Last week, Zolder was surprisingly announced for Motorsport Games and Studio 397’s rFactor 2.
Despite MSG focusing all its efforts on the development of Le Mans Ultimate, the Belgian track was released yesterday (26th August, 2025), providing rF2 players with the first piece of official circuit content since Long Beach back in 2023.
However, Zolder wasn’t developed for rF2 by S397 or MSG; it’s a privately-funded passion project by Frederick Alonso in collaboration with Belgian survey specialists, Teccon, published by S397 as part of its ‘Third Party Approved’ program.
Traxion understands that no further development will take place on rF2 by S397. However, third-party projects (such as Zolder) and contractually obligated livery packs, including those required to satisfy the sim’s BTCC license agreement, will be the only new content expected in future.
Background
Circuit Zolder was opened in 1963 and was the long-term host of the Belgian Grand Prix until 1985, when Spa-Francorchamps took over the reins.
Zolder has hosted rounds of the Champ Car World Series, WTCC and DTM, with its layout remaining essentially unchanged throughout its 62-year history.
However, two chicanes were added over time. The first, the Kleine Chicane, was added for the 1973 season, while the second, the Villeneuve Chicane, was built for the 1986 season in honour of Gilles Villeneuve, who tragically lost his life at the track in 1982.
Without the chicanes, Zolder was a consistently high-speed circuit with scant run-off areas, making it a true driver’s track. With the chicanes, the track is slightly neutered, with the Kleine Chicane one of the most brutal in world motorsport.
The track’s topography has been captured in minute detail, thanks to Teccon’s specialised laser-scanning technology, and is correct to the nearest 3mm.
Zolder in rF2 is an approximation of seven separate scans, with Alonso’s incredibly detailed model commercially available for other applications, thanks in part to a licence agreement with the track.
On-track
As you’d expect for such a comprehensive project, the track feels just right in rF2. Pleasingly, the circuit’s kerb revisions have been represented in-game with the Kleine Chicane becoming much more tolerable – anyone who’s driven around Zolder in Assetto Corsa Competizione will be extremely jealous.
Zolder’s verdant surroundings are present and correct, with the track flowing beautifully, especially when using high-downforce cars like the Class 1 BMW M4 I sampled while testing.
However, I can’t help but feel a historic version of Zolder would’ve been a great addition, given how much more natural its layout would feel minus the chicanes. Perhaps it can be added at a later date.
Unfortunately, Zolder’s graphical performance isn’t the best I’ve experienced in rF2, as I was unable to run the game with maxed-out visual settings, unlike most other tracks, which was disappointing. Frame rates dropped, even without AI opponents, suggesting the project requires some optimisation.
Additionally, the catch fencing lining Zolder highlights the sim’s weakness in displaying intricate objects – especially at sunset/sunrise – with the resultant flickering and jagged edges harming its immersion.
Despite this, it’s a delight to drive around the Belgian venue, with its subtle elevation changes and accurately rendered kerbs adding texture and colour to the experience.
Circuit Zolder is available to purchase now in rFactor 2 for £6.93 / €7,99 / £7.99, which is on the pricey side for a third-party track. Despite its fun layout, Circuit Zolder is probably one for rF2 completionists only (it’s also included as part of a RaceControl Pro+ subscription).
Would you like to see more third-party tracks added in rFactor 2? Let us know what you’d like to see in the comments below.
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Thanks for the comprehensive review of Zolder!
I have driven the Clio cup there a few months ago and the project should get the attention it deserves.
The detail about the laser-scanning accuracy is impressive. There is a typical point on track I always found tricky and I have exactly that in the rF2 sim at the steering feel. Could not believe it.
I wanted to respectfully share a different perspective on the performance concerns you mentioned.
As an RACB driver myself, we have used this track yesterday on a private server to test with 25 drivers. Half of them raced there as well.
Aside of sponsoring not on the same track, no clue why, everyone really enjoyed it and to be fair I think it is the best ever recreation of Zolder.
Most of the drivers used triple screens. I was on VR and not one of us had issues in terms of performance.
I’ve been testing Zolder extensively on a private server with 25 drivers on track, and I haven’t experienced any performance issues or frame rate drops. My experience has been quite smooth, even with a full grid against AI.
Performance can vary significantly depending on hardware configuration, graphics settings, and server conditions, so it’s entirely possible we’re seeing different results based on our specific setups. It might be worth noting that multiplayer performance with a full grid can sometimes be more optimized than solo testing, depending on how the engine handles AI versus human players.
That said, your point about the catch fencing rendering issues is spot on – that’s definitely one of rF2’s ongoing visual challenges that becomes particularly noticeable at certain lighting conditions.
Overall, I agree it’s wonderful to have new officially-approved content for rF2, even if it comes through third-party developers.
I first did not want to reply, but I think by giving this info, we are not putting false flags that are not the case elsewhere.
Hope that helps. A polish website did repost your content, not even did he test it. It is a bit funny to not show more respect to such projects.
We are thinking about a crowdfund for that maker by the way.
Thanks for the feedback! Yes, performance issues will vary from player to player and depend on graphics settings.
I tested the track using a worst-case scenario in terms of graphics, giving it a proper stress test, but I’d naturally turn the settings down if I wanted to race online to enable a smooth experience.
It’s worth noting that I can run other tracks in rF2 at smooth frame-rates and maximum graphics settings.
Glad you and your friends are having fun, the Zolder project is very good quality overall.