New Dutch Grand Prix in Sint Anthonis?
The Village of the Motocross of the Aces wants to revive its motocross history! Not just new life, but the driving force behind the book “Motocross of the Aces – a Golden Era” and the reunions, Marcel Hermans would like to bring the Dutch Grand Prix to Sint Anthonis in one of the following years!
Marcel talked about this news; “During the Grand Prix of Assen in 2017, we contacted promoter Youthstream. This is to let them know that they want to organize a Grand Prix in Sint Anthonis.” This phrase came about because of the successful “Motocross of the Aces” but also because Jeffrey Herlings has come to live in the village for a few years. Add both together with the undeniable and immense motocross history that the village has and it makes for a very interesting package. Not only Youthstream immediately showed interest, Mayor Marleen Sijbers was also immediately enthusiastic.
It was she who came up with the perfect location. “Circuit de Hoef”, which was located in the middle of the village center of Sint-Anthonis, has not existed for a while, but the “Radio Circuit in Stevensbeek” also does not meet strict international standards. So Mayor Marleen Sijbers came up with the area around the Bergen recreational park. The recreation park has expertise in major events and they have sufficient space, according to Marcel Hermans.
In addition, a course can be built on one of the adjacent grounds, as we saw in Frauenfeld, Switzerland. A course with two sides of stands from which the public can view the entire course and then some nice places for fans who prefer to stand with their feet in the mud at the crush barriers.
History of “Motocross of the Aces”
Do you know the Motocross of the Aces? This was an annual international opening classic just before the start of the Grand Prix season and took place on the famous De Hoef circuit in the Brabant peel village of St. Anthonis.
The first race was held on September 7, 1947 and was considered a black cross. The last race on the Hoef circuit took place on March 11, 1984. The organization of this grand event was in the hands of the Sinttunnisse Motor Club (SMC). In 1985 they moved once to the Radio Circuit in Stevensbeek and then finally threw in the towel.
More than 500 international riders rode on this circuit in the period from 1947 to 1985, including many MX legends including 34 European and World Champions, namely Bengt Aberg (S), Hakan Andersson (S), Leslie Archer (UK), René Baeten (B), John van den Berk (NL), Fritz Betzlbacher (D), Dave Bickers (UK), Hakan Carlqvist (S), Jaromir Cizek (CZ), Roger De Coster (B), John Draper (UK), Harry Everts (B), Paul Friedrichs (GDR), Torsten Hallman (S), Ton van Heugten (NL), Neil Hudson (UK), Georges Jobé (B), Heinz Kinigadner (A), Brad Lackey (USA), Sten Lundin (S), André Malherbe (B), Heikki Mikkola (SF), August Mingels (B), Gennady Moiseev (USSR), Bill Nisson (S), Graham Noyce (UK), Gaston Rahier (B), Joël Robert ( B), Jeff Smith (UK), Dave Strijbos (NL), Dave Thorpe (UK), Rolf Tibblin (S), Pekka Vehkonen (SF), Akira Watanabe (JP).
Source history: motocrossderazen.com
Text: Matthias Van Eeckhoven – Photo: motocrossderazen.com
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