Editing Vriendendam Racetrack

{{Short description|Motor racing circuit in Vriendendam, Netherlands}}

The '''Vriendendam Racetrack''' is a motor racing circuit in [[Vriendendam]], [[Gelderland]], [[Netherlands]]. It was constructed in 1960 by the [[Vaders]] and [[Middenvaders]] of the five founding families. The circuit originally served drivers rather than spectators and was later expanded into a venue for large racing events.<ref name="vriendendam-track"/>

== History ==
When the racetrack was constructed, its course measured approximately seven kilometres. It was narrower than the present circuit and had around fifty pit lanes. A bar was provided for drivers, but the site had no dedicated spectator venue.<ref name="vriendendam-track"/>

The circuit was later widened and extended to approximately 8.1 kilometres. The expansion increased the number of pit lanes to sixty-one. Spectator areas and support buildings were also constructed as the circuit developed into a larger racing venue.<ref name="vriendendam-track"/>

== Facilities and events ==
The present racetrack contains sixty-one pit lanes. Shops and service buildings support activity at the circuit. Dedicated spectator facilities allow larger racing events to be held at the venue.<ref name="vriendendam-track"/>

The circuit is also used for amateur and local racing. [[Cees Paap]] competed at the racetrack in such events during his involvement in modified-car racing.<ref name="cees-racing"/>

== 2016 evacuation ==
In 2016, a leak from a large diesel storage silo north of Vriendendam caused the [[Veiligheidsregio Gelderland-Midden]] to evacuate the racetrack and an adjacent shopping centre. The area reopened several weeks later after soil remediation and safety inspections. The incident resulted in stricter environmental rules for local industry and new modernization requirements for manufacturing facilities.<ref name="vriendendam-evacuation"/>

== See also ==
* [[Vriendendam]]
* [[Vaders]]
* [[Middenvaders]]
* [[Cees Paap]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="vriendendam-track">"[[Vriendendam#Vriendendam Racetrack|Vriendendam Racetrack]]". ''Vriendendam''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="cees-racing">"[[Cees Paap#Racing|Racing]]". ''Cees Paap''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
<ref name="vriendendam-evacuation">"[[Vriendendam#Environmental disaster|Environmental disaster]]". ''Vriendendam''. ''Vrienden Universe Wiki''.</ref>
}}

[[Category:Locations]]
[[Category:Vrienden]]
[[Category:Vriend Era]]