Motor Racing, how I got infected

Since August 2025 I have started with Motor racing. At the age of 62 years. And since then I’m asking myself why didn’t I start at a much younger age? This feels so f…ing good.

I bought an Aprilia rsv1000r from 2004. My BMW mechanic (Jeroen, see other posts) pointed out to me that tis was for sale. Mike, the previous owner and a Aprilia fanatic, was full of love about his bike but had to let her go. Gladely I took over ownership.

The Mille (1000 cc 2 cilinder) has no blinkers, no mirror or whatsoever to allow riding on the street, Mike stripped as much as possible. Beginning of this year Kees, see other posts, did an amazing job by tuning my Mille. Removing more balast, unnecessary cables, new filters, adjusting settings etc. He is a magician when it comes to “make love” to an Aprillia.

In 2025 I enjoyed the Mille 3 times on a track.

My first experience was a cornering training at Lelystad. 2 The experience supplies to starters a corner drive course. A small track, with slow and hard corners. For me, first time on my 2 cilinder 1000 cc, it was hard work. After the first session I was overheated, sick from the corners and almost quite the other sessions. But the instructor gave me some trick to make it easier (stay in gear 2!!) and the following session it was easier, session by session. Here I met Robin Grunn (not his real name) and he pocked me to join the “Aprilia hub”. And yes, this is porn to an Aprilia lover.
Second time was on my “home track” the TT Assen. The dutch KNMV was the organizer and non experienced bikers could enjoy a day racing/driving on the “Cathedral of Speed” as TT Assen is called. At the start theory was about how to drive, take a corner, optimize the track and more. During the rest of the morning it was time to go on the track: using half of the track and feeling the asphalt, the grip and what other drivers shouldn’t do. After the lunch it was time to race on the full track. Split into 5 groups, depending on speed and experience, we raced on the full track. This was a valuable day as I learned to control my Mille, she was feeling more comfortable and loved going into the corners.
In November I joined a Track Day at TT Assen, again organized by ” 2 the experience”. A full day, 5 sessions of 20 minutes, on the track and led by an instructor. We managed to have a group of Aprilla Hub members and Robin Ontrack was our instructor. Unfortunately this was a rainy day with a wet track and end of the day full in the rain. My idea was what Robin can do in the rain and doesn’t slip, I can do. And this was a very valuable day, racing in the rain at (for me) full speed. Last sessions we build enough to go full speed, despite the rain, and drove faster than all the other group. Robin, again many thanks.