1972 as a highlight. For the F1 race there was little crowd and the atmosphere was lacking. The winner was the JPS Lotus from Emerson Fittipaldi. But soon economic solutions would overwhelm the organization. Moreover, there were complaints about noise pollution, so the circuit could not be open for a whole year. In 1973 the F1 cars were at the start in an upgraded Zolder, but the race was overshadowed by a badly surfed track.

For 1974, the Nivelles circuit was a good alternative again. But the organisation was declared bankrupt and the local interest had other plans for the area. The Royal Automobiles club de Belgique announced that the race was unlikely to happen. But Bernie Ecclestone, head of the Constructors Organisation (F1CA) was keen to go ahead. Marlboro and Texaco were already backing up, but Bernie did the talks with their CEO’s and arranged more money. Then he convinced John Goossens from Bang &Olufsen to come up with money, and he did. Bernie convinced also his fellow constructors to race in Belgium. Start and prize money and the profit would be split. So Bernie found himself the real promotor of the 1974 Bang & Olufsen Belgium GP and he would ran the show. He also entered a third Brabham for Teddy Pilette with extra money from Hitachi. That became the real start of Bernies powerful  F1 Constructors Organisation.

The weekend was not without troubles. The timekeepers lost the plot in qualifying and generated a pole-position for Ferrari and Clay Regazzoni.
On may 2^nd 1974, an incredible 31 cars started the race on a track with extensive Marlboro-Texaco- Bang & Olufsen signing. On the starting grid, there was also the New Ensign sponsored by Teddy Yip for Vern Schuppan; Gijs van Lennep replaced Tom Belso at Williams; Tom Pryce with the Token RJ02, Interserie star Leo Kinnunen with a Surtees (not started) and G.Larousse with a Finotto-Brabham.

Regazzoni (#11 Ferrari312B) got away fastest. At the end of Lap 1 he was in the lead in front of Fittipaldi (#5 McLaren M23), Scheckter (#3 Tyrrell 007), Peterson (#1 JPS9), Lauda (#12 Ferrari 312B),Hunt (#24 Hesketh 308), Pace (#18, Surtees TS18), Beltoise (#14, BRM P201). Around lap 7, there were two groups. In the first group there was Regazzoni first and Hunt the last one. In the second group was Pace leading in front of a charging Depailler (# 4 Tyrrell 007), Beltoise and Hailwood (# 33 McLaren M23). Passing was a problem on this circuit with the long straight and the fast corners, so nothing changed for a while. In lap 25, there was a coming together of the leading group and slower cars. Not everybody could pass quick enough.In Lap 39, Regazzoni had troubles passing G.Larrousse in the private Brabham BT42 and got onto the grass. This gave the lead to Fittipaldi, followed by Lauda and Regazzoni,Scheckter,Hunt,Depailler, Hailwood, Beltoise, Ickx (#2 JPS 10) and Hulme (#6 McLaren M23),..rr
In the next laps, many cars had to stop with mechanical issues (local hero J.Ickx!) or tyre problems. In front, Scheckter tangled with Tom Pryce in the new Token RJ02. It would be the last race of the car. Some cars needed extra fuel. That is way leader Fittipaldi slowed down after the last corner. Niki Lauda saw a chance, accelerated, but it just did not work.
Results :
1. Emerson Fittipaldi (McLaren M23)
2.Niki Lauda (Ferrari 312B3)
3. Jody Scheckter (Tyrrell 007)
4. Clay Regazzoni (Ferrari 312B3)
5. Jean-Pierre Beltoise (BRM P120)
6. Denis Hulme (McLaren M23)

In 1980, the Wallon Region classified the site as an “extension zone for community facilities and public services”. Laurence Gozlan would file several lawsuits to assert her rights. The saga lasts until the mid-1990s. During this abandoned time, infrastructure deteriorates inexorably. Only in 1994 it became an industrial zone and the Nivelles Business Park.
Looking at this area on a satellite view, you can still easily see the shape of the circuit. Unfortunately, once there, it takes a lot of imagination to relocate the place.
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