Five minutes with Danny De Baets
The Hasselaar has been in motocross all his life and is still closely connected to the sport and the KEMEA team of Hans Corvers. He has been running a branded garage for years and will soon start a Yamaha agency. High time to ask Danny De Baets some questions.
He is closely connected to Hans Corvers and his KEMEA team and has been supporting this successful team for years. But Danny De Baets was also a successful motocross rider and rode GPs in the 125cc class for several years. We had a conversation with the friendly man and it was almost entirely about the cross.
How did you come into contact with motocross back then?
Danny De Baets: When I was 3 years old, my parents gave me an Italjet so that I could do some racing in the meadow at home. When I turned six I rode my first race in Overpelt. That was a race that was held every two weeks on the same track. Then we went through the entire youth process until I turned fifteen. Then I switched to 'the big association' to ride for the Beloften. At 17de I rode my first GP in Genk. In 1994 I stopped competing and three years later started a second career as a motocross rider in the ranks of the VLM.
Where does the long-standing connection with Hans Corvers' KEMEA team come from?
Danny De Baets: I have known Hans Corvers from an early age. His parents lived behind my grandparents. I was nine or ten years old at the time and his parents also went to the cross country to watch the youth series. Then we met again because the cross world is very small. When Hans started the KEMEA team, I worked at the Van Horne motorcycle dealer in Hechtel. The contact between Hans and I became increasingly closer and so I started driving for his team in 2003. Since then we have become very good friends.
At the time you were a top rider in the ranks of the VLM and the FAM. Never felt the need to aim a little higher?
Danny De Baets: Not anymore during that period because we already had that. You must be able to grow in this from an early age. I was 26 or 27 years old at the time and taking that step back to a higher level at that age is not easy. Moreover, you have already built a life, you have a job and you have to make choices. It has been a pleasure to be able to drive with the VLM for those years. It was also nice that there were also foreign trips for the IMBA. Those were nice weekend trips with the family.
How long were you active in the GPs?
Danny De Baets: I rode Grand Prix for three seasons from the age of seventeen. That was then with those qualifications. In that first year I was able to qualify for my first 125cc GP in Genk and after that I was able to qualify half of the races and the other half not. Things got better during the second year, but it remained difficult. There were 120 pilots who offered to qualify while only 40 were allowed to participate in the GP. During that period I also did not have access to top engines. The material I had afterwards in the enthusiasts' association was actually much better.
You are currently developing a Yamaha agency in Hasselt. Why this step?
Danny De Baets: The engines have always been with me and I am still deeply involved with KEMEA. Just over two years ago we were given the opportunity to buy a piece of land next to the existing garage. Then we thought about how we could fill this spot. I wondered what the future of cars would look like and whether we could expand that to the motorcycle industry. This got the ball rolling and we will soon be able to open a Yamaha agency. The opening is scheduled for April 16 and 17, the Easter weekend. Then of course everyone is welcome.
Will you also distribute cross and enduro models?
Danny De Baets: Yes, we will distribute the entire Yamaha range. The entire segment for the track is included, from scooters to heavier motorcycles. In the off-road segment we do cross, enduro and also quads. Yamaha is coming out with electric bicycles and we are going to do that too. This is important here in Hasselt to be able to respond to changing mobility.
Who will be MX2 world champion this year?
Danny De Baets: Jago Geerts of course (smiles). We have to stand behind our man.
Do you also follow the MXGP and Supercross?
Danny De Baets: Yes, I'm following that closely too. I follow Supercross less, although I do browse through the results.
Jeffrey Herlings was unable to defend his fifth world title due to an injury. How do you see the future of The Bullet?
Danny De Baets: Herlings will have to be very careful and use his body sparingly. The years tick by mercilessly and he has already missed out on several world titles. He will have to be careful with his body if he wants to last a few more years.
Who was the toughest opponent in your career?
Danny De Baets: During my youth and in the first years at the BMB, that was Danny Theybers. Afterwards at the VLM it was certainly Bengt Laeremans.
Do you have a favorite motocross track?
Danny De Baets: I've been thinking about it, but Namur is definitely part of it. I rode my first cross there with the Inters and the atmosphere there is really special. Also put the Stadsbroek in Borgloon on the list. It's a shame that these kinds of circuits have all disappeared.
Which dirt bike left a big impression on you during your career as a motocross rider?
Danny De Baets: I didn't really have a favorite bike, but the one that sticks with me the most is my first Suzuki RM250 from 1993 and I also felt great on a Kawasaki KX250. After that I had a lot of fun on Yamaha's 250 four-stroke.
Two-stroke or four-stroke?
Danny De Baets: Give me a 250cc four-stroke today. On a two-stroke you have to work harder while a four-stroke is a little more forgiving.
Which victory was the greatest of your career?
Danny De Baets: A side series at De Citadel in Namur! My first race for the big association in 1992. That was very nice to experience.
Do you think electric dirt bikes have a future?
Danny De Baets: Certainly. Whether you want it or not, it can no longer be stopped. It's just going to happen and it's a matter of when. So yes, I believe in it.
Do you support other teams or pilots?
Danny De Baets: Today with the garage we only support the Hans Corvers team, but we do plan to support pilots through the new Yamaha motorcycle shop. That is no longer feasible for this year, but we certainly want to do that for 2023.
Photos: FB Danny De Baets and archive
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