Zandvoort Circuit: ADAC GT Masters roller coaster in the dunes

• ADAC GT Masters premiere at former Formula 1 circuit
• Local hero Christiaan Frankenhout introduces his home track

The ADAC GT Masters is fast approaching its premiere at the Zandvoort circuit (4th to 6th May). The track, surrounded by North Sea dunes, exudes a charm all of its own and no other circuit on the ‘League of Super Sports Cars’ calendar can boast its own beach just outside the paddock entrance. The 4.3-kilometre gently undulating ‘roller coaster’ of a track regularly played host to Formula 1 until 1985 and is just a stone’s throw from the North Sea. Its special position now presents ADAC GT Masters drivers with some unfamiliar challenges. “Sand on the track at Zandvoort and the wind can make for difficult conditions,” says local starter Christiaan Frankenhout (30, NL/Heico Motorsport), who hails from nearby Amsterdam and will be at the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG in his home race.
Zandvoort is Frankenhout’s second home for the moment: “The track winds its way through the North Sea dunes, and so there are some amazing crests, which make the Zandvoort circuit very demanding, along with a number of fast turns. The track is not all that easy to learn, but it’s not one of the most difficult circuits on the ADAC GT Masters calendar either.”

His special tip for spectators: the ‘Audi S bocht’

Overtaking is not easy at Zandvoort due to the track’s special characteristics, but Frankenhout reveals a couple of tricks at his home circuit: “The track is not particularly wide in many places, so it’s not easy to stay close to the man in front through the numerous fast turns. There are two good overtaking opportunities: At the ‘Tarzanbocht’ near the end of the start-finish straight, and at the ‘Audi S bocht’ in the middle section. On the approach to these two turns, you dodge out of your opponent’s slipstream and outbrake him.”

If Frankenhout were not actually racing a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG in the two rounds of the ADAC GT Masters, then he would follow events from a very special spot: “Just by the ‘Audi S bocht’ there’s a hill that stands about ten metres above the track. From this vantage point, you have a good view of both the ‘Audi S bocht’ and of my favourite bit of track, the ‘Rob Slotemakerbocht’. I just love taking this turn at over 200km/h in a GT3 sports car.”

Frankenhout aiming for Top 5 spot at Zandvoort

Both he and team-mate Kenneth Heyer (32, Wegberg) intend securing a finish in the Top 5 at Frankenhout’s home race: “I’ve been out a few times in the Mercedes at Zandvoort and the circuit should suit us. If in qualifying we can secure a good position on the starting grid, then I’m hoping to come home in the Top 5.”

Frankenhout does not think that his familiarity with the circuit will give him a home advantage: “Everyone contesting the ADAC GT Masters is actually very quick, even when the track is a relatively unknown quantity. The concentration of power is enormous and the quality of the drivers so high that track knowledge gives you hardly any advantage at all.”