iRacing: Zandvoort Owners Get Free Upgrade to Modern Track

iRacing Zandvoort Modern Rework.jpeg
Zandvoort's layout may not have changed significantly since 1999 at first glance, but the renovations ahead of the circuit's return to the Formula One calendar did introduce changes that made it fit modern requirements better. iRacing is going to add this current version to its simulation soon - with good news for owners of the older version.

Image credit: iRacing

Sim racers will be pleased to hear that they will not have to fetch their wallets again if they want to run the modern version of Zandvoort if they own "the historic version of Zandvoort", as iRacing themselves put it (although that wording makes us think about the high-speed course that was used until 1989). Anyone who does not own Zandvoort yet will get both versions if they purchase the new track.

Zandvoort 1999-2019 Track Map.pngZandvoort 2020 Track Map.png
Looking at the track map, nothing much has changed for Zandvoort from its 1999-2019 version (left) to the current layout - but only at first glance. Image credit: racingcircuits.info

Faster, Wider, SAFER​

But what exactly are the differences? Ahead of the planned return to the F1 calendar for 2020, Zandvoort saw extensive renovations and alterations to modernize the track, with the final turn called Arie Luyendykbocht having been transformed from an already fast right-hander to a flat-out banked turn, complete with SAFER barrier.

The runoff for the first turn Tarzanbocht has been upgraded, and the pit exit now joins the track after the turn instead of right before it. The following Gerlachbocht has been widened, and Hugenholtzbocht has been moved slightly to create a bigger runoff area. Meanwhile, the exit part of Hans Ernst Chicane has been widened, and new kerbs have been installed in many places around the track, and the grid has moved further towards Tarzanbocht.

iRacing Season 3 2023 Willow Springs 3D Foliage System.jpg

The 3D Foliage System that is already in use at Willow Springs (pictured) should make the dunes of Zandvoort a visual highlight. Image credit: iRacing

Expect Better Visuals​

The upgraded version of Zandvoort is also likely to benefit from the visual improvements iRacing has made recently, as was showcased at Willow Springs with the new 3D Foliage System introduced for Season 3 of 2023. As Zandvoort is one of the more interesting circuits when it comes to its location nestled in the dunes right by the coast of the North Sea, an immersive visual experience can be expected.

More circuits are currently in the works, too, as was confirmed by Executive Producer Greg Hill in July's Dev Update: Algarve, Misano, Mugello, Pukekohe, Lédenon and the Circuito de Navarra are all in development, although it is not quite clear yet which ones are going to be ready for September's Season 4 release. And we are still wondering when it is Spa-Franchorchamps' time for a modernization treatment...

Your Thoughts​

Are you looking forward to an up-to-date version of Zandvoort in iRacing? What other circuits are at the top of your "needs to be modernized" list? Let us know in the comments below!
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About author
Yannik Haustein
Lifelong motorsport enthusiast and sim racing aficionado, walking racing history encyclopedia.

Sim racing editor, streamer and one half of the SimRacing Buddies podcast (warning, German!).

Heel & Toe Gang 4 life :D

Comments

Shouldnt have said the word "free"... that will trigger many people around here and their skewed views on membership systems...

But nice to see the oldies getting rebuilt! Still waiting for Mosport to get the love it needs.
 
OverTake
Premium
Anyone who has bought the track until this bit of info dropped paid for the old version of Zandvoort, so the new one being included at no further cost is a free addition to the initial purchase, I'd say :)
 
Anyone who has bought the track until this bit of info dropped paid for the old version of Zandvoort, so the new one being included at no further cost is a free addition to the initial purchase, I'd say :)
That is indeed the correct definition of free, but common sense doesn’t apply here, lol
 
Okay time for actual on topic comments

It'll be interesting to drive the new version as Zandvort has long been a favorite track of mine.
Hopefully with an update here we might see an update to Spa too not too far off. But seeing Zandvort updated is still nice on it's own.
Also the foliage will be interesting to see how it impacts the look of the dunes. They had a very distinct look when I was fortunate enough to go to Zandvort for the DTM
 
Once reiza builds a decent multiplayer system for AMS2 then iRacing will be doomed, and this endless for free discussion will be over.
You can surely dream.

Explain how Reiza going to pay for and support at least 3 server farms spaced out globally to provide a superior and more reliable experience than that of iRacing's? Because that is what it takes to compete in that market.
 
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So if mods are deleting parts of my comments, i might as well remove it entirely
 
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"What other circuits are at the top of your "needs to be modernized" li"

The engine needs to be modernized first. New shaders, new skybox. From that all tracks will benefit. The modernized tracks look better but not good enough yet compared to Automobilista 2 and for the pricetag of iRacing I would expect the opposite.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Moderator
Premium
Guys we have numerous posts in previous articles going over the business model and offline costs, so let's not rehash them again.
I seriously doubt that any member on RD isn't aware of how they operate.
So stay on topic please.
 
My comment was not about the business model and offline costs but if was still removed. I don't understand why:

The question of the newspost was "What other circuits are at the top of your "needs to be modernized" list?"

My comment/answer is that: I hope that they update the shaders and skybox so that ALL tracks benefit and get modernized at once! That's as on topic as it gets I think so please don't remove my comment since that's my honest opinion about this subject.

Once that happens this new Zandvoort track is once of the first that I'll buy ! Because the new layout is amazing.
 
Not a Zandvoort fan, but you got to admit racing on the old layout years later is a bummer ;)
The 70s and 80s layout was so much fun :coffee:
 
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Looking forward to trying out the new version.

Also thanks RD for keeping up the iRacing coverage, even though it seems to increase your moderator workload quite a bit!
 
iRacing need to start from scratch and stop udating their 15 year old game and build a new iracing that is worth a monthly subcription. In my opion their game is not worth a monthly subscrpition. Stop trying to get people to pay for every racing track in the world and every racing car ever manufactured. QUALITY VS QUANITY. In my opinion they have gone for quanity obviously to take your money and in 15 years don't really care about the quality of the game. Yes they have good MP code but for F___ Sake you still cant race in the RAIN. This is like NASCAR taking 65+ Years to get a rain tire for road courses because the people that were running NASCAR had their heads so far up their own assess for so long they got use to their own STINK. This is the same with iRacing in my opinion.
 
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, but 8021 members currently online at this exact moment disagree and think it’s worth a subscription. That number will grow to 10-12,000 in a few hours :)
 

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