Dutch Road Racing (Nederlandse Wegracen) 1967-1981 Part 1
Being a small country, Holland only has two permanent race tracks in Zandvoort and Assen. So how do you go about having national championships when you only have two circuits to race on? For motorcycle racing in the 70's and 80's, there was a simple remedy to this problem: public road racing.
A bit of history (Een beetje geschiedenis)
The Dutch TT was first held in 1925 on roads around the town of Assen and became an international event two years later. However despite the TT, a national championship failed to become firmly established, despite several attempts. In fact, for many years, the TT was the only motorcycle race held in Holland. A championship centred around Zandvoort, Assen, Tubbergen and Etten was held in the 50's but soon died out.
The Koninklijke Nederlandse Motorrijders Vereniging (translated as the Royal Dutch Motorcycle Riders Association) was the main organising body in the country, yet was reluctant to set up a championship in the late 60's. So under the stewardship of the Nederlandse Motorrijders Bond (translated as the Dutch Motorcycle Riders Association) a Dutch road-racing championship was set up in 1967, using public road circuits around the country (plus the odd sojourn into Belgium). This proved to be immediately popular and in the early days an enthusiastic rider could take part in an NMB meeting with a stock machine if he was quick enough.
The first NMB road race was held was held at Reusel on the 2nd April 1967 and was the first of fifteen races held by the club that year. The KNMV carried on holding the TT at Assen and several races at Hengelo, Oldebroek and Zandvoort, plus international meetings at Tubbergen and the Zandvoort 6 hours. However, it was the NMB that had a championship and it attracted a lot of competitors, despite its underdog status. However, the KNMV then decided to start a championship of their own, giving more choice for competitors and racing fans.
Gathering pace
With two competing organisations running two different championships, there seemed to be a meeting or two every weekend. However, the trump card of FIM recognition was held in the hands of the KNMV, a factor that would become more important as the 1970's wore on. The KNMV did not recognise the KNB and was referred to as "De Zwarte Bond" (The Black Club), leading to a rivalry between the organisations. The venues for both championships were primarily public road circuits; these were usually narrow, single lane roads that were lined with trees and lamp posts. To get a better idea, take a look at this 1974 meeting at Oldenbroek:
Many layouts came and went, but the mainstays of Dutch road racing were Tubbergen, Hengelo, Oss, Tolbert, Helmond and Ammerzoden. The KNMV also ran the odd race on the Flemish Belgian circuits of Nivelles and St Joris ten Distel. In addition to the standard meetings for all classes, the KNB put on special events such as the Helmond 200 miles race and the special 24 hours of Oss. Take a look at the preparations for the 1972 race below.
Health and Safety would have a fit! Watch out for the trees!
Moving up
It was at events such as these up and down the country that top KNB racers such as Jack Middelburg and Boet Van Dulman cut their teeth. However if their careers were to progress onto the international stage then they would have to cross the line and join the Dutch number one rider, Wil Hartog, at the KNMV.
Part 2 on it's way.
