Bringing classic motorcycles and ditto cars together and revive the competition history. It happened on the TT circuit in Assen from 16 to 18 September. The Classic GP experienced its baptism of fire and passed it with flying colours. Moreover, the organization brought big names to Drenthe and did not deliver half the work in that respect either. The fans of historic motorcycle and car racing really enjoyed themselves and were also attracted to the Classic GP. They came to Assen in their thousands, braved the changing weather conditions and thoroughly enjoyed a top event.
In the run-up to Classic GP we spoke with Bertram Buikema. He has been involved in the event from the start. Buikema said that the Classic GP had been prepared down to the last detail, and that the organization had gone to great lengths to attract big names and illustrious heritage. “When you can tie Gijs van Lennep as a guest of honour, you are just proud. And so is Giacomo Agostini. He deals in world titles and is a real household name in motorsport history. He is one of the greatest drivers of all time. We think it's great that he's coming home to Assen. And take a look at other names too, such as Marco Werner, Phil Read, Carlos Lavado and Dieter Braun. In all modesty: with such a guest list you will look good. We are also very satisfied with the equipment that comes to Assen for various competitions. This makes a rich motor and motorsport history very tangible.”
Most participants field car related, conscious choice
The majority of the field of participants and the associated heritage was car related. The logical explanation for this is that there are more historic motorsport classes than motorcycle classes, and that also translated into the structure of the Classic GP agenda. “We have adjusted ourselves in advance to this relationship between historic track cars and racing engines,” says Bertram Buikema. “Nevertheless, we have made every effort to bring motorsport home. The Motorcycle Legends section - containing the most legendary motorcycles - and the arrangement of legendary GP motorcycles on the paddock are a few examples of this. Logical, because there is a lot, a lot of motorsport history in Assen.”
Giacomo Agostini the celebrated man in Assen
To start with the Motorcycle Legends: the most successful motorcycle racer of all time, the Italian Giacomo Agostini, was of course the man within this segment. The Yamaha Racing Heritage Club showcased an extensive collection of successful Grand Prix racers and crossers and the presence of World Champions Phil Read, Dieter Braun and Carlos Lavado. Tim and Tom Coronel ventured on the Eysink motorcycle with which their grandfather Bertus van Hamersveld drove the TT in 1932. Beautiful!
350 cc legend Leen Rehorst back in Assen after 65 years
The presence of 92-year-old Leen Rehorst was very special. He drove the Dutch TT's of 1955, 1956 and 1957 and became the best Dutchman in the 350 cc class. Rehorst was back with start number 46 for the first time since his last TT (1957, so after 65 years) at Assen. and was presented with a plaque of the 1957 TT poster in honor of TT circuit director Peter Oosterbaan. A wonderful moment, which also showed that old heroes always deserve to be honored.
Marco Werner lives up to reputation
As said: more drivers of name and fame appeared in Assen. Like three-time Le Mans winner Marco Werner. The German won the first race with prototype Group C sports cars in the KW Group C Supercup, er packed aus. He defeated the Dutchman Michiel Campagne in his Spice SE88 with the Gebhardt C92. Allard Kalff took the place of honor in the second race with the Spice, Werner finished second just behind.
Impressive
The 'Historic Formel Vau Europa eV' provided an impressive display of historic formula races in 2 regularity races. The Dutchman Mark Spanbroek won the 1st race with his Kaimann FV 1300; race 2 was won by the German driver Nick Wittkuhn, who also drove a Kaimann FV 1300. Dutchman Tijn Jilissen came out on top in a Porsche 964 RS in a battle between a large number of touring cars in the Youngtimer Touring Car Challenge. In race 2 he retired after 4 laps and the German Walter Hoffmann won in his McLaren MC1; undoubtedly helped by his experience in Assen as a motorcycle racer. His compatriot Daniel Schrey drove the ex-Le Mans Kremer Porsche 935 to victory in race 3, having already achieved two 2nd places in the first 2 races.
Herbert Wein Jr wins with Mini Cooper Kampf der Zwerge
The sporty compacts were united in the 'Kampf der Zwerge'. This category has been raced since the 66s. You could also taste the history of this blood group in Assen. The Kampf der Zwerge consisted of a series of two races. German Herbert Wein Jr won both with a Morris Mini Cooper. Reigning Dutch GTCC 81-1 Champion Jan Willem Oosterhagen blasted to victory in Race 2000 in his Ford Escort RS911. Compatriot Hans de Graaf won the second race with his Porsche XNUMX.
HARC and Bimmer Challenge
The four races in the Dutch Championship HARC 82-90 yielded three different winners with Rob de Laat in his Opel Ascona B 1900 in race 1. The second race was won by Pieter Bikker in his BMW E30, with De Laat behind it as 2e. The last two races were also won in a BMW E30, this time driven by Pepijn Kraaijeveld. At the debut of the all-new Bimmer Challenge, Jan Bot Jr. celebrated victory in all three races. In the BMW-only class, his M3 Linder BMW proved to be the most powerful 'Bimmer'.
Enjoying the paddock
The Dutch Vintage Sports Car Club paraded over the track with more than 20 pre-war sports cars, and the pre-wars also attracted a lot of attention on the paddock. The collection consisted of beautiful specimens. JACK'S GP presented historic F1 and F2 cars. The Heartbeat Corvette Club also came to Assen with a fine collection of Corvettes. The public could feast on seven generations of the famous American sports car. In addition, the many interested parties saw various legendary competition motorcycles and the historic two- and four-wheelers participating in the competitions.
“Success despite competition elsewhere”
After the Classic GP we spoke again with Bertram Buikema. He looked back on the three-day celebration at the Cathedral of Speed in Assen with a good feeling. "Absolute. Yes, it is a given that we did not have the weather with us. We also had to deal with the fact that Goodwood was also being held during our weekend, and that is of course an immense and respectable event from way back. In addition, the Moto GP was on television. Nevertheless, we managed to get a nice field of participants with ditto equipment to Assen. And most competition classes were well filled. In addition, the first Classic GP really attracted a large audience. For us, these are all signs that there is growth potential in the event, and that is really the gain from last weekend.”
Quality with growth potential
Finally: the organization deserves a big compliment. Communication with the press and the public was excellent, those responsible left nothing to be desired before and during the event. The website is more than attractive, and the supplied photo material (see the photo gallery published below) leaves nothing to be desired for improvement. Everything was well arranged in advance, and that is less obvious than it seems. Count on the fact that the perfect organization of an event takes a lot of time. The way in which the organization managed things in Assen says a lot about the ambition to put Classic GP-Assen on the map from the outset. This also shows how much potential the event has to become an illustrious and permanent value.
Was that Hendrik vd Veen from Drachten
I enjoyed 3 days despite the weather. What a grandiose collection of cars and motorcycles and what a cool set up, so big compliments! This tastes like much more. And it's ideal of course if you live near the circuit, so come and check it out regularly with trackdays
Apparently Friday was the day most participants missed. It disappointed. What it traditionally revolves around in Assen, the engines, was the neglected child. Unfortunately no compliments from my side. So clearly a lot, a lot of room for improvement!
we have a TT winner in our family, too late I found out that my wife's grandfather in 1926 on a 750cc scott was the winner in his class.
a tough guy!