And there’s no stopping a rolling train! While the boys are working hard on an FZR and a OW01, the YCRT workshop has welcomed another true legendary racer: the original 2000 Yamaha R7 OW7L.  I received a phone call from Yamaha, saying that I could have the bike for the team, if I was interested. Seriously, I ask you: What kind of question is that…?

After setting a new world land speed record with our faithful Opel Blitz admiring an actual Yamaha factory racer has now become a daily routine in our workshop. It’s the Superbike that Haga rode to second place in the 2000 championship and also a bike that is completely new to me. What do I know about sensors, switches, ECUs and electronics? Not a lot, to be honest. In Japan people are gathering information for me and Yamaha have provided me with useful facts. I wanted a bike that could run an ECU without having to drastically change the electronics, but checking the Yamaha data I understood 12 years ago this bike used a different ECU every race! I asked the people at Yamaha if I should take the engine apart before starting it up again after 12 years. I was simply advised to progress carefully; there was no need for taking the engine apart, they assured me. So when we think the time is right we will start warming up the R7 again, and Yamaha are convinced a real racer will emerge and come back to life back again. Expect it ‘race ready’ for the Bikers’ Classics at Spa-Francorchamps. I’m already getting it a kick out of it, but getting Haga back on the bike at Spa would be the icing on the cake. Rest assured, we will try. The YCRT will also be present at a big classic race meeting at Donington, August 11^th and 12^th. The bike will be there to be admired as well as to be seen and heard. By the way, our workshop has not become a ‘four-stroke only area’, if that’s what some of you were fearing. Of course we are also preparing our two-strokes for the upcoming season, so whichever ear candy you prefer, the YCRT will continue to sound good.  Phil Read, Steve Baker and Jos Schurgers are the main riders for 2012. Steve will be out on the 0W31 and YZR250 most of the time, but also the occasional 4 stroke outing on the 0U45. Phil’s weaponry are the RD05A, and the 0W45 but having a lot of 4 stroke experience it will be no problem for Phil also to be out on Superbikes here and there. Jos being the man who has raced lightweight machines in his career will do that also this year again, the RF302, RA31A and RD56F will be his domain. Per event I will consider to add a “Guest rider” for Donington Park in august I have already decided that it will be Gary Dickinson former British 125cc Champion.

The weekend of 9-10 March I will be with 3 machines at the sho of Pecquencourt in France. Than in April the Stafford Show which has become a regular for me now.  Going there with Chris Groeneweg will be a real pleasure. We will take 5 of our machines YZ623C, YZ635, YZ634, YZ634A and the Sankito (350 3 cyl) for the Bonham’s auction and one machine (the 0W16) for “the Paddock” , why the 0W16;  because Agostini is the Guest of Honour.

Ferry Brouwer

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 5

In 1961 Cees was offered a Yamaha factory machine, the RA41, for the 125cc Dutch TT in which he finished 14^th with rearbrake problems. We are so happy that 50 years later Cees was present at Assen to celebrate Yamaha’s 50^th 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 1^st. -   1. -  1 ( 125cc-Suzuk i)

1962 – Dutch Champion – 250cc Honda                                    3^rd. -   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

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

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 5^th 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)

High hopes

On the plane from Japan to the Netherlands it came to me: this was another remarkable year. I had just spent some unforgettable days at the Yamaha Communication Plaza, but the rest of the Yamaha Classic Racing Team season had given us plenty of memorable moments. Just check my other columns and it will be clear to you that every event we are privileged to create a tiny bit of new history. Thousands of feet above the ground I literally had high hopes: it would be fantastic if 2012 could be as good as 2011.

I was very honored when Kitagawa-san invited me to come to Japan in November and talk about my history at Yamaha, our YCRT and also about Yamaha’s 50 Years in Grand Prix Celebration. I had prepared a power point presentation, not knowing exactly what to expect at the Communication Plaza. When I arrived I was told there would be numerous lectures and presentations by Yamaha people, for a motivated selection of engineers and designers. I wondered who would be interested in listening to some strange Dutch guy, but when Kitagawa-san himself introduced me with some nice words and even a specially made video I saw a packed hall. It was a humbling experience and during my presentation – I was asked to speak slowly… – I saw lots of nodding heads and people nudging each other as if to say they understood me and recognized my story. When they thanked me with a truly magnificent ovation I was really moved. Afterwards people came up to me, sometimes asking me if I could help them get a crankshaft for a TZ500, but also offering me a new NGK spark plugs deal for our YCRT.

Another highlight for me was when I was allowed to take pictures of Eddie Lawson’s Daytona winning FZ750 – you may be happy to hear work on the YCRT Lawson replica is progressing nicely. We had a dinner on Wednesday evening it was a big surprise when walking into the restaurant I saw “Yoshi” Teruo Fukuda’s mechanic in 1984 had specially come over from Kyoto to say hello. During a visit to Yamaha it is always nice to go and see Chigira san in the little restore workshop, he always sends me home with a goodies bag..

Margriet was ever so happy with my coming home present…

I think you can appreciate this was one of the highs of year for me personally. You must know that I was supposed to fly to the Japan in 1973 when I was working as a mechanic for Jarno Saarinen. That trip never happened; in many aspects this felt like a somewhat ‘late 1973 trip’. I am loyal to Yamaha and I was once again affirmed in my belief the feeling was mutual – to me and to YCRT. Our faithful mechanics Mario, André ,Chris and Yannick should also consider this as a token of respect from Yamaha to them. And they deserve it as they have once again worked long hours while preparing some of the YCRT bikes for the ’50 Years of GP Racing Exhibition’ as well as preparing bikes for demos and parades throughout Europe. This anniversary year has come to an end now. Initially I did not think much about it, but looking back it has been fantastic to be part of it, giving joy to exhibition visitors in Assen, Spa-Francorchamps, Imola, Birmingham and Paris.

It’s been another exciting season and 2012 is already looking around the corner. I have decided to sell five of the YCRT bikes; we are full speed on the Superbike track now. Don’t worry, there will still be some historical Yamaha two strokes left in the YCRT stables and we intend to have Phil Read on the 250/4 and the 125/4 plenty of times in 2012. We are proud to say that the team has already received many invitations for the new year, but our time is limited. We as a team want to discover ‘new ground’ and therefore the YCRT will probably make our ‘debut’ at Donington.

I would like to end by thanking you for all the support you have given us in 2011, thanks for all your comments, all your heart-warming remarks and all your emails and letters. Please keep them coming – they’ll get me through the cold winter nights.

On behalf of the YCRT I’d like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy 2012. See you next year!

Ferry Brouwer

PLease use this link to go to our photo album and push the button Yamaha’s 50th etc (with a photo)

To finalize the celebrations of Yamaha’s 50th Anniversary this year I was given the honour, and trust, to ride their factory GP M1 race machine for two laps at the Imola 200 Revival. On Friday before this event the Yamaha Classic Racing Team and I were invited by Yamaha teams boss, Marco Riva, to the impressive racing head-quarters next to the famous Monza Autodrome, the venue of their first world title in 1964.

Since receiving this exciting invitation some weeks before I hadn’t slept well when dreaming of its 240bhp and the fool I would look if I crashed or looped it when powering this rocket-ship out from the chicane in front of the pits!!

When entering our Yamaha pit I was even more impressed to find it fitted out as in the GP’s with a blue carpeted floor and four smart factory mechanics.

Wow, I thought, this is being taken very seriously to allow this old fart to ride their prized GP machine.

After a few laps on my 1968 championship winning 250 Yamaha, the RD05A 4 cylinder machine, built and maintained by ”the” Ferry Brouwer, owner of the great Yamaha Classic Racing Team, during which time my old team-mate, Agostini, had warmed up the M1′s slick tires, I was handed this latest world title winning machine on which to do my worst.

As I’d just been told that the wheelie and traction controls were unconnected I was even more worried as I short-shifted down the pit road to keep the front  wheel on the tarmac as the torque was dilivered in a relenless surge. After a touch or two of the front brake to get its feeling I opened the throttle out onto this famous track to feel its arm-stretching acceleration. Too frightened to redline this bellowing engine I shifted up at 15.500rpm, the limit being at 18.500rpm, I was rocketed at a speed up to the tight Tosa bend in a way I had never before experienced, trying to tame this most valuable and fastest machine I had ever ridden and stay out of the gravel. There was little engine braking due to the selective slipper clutch but the most powerful, one finger, front brake did all I needed slow and hit this bends apex in good shape to accelerate up the hill, only daring to short-shift to keep the  front wheel just pawing the air.

I now greatly admire the professional racers who can use full throttle on these most powerful factory bikes.

As I flew down to the Aqua Minerale corners I realized my mistake by earlier removing my knee sliders as slick tires the M1 on had an amazing angle of grip.  But no one was expecting me to brake records but to only underline Yamaha’s glorious 50 years of GP racing, in which I was involved during their first five full seasons of GP racing .

The M1 rocketed me from the Rivazza down to the tricky chicane at the end of my first lap right by the pits and past most fans and Yamaha officials. I thought I had overshot it as I had never before arrived there so fast. When straightened up on line I pulled the brake lever with two fingers and changing down with my left foot, I’ve always had a right gear-shifter, I decided I could make this tight chicane with some curb hopping to not look slow and unimpressive, the M1 wheeled out in good shape onto the straight. I was exhausted with fear and exalted with pleasure as I returned at speed back into the pits to the cheers of my fans and smiles of relief on the Yamaha mechanics faces. My last flying lap will always be branded in my memory. Thank you Yamaha.

Phil Read. october 2011.

It’s funny how quickly seasons fly by. In the first October weekend the Yamaha Classic Racing Team had its last outing of the year. In a way that’s a good thing, because it clearly means that we’ve been enjoying ourselves once again. And we surely did at Imola. Although the Imola Revival of the 200 Miles only celebrated its second edition, to me it has already become one of the most enjoyable events of our calendar. The reasons for that are simple. The Italian atmosphere is unique, people are smiling and easy going and tradition rules in the paddock. Jos Schurgers had a most unfortunate coming together with a slower rider – nothing has changed since his Grand Prix days! – and crashed heavily, but apart from that it was an unforgettable weekend. You tend to get used to people coming up to you and thanking you for keeping the Yamaha legacy alive, but we sincerely appreciate every compliment we get. Some of those are special. Like the one we received from our special guest Don Emde. I had not met Don personally, but thanks to the wonders of email we got to know each other pretty well. And what a true gentleman this Daytona 1972 winner proved to be. Don rode a Yamaha 350, specially painted in his Daytona winning colors. Don’s win in 1972 was historic as he was the first Daytona 200 winner on a 350. When he flew to Italy to take part in the 1972 Imola 200 the organizers did not allow him to race the 350. I’m sure they feared the Ducati’s would not stand a chance taking on Don and his nimble 350 twin!

It had been some time since he rode a racing bike, but soon Don got into the groove again and produced some fast and clean laps. Don was overjoyed and overwhelmed by the fans and almost felt the pressure being out on the track. He even apologized to me when other riders were a little more aggressive on entering the first chicane. Well, these events are about going fast, but it’s all about enjoying yourself and entertaining the crowds. And that’s what Don did. The event program showed a picture of a young Don, but people quickly recognized him and he probably signed more autographs and directed more TV interviews than during his racing career. Don, clearly touched by the warmth of the fans and the reception by our team, sent me a wonderful ‘thank you’ email which gave me the impression this was not a one off. The YCRT is ever expanding.

The whole Imola experience was one to remember. Before we drove down to the circuit a number of us – including Don and Steve Baker – visited the Yamaha Motor Racing headquarters in Milan and we enjoyed a tour through the work shop. That was a sort of birthday present to our much appreciated Chris Groeneweg who celebrated his 75^th birthday that day. Chris has been with us from the start and I think spannering for the YCRT keeps him young. Well, at least I like to think so.

Margriet and I mixed ‘business’ with pleasure. On our way back to the Netherlands we visited my good friend Luciano Battisti. Luciano, whose father raced Motobi’s a long time ago, is such an enthusiastic racing addict, who does not only cherish Yamaha but also Benelli. He helped me out with spare parts for our new FZ750 Lawson Replica project and I provided him with some parts that he needed. That’s what we do: we help each other out and that underlines the special atmosphere between many of us in this Classic racing paddock. Luciano – who has a former Morbidelli mechanic working on his bikes (almost) full time! – is also a keen supporter of our new four stroke plans and the comments I have been getting from many people have convinced me even more that Superbike is the way to go for the future. As much as I love the Imola event, next year we should be careful not to do a ‘simple’ re-run of the 2011 show. Ago, Phil Read, Stevie (the three of them were involved in the ‘Yamaha 50 years of GP Racing’ celebration), Kork Ballington, Dieter Braun and Tepi Länsivuori were all there, but next year could be even more interesting if the grid shows some fresh blood. As far as this is concerned the Spa Bikers’ Classics is showing the way. How about Fred Merkel on a Honda, Wes Cooley on his Suzuki and Rob Phillis on a Kawasaki? A reliable source tells me that even John Kocinski might put on his leathers again if we go Superbike.

I’ve still got quite a few interesting things coming up in the next few months, but already we are looking forward to 2012. We’ll get the YCRT show on the road again before you know it!

Ferry Brouwer  (october 2011)