Dutch Motorcycle Road Racing legend Cees van Dongen passed away on 23-12-2011.

Cees van Dongen was a great roadracer, but perhaps an ever greater technician ( a genius). When everybody even factories machines were still using conventional contactbrakerpoint ignitions Cees and his father had developed a thyristor ignition already in 1959!. Casting cylinders or making a 9 speed gearbox for his Kreidler, dry clutch and 6 speed gearbox for his Yamaha, nothing was a problem for Cees.  Even 4 strokes did not have any secrets for him, his Honda CR93 was the fastest machine in the field finishing 5th at the 125cc Dutch TT, leaving several works machines behind him.

In 1961 Cees was offered a Yamaha factory machine, the RA41, for the 125cc Dutch TT in which he finished 14th with rearbrake problems. We are so happy that 50 years later Cees was present at Assen to celebrate Yamaha’s 50th anniversary.

From Cees I have learned a lot, and it has been a real privilege to have known him so close for so many years.

Thanks Cees and rest in peace.

Ferry.

( if you wish to pay your respect to his family you can send an e-mail to ceesvandongen32@gmail.com )

NAME                         :  CEES VAN DONGEN

DATE OF BIRTH        :  25 February 1932 -  PLACE OF BIRTH:  Rotterdam .              DIED: 23-12-2011 – Capelle a/d IJssel.

FIRST RACE              :  1953 – Vriezenveen Overijssel – 50cc Victoria – RETIRED FROM RACING: 1980 after Dutch TT Assen.

GRAND PRIX DEBUT: 1957 – ASSEN/NED – 125cc NSU FOX (retired)

FIRST GP WIN            :  1969 – Jarama/SPAIN – 125cc Suzuki RT65

TOTAL GP WINS        :  1.   1-125cc-Suzuki

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:                                                                   TOTAL GP PODIUM  PLACES : 4

1958 – Dutch Champion – 250cc NSU 1st. -   1. -  1 ( 125cc-Suzuk i)

1962 – Dutch Champion – 250cc Honda                                    3rd. -   3.  -  2 ( 125cc-Suzuki ) 1 ( 125cc-Yamaha )                                                           

1963 – Dutch Champion – 125cc Honda

1964 – Dutch Champion -   50cc Kreidler

1964 – Dutch Champion – 125cc Honda                                                                                                         

1965 – Dutch Champion – 250cc Bultaco                                                                                                       

1966 – Dutch Champion – 125cc Honda                                                                                                               

1967 – Dutch Champion – 125cc Honda

1968 – Dutch Champion – 250cc Yamaha

1971 – Dutch Champion – 125cc Yamaha

1972 – Dutch Champion – 125cc Yamaha

1976 – Dutch Champion -   50cc Kreidler

1978 – Dutch Champion – 125cc Morbidelli

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RESULTS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS:

YEAR   /        POS     /           CLASS   /    MACHINE        /   GP WINS COUNTRY

1969               3rd                  125cc           Suzuki               /   1.  SPAIN

MACHINES HE HAS RIDDEN IN HIS CAREER.

50cc    Victoria

50cc    DMF

50cc    Durkopp

50cc    Royal Nord

50cc    Kreidler

50cc    Kreidler 12 speed (Works)

50cc    van Veen Kreidler (Works)

50cc    Jamathi (Works)

50cc    Roton

50cc    Honda RC110 (Works)

50cc    Honda CR110

50cc    Bultaco

125cc    NSU Fox

125cc    NSU Renfox (Works)

125cc    MV Agusta (Works)

125cc    DKW

125cc    Eysink

125cc    Honda RC145 (2 cyl Works)

125cc    Honda RC146 (4 cyl Works)

125cc    Honda CR93 (Home tuned fastest in the world 5th 1966 Dutch TT)

125cc    MZ RE (works)

125cc    Bridgestone

125cc    Suzuki RT65 (Works)

125cc    Yamaha RA41 (Works)

125cc    Yamaha (Home tuned fastest in the world)

125cc    Morbidelli

125cc    MBA

250cc    NSU Sportmax

250cc    Honda RC162 ( 4 cyl Works)

250cc    Honda CR72

250cc    Bultaco

250cc    Yamaha TD2

250cc    Yamaha RD56 (Works)

500cc    Norton Manx

500cc    Honda CB450 (Endurance Racing)