Precast concrete kerbs at Spa-Francorchamps: Larco’s expertise

Belgium’s most iconic racetrack demands infrastructure that matches its global reputation. For several years, Larco, a company based in Welkenraedt in Wallonia, has been designing and manufacturing precast concrete kerbs installed at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.

Drawing on its expertise in precast concrete elements, Larco contributes directly to the safety, performance, and prestige of one of the most legendary circuits in motorsport.

Widely regarded as one of the most spectacular circuits in the world, the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is set in the heart of the Belgian Ardennes, near the Hautes Fagnes nature reserve. The track is surrounded by dense forests, rolling hills, and unspoiled landscapes, creating a truly unique setting.

More than just a racetrack, Spa-Francorchamps is a landmark of international motorsport, hosting major global competitions. Its layout — featuring long straights and high-speed corners — places exceptionally demanding technical requirements on track infrastructure.

Among these critical elements, kerbs play a key role in ensuring both driver safety and on-track performance.

Kerbs are raised track edges located on the inside and exit of corners. They serve several important functions:

On a fast and challenging circuit like Spa-Francorchamps, drivers take certain corners at extreme speeds. As a result, kerbs are subjected to constant stress from race cars, endurance prototypes, and high-performance single-seater cars.

They must therefore remain fully reliable under extreme and continuous loads.

To meet the demands of modern motorsport, Larco manufactures its kerbs using high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete.

This advanced material offers several key advantages:

The fibers embedded in the concrete strengthen its internal structure and enhance its ability to absorb mechanical stress. This ensures kerbs that can withstand heavy use while maintaining precise geometry over time.

Larco’s collaboration with the Belgian circuit began at one of the most famous sections in motorsport: Raidillon de l’Eau Rouge (red water).

This legendary uphill sequence is widely considered one of the most challenging and iconic corners in the world. Cars pass through it at very high speed, imposing extremely strict technical requirements on track infrastructure.

Larco’s kerbs were specifically engineered to withstand the intense mechanical stress generated by repeated high-speed use.

Following this successful first project, the partnership expanded, and Larco’s precast kerbs are now installed on several other sections of the circuit.

Each racing circuit has its own technical characteristics, including corner radius, speed profiles, elevation changes, drainage requirements, and safety constraints. All elements must also comply with standards defined by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).
For this reason, kerbs require dedicated engineering studies prior to production.

The Larco kerbs are custom-made and manufactured in our workshop as precast concrete elements that meet all required specifications. This approach provides several advantages:

Precasting also ensures fast and efficient installation, particularly during track maintenance or upgrade works.