tourist trophy assen

Tourist Trophy

Op het Britse Isle of Man werd in 1907 de eerste TT georganiseerd. De race werd gereden door toeristen op het eiland en kreeg daarom de naam ‘Tourist Trophy’. De race was een succes, werd erg populair en in korte tijd verspreidde de naam TT zich door heel Europa.

Doorn in het oog

De dubbele T’s werden vervolgens te pas en te onpas door heel Europa gebruikt. Dit werd de Britten een doorn in het oog. Rigoureus besloten de Britten dat de naam TT door niemand anders nog gebruikt mocht worden. Alle races moesten hun naam wijzigen. Toch was Assen een uitzondering. De status die de TT had gekregen sinds 1925 maakte dat alleen ons circuit de officiële toestemming kreeg om de naam TT ‘ten eeuwige dage’ te gebruiken.

Cathedral of Speed

De TT Assen was vanaf het begin ook een echte ‘Tourist Trophy’. Honderdduizenden motorliefhebbers uit de hele wereld trokken op hun motor, met alleen een tentje achterop, naar Assen voor een week met gelijkgestemden. Niet voor niets dat Assen de bijnaam Cathedral of Speed kreeg: Assen is sinds de start van de WK-cyclus in 1949 als enige circuit ter wereld op de kalender blijven staan.

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TT Circuit Assen – The history

TT Circuit Assen in the Netherlands is also called the “ Cathedral of motorsport “. In this article I tell you the history of this famous race track, best known for the Dutch MotoGP Grand Prix . From the first version of 1925 to the 1926 – 1954 street circuit. And from the drivers strike during the opening of the new circuit in 1955 to the current permanent circuit and its lost sections.

The origination of TT Circuit Assen

In 1924 the Dutch government decided to change a law to make it possible to organize races on public roads. The first time this happens was on July the 11th 1925 when a motorcycle race was organized on the triangle Rolde, Borger, Schoonloo near the city of Assen in the East of the Netherlands. Carefully they called it a “non stop endurance tour”.

The track was 28.4 km (17.75 Miles) long and contained long straights and fast kinks. However, we have to notice that the track was very narrow and some parts were unpaved. There were also two small bridges in the track who were so narrow that they had to cross them one by one.

The first ever motor race in the Netherlands in the 250 cc was won by Arie Wuring, a Motorcycle Dealer from Haarlem, with an average speed of 67.3 km/h (42.06 Mph). About 10,000 spectators, not yet used to speed at that time, were lyric enthusiast afterwards.

Video from a lap at the 1925 track today

The next race on a “new” TT Circuit Assen

After this successful event it was clear to the organizers that this should become an annual event. But to give green light for the 1926 race some improvements to the track were required. The local government of Borger didn’t want to spent money for road paving. So the organizers were looking out for a new course.

More close to Assen a new course was found in the rectangle Assen, Hooghalen, Laaghalerveen, Assen which was full paved. However, a part was paved with bricks as many roads were at that time.

The track was 16.536 km (10.335 Miles) long and was at least three metres wide. Just like the 1925 track this one also contained long straights and fast kinks.

Video from a lap at the 1926 – 1954 track today

On June the 26th 1926 the second TT (Tourist Trophy) took place at the new TT Circuit Assen. Unfortunately there were less spectators than the organizers expected and the event closed with a negative saldo of 5000 Guilders.

But lucky for all Dutch motorsport enthusiasts, the “Men of Assen” (which was the nickname for the organizers) didn’t give up. The Royal Dutch Motorcycle Association KNMV supported them and gave the event an international status to make it possible for foreign drivers to race at Assen.

The official Dutch TT since 1936

In 1927 15,000 spectators came to the event which was a huge crowd at that time. During the next years spectators came in bigger numbers every year. In 1930 the TT of Assen gets the status of “Classic Event” from the FIdCM (now the FIM ). The name “Dutch TT” was officially registered in 1936. From that moment TT Circuit Assen was the only place outside Great Brittain who was allowed to use the name TT.

In 1939 the last pre-war Dutch TT took place. During World War Two there were no races at Assen. In 1946 the motorcycles are back at the race track of Assen. In 1949 the FIM launched the official World Championship for motorcycles. Since then the Dutch TT is a round for the World Championship.

During the years improvements had to be made to the track like a new surface, better facilities, more grandstands, a speakers installation and the track was widened two times. But they never changed the lay out of the track.

Another new TT Circuit Assen

During the fifties the organisation decided that a brand new circuit was necessary. There are different opinions about the motivation for this.

The official reason was that the 16.5 km long track was not longer suitable for motorcycle races due to the construction of a new road from Assen to Hooghalen. But unofficial sources told that the local government of Assen would no longer share the profits with neighbour town Beilen, a part of the track was laying on the territory of Beilen.

When in 1955 the new TT Circuit Assen, which was complete on the territory of Assen, was opened some angry people of Beilen predicted that it should be all over for the Dutch TT very soon. Probably this was what they wished…

The inauguration of the new TT Circuit Assen

After 29 years it was time to say goodbye to the old circuit with the famous corners “Bartelds Bocht” and “Oude Tol”. The new TT Circuit Assen was “just” 7.705 km (4.8 Miles) long and was the basis of the current circuit.

The new TT Circuit Assen was constructed in a record time of less than four months. That’s why they called it “The miracle of Assen”. During the first Dutch TT on the new track in 1955 the organisation was confronted with a drivers strike!

After the drivers of the 500 cc class, the current MotoGP class, did a warm up lap at slow speed and saw how much spectators there were they decided to claim more start money. Fortunately for the spectators, drivers and organisation came to an agreement and the race could go ahead.

For the new TT Circuit Assen they used the same Start/Finish area which was public road. Today the Start/Finish is still at the same place but the whole circuit is now permanent.

Two new loops were constructed, the North Loop and the South Loop. To connect these two loops they constructed a fast new section, the “Veenslang”, parallel to the main straight. This about 1 km (0.625 Miles) long section was a sort of copy of the local public roads with fast kinks, most of them were full throttle, which was a special sensation for the drivers.

Partically the last kink of this section, the “Ruskenhoek”, was a big challenge. Here they also enter a part of the old track which was originally driven in the opposite direction (see the map above). Today this part has been changed dramatically and lost much of its old glorie.

TT Circuit Assen becomes a permanent race track

Because a part of the circuit was still public road the whole circuit was open when there were no races. So many people took this opportunity to drive at TT Circuit Assen. To be frankly, I was one of them.

After some grave accidents happen, even a few fatalities, during these illegal “Track Day’s” the local government decided in 1992 to close the road and make the semi street circuit a permanent race track.

The danger of illegal circuit driving…

In 1990 the circuit was closed for a while for renovation works. Short after the works I went to Assen for a visit. The gates to the circuit were half open and there was a “no trespassing” sign. Before I would enter the circuit illegal I first want to check what the risk was to got caught. So I drove around the circuit to the entrance at Stekkenwal Corner. That entrance was also half open with “no trespassing” sign. Here a couple of men looked to the circuit. On the track were some road cars driving at high speed. I parked my car, went to the men and asked if they were from the TT Circuit. They confirmed and I told them that I often drove on the track, and asked if I could do some laps. That was no problem for them, if I would behave. Delighted with that permission I enter the brand new asphalt, which felt a little slippery. But now I finally had the chance to do a full lap at high speed, without worry about oncoming traffic. At least that’s what I tought… I entered the fast Ramshoek Corner with the idea to take it full throttle. Full throttle meant with my Opel Kadett a top speed of 130 a 140 Km/h. That was no problem if there wasn’t a ghost rider on the track! Halfway the corner I saw him right in front of me. Someone ignored the “no trespassing” signs and drove through the half open gates, to enter the circuit in the wrong direction. With squealing tires I could avoid him. I was lucky I didn’t had a faster car that day. Then it would have been a much different story… This was the most terrifying moment I ever had on a race track, while my “racing career” just started.

This was a passage from my Ebook “The Magic of Weathered Asphalt”. Click here for more information about this Ebook >>

Changes to the new track

The most modified part of the new TT Circuit Assen is the North Loop. In 1984 this part was halved which made the complete circuit almost a Mile shorter. Great corners like “Bedeldijk”, “Stroomdrift” and “De Vennen” were dissapeared.

At the end of 2005 they started a huge project to build an amusement park on the North side of the circuit. To create space for this project the remaining part of the North Loop was demolished and replaced by a small stadium section.

The 7.705 km (4.8 Miles) long “Miracle of Assen” is now reduced to 4,555 km (2.847 Miles). Today the amusementpark isn’t finished yet.

Two laps on both versions of the current TT Circuit Assen.

© Text & new pictures: Herman Liesemeijer Old pictures: TT Circuit Assen

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• / Assen TT: The history of the most historic GP

Assen TT: The history of the most historic GP

Assen is the only ever-present venue on the World Championship calendar since the series began in 1949.

From its beginnings until 2015, the race was celebrated on a Saturday

The MotoGP World Championship event in the Netherlands is known as the Dutch TT or TT Assen, with TT standing for ‘Tourist Trophy,’ a nomenclature inherited from the famous Isle of Man race.

Over the years, the term ‘Grand Prix’ has become favoured over ‘Tourist Trophy,’ and the Dutch TT is the only World Championship round that still retains this acronym.

Spain also had its “Spanish TT,” held in Bilbao in the early 1930’s.

The first Dutch TT was held in 1925 and since then the race has been celebrated every year, except for during World War II (between 1940 and 1945).

It is the only circuit that has hosted a race in World Championship season since 1949.

The original layout for Assen was 28 kilometres long and used the roads that link the towns of Borger, Schoonloo and Grolloo.

In 1955 a permanent, 7.7km circuit was built in the current location and was specifically designed to host motorcycle races.

In 2006 the layout was modified, reducing its length to 4.75km, and in 2010 a further change was made. The track now measures 4.55km.

Every class that has ever been part of the World Championship (50cc, 125cc, 250cc, 350cc, 500cc and sidecars) has competed at the Assen.

From its beginnings until 2015, the race was celebrated on a Saturday. There are different versions that explain this exception to the normal schedule, and one of the most widespread is that the old circuit was next to the local church. When using the streets for competition, so as to not prevent the citizens from going to mass, it was decided to celebrate the race one day early.

Another version of the story says that originally, Sundays were dedicated to cattle fairs and therefore a race could not be run that day.

The first circuit in Holland was in the city of Rolde, 7 kilometres away from the current track.

The country’s anthem is called Wilhelmus and is the oldest in the world. The last time a Dutch rider won a World Championship race was Hans Spaan, after taking victory in the 125cc Czechoslovakian GP at Brno in 1990.

The words to the Dutch national anthem have their origin in the period between 1568 and 1572, in the rebellion of the provinces of the Netherlands against the Spanish crown -at that time occupied by Philip II.

Heavy metal band Iron Maiden held a massive concert at the circuit on August 16, 2008, as part of their ‘Somewhere Back In Time’ world tour.

The track hosted the first stage of the Tour of Spain in 2009, the second time in the history of the competition that it had begun outside Spain.

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TT Circuit Assen

• 2010 to date

Circuit Overview

The TT Circuit Assen (or Circuit van Drenthe as it was originally known) is a mecca for motorcycle racing, as important for the two-wheeled brigade as Indianapolis, Le Mans or Monaco is to those on four wheels. Winning here is an achievement that racers treasure above almost all others.

Transitioning from a classic road course into a fully permanent motorsport venue, the circuit has undergone huge changes from the 1980s onwards.  This has helped secure its future as the venue for the annual Dutch TT, which remains a round of the MotoGP World Championships, as well as a World Superbikes round.

Today it is equally at home hosting races on four wheels as it is on two, with visitors in recent years including Champ Cars, the Superleague Formula, the DTM and the TCR Europe championships.

Circuit History

Racing in this part of Holland has a long history. The original Assen track was first used for the 1925 Dutch Tourist Trophy. The race organisers were taking advantage in a relaxation of Dutch laws, which allowed racing on closed courses for the first time. Held on brick-paved country roads through the villages of Borger, Schoonloo and Grolloo and organized by the Motorclub Assen en Omstreken, the first event was won Piet van Wijngaarden on a 500 cc Norton - only three other bikes were classified as finishers.

The course had a length of 17.75 miles (28.57km) and was characterised by long straights and fast kinks, with some sections unpaved and others finished in brick. Several sections were also very narrow; at two points on the course the bikes passed over bridges that could only accommodate competitors in single file.

The TT is born

While a crowd of 10,000 was thrilled by the speeds and sounds of the first event, it was clear that a better course was needed. With the local government of Borger unwilling to pay for a complete paving of the course, a switch to a new circuit was put in place for 1926, this time closer to Assen itself. Roads through the villages of Hooghalen, Laaghalerveen and Witten formed a roughly rectangular course, named the Circuit van Drenthe.

The new course was 10.335 miles (16.536 km) long and like its predecessor featured long fast straights, but considerably wider roads. After a disappointing start which saw small crowds, the event attracted international status and soon its fortunes improved, with spectator numbers growing year on year to unprecedented levels. From 1936, the event was officially titled the 'Dutch TT' and, after a five year hiatus during World War II, racing was swift to resume in 1946. In 1949, the event became a fixture on the first Motorcycle World Championship, a position that it has – uniquely – retained every year since.

By 1955 the organisers decided a new course was needed, with purpose built sections linking some existing local roads to form a more compact, semi-permanent course. The official reason given was the building of a new highway from Assen to Hooghalen, which would slice through the existing course at its northern end. Conveniently, this also removed parts of the circuit on land under jurisdiction of neighbouring town Beilen, meaning Assen got to keep all of the spoils of the popular event...

A new home is built

In a record time of just four months, the new 4.8 miles (7.705km) course sprang up in time for the TT races. The 500cc feature race was to prove controversial, however. After a warm up lap, the riders pulled off, demanding a greater share of the revenues after seeing the massive size of the crowd. After threatening to strike, the organisers came to an agreement and the race finally got under way, Geoff Duke motoring to victory on his Gilera.

So the classic TT course was set and for 20 years it remained largely unchanged. Riders rated the once-a-year course as among the most demanding, with its combination of cambered roads, fast sweeping curves and slower banked corners. The first noticeable changes came in 1976, when a chicane was inserted at the final corner and a new short course was created by adding a new 180 degree turn which linked the main straight with the Veenslang. Mandeven and Duikersloot corners were also modified to provide greater run off.

The famous Ruskenhoek corner was modified in 1981, moving it further away from Ramshoek on the return loop, while a new pit complex was constructed the following year. This featured, for the first time, proper garages and a pit lane separated from the main track and did much to bring facilities for the teams and riders up to contemporary standards.

The northern loop gets the chop

In 1984 there was major change when the northern loop was halved, making the full course almost a mile shorter. Gone were great corners like 'Bedeldijk', 'Stroomdrift' and 'De Vennen', in their place coming a series of sweeping technical corners, overlooked by large spectator banks.

By the early 1990s, local authorities took the decision to create a fully closed course for the first time. It followed a series of grisly – and sometimes fatal – accidents which occurred between the racing events when the course was open for public use. This also opened up the possibilities for year round use, and car racing began at the course for the first time.

Minor modifications to the pit lane entry and exit aside, the next major change came in 1999, when the circuit was modified with a new grandstand, control tower, press centre and renovated pit garages. Then in 2002, the Veenslang (from Strubben corner to Stekkenwal) was moved some 50 metres further to the east to create room for an enlarged paddock area. At at the southern end of the track, Mandeveen and Duikersloot were also moved some 10 metres further inwards to enlarge the run-off area and gravel beds. The National Circuit portion of the course was also completely resurfaced.

The modern circuit emerges

The world's first 'floating' grandstand was installed above the final corner run off area in time for the 2005 season, while plans for another extensive remodelling of the northern portion of the track were announced in order to improve the circuit for car racing and release land for hotel, bowling alley, museum, spa and fitness centre and merchandising centres. Completed in two phases, the first saw the remodelling of the De Bult corner to provide more run-off and a further re-alignment of Ruskenhoek in 2005.

The second phase was more fundamental, with the 1984 northern loop largely obliterated to create the new stadium section. Gone also was the famous S-Bocht, replaced by an extended main straight and a new sweeping first corner. The Veenslang was also straightened, eliminating the kink over the tunnel. New sections of track allowed for new northern and southern short courses to be installed, capable of running simultaneously.

More recently, the Ruskenhoek section was modified one more time in 2010, with the bike course diverted to avoid the chicane, speeding up the lap times slightly. The chicane was retained for use in four-wheel events.

The new Assen still managed to retain its essential character, though there were plenty who felt the latest revisions presented a lesser challenge than previous iterations. However, the changes now mean it has an expanded calendar of events on two and four wheels in order to sustain its future as an important centre for Dutch motorsport.

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TT Circuit Assen: 5 Fast Facts

• June 23, 2021
• No Comments
• MotoGP , News
• By Nicky Haldenby

The Dutch TT has been a popular event on the racing calendar since it was first held in the 1920s. Here are five fascinating facts about the home of MotoGP’s Dutch Grand Prix!

Header image: Michiel Jelijs , CC BY 2.0

What does TT stand for?

TT stands for Tourist Trophy. TT races are known as some of the most challenging – and most famous – races in Europe. The first Tourist Trophy race was held on the Isle of Man in 1905, though this was a race for cars. The Isle of Man TT became a motorcycle race in 1907 and continues to be one of the most popular motorcycle events each year.

Other famous TT races include the RAC Tourist Trophy – the world’s oldest continuous motor race; the Eifelrennen – held annually in the Eifel region of Germany from 1922 to 2003; and the Australian Tourist Trophy – which is currently awarded to the winners of the Bathurst 12 Hour race.

The first Dutch TT was held in 1925

The Dutch TT race was established in the 1920s, with a race held on the country roads connecting Rolde, Borger and Schoonloo. The race was able to go ahead for the first time in July 1925 after the Dutch government relaxed laws regarding racing on public roads. A single lap of the track was over 28km long.

From 1926 to 1955, the event was run on a circuit which ran through the villages of De Haar, Barteldsbocht, Oude Tol, Hooghalen, Laaghalen and Laaghalerveen. The present circuit – nearby the site of the epic 16km track – opened in 1955 and has been used to host the Dutch TT race since 1956. Until 1992, parts of the track consisted of public roads.

Home race heroes at the Dutch TT

The very first winner of the Dutch TT race was Dutch rider Piet van Wijngaarden, who won at an average speed of 91.4 km per hour. Since the event became a round of the World Championships in 1949, four Dutch riders have won at the circuit.

Paul Lodewijkx took victory in the 50cc race in 1968; Wil Hartog won1977’s 500cc race – becoming the first Dutch driver to win a 500cc Grand Prix race; Jack Middelburg was victorious in the premier class in 1980; and Hans Spaan won the 125cc race in 1989.

Wilco Zeelenberg is the last Dutch driver to finish on the podium at the event, doing so with his third place finish in the 250cc race in 1994. He also finished third in the same race in 1990 and 1991.

2020 ended a record streak

TT Circuit Assen was the only circuit to have held a motorcycle Grand Prix in every season since the series was created in 1949. Sadly, that impressive record came to an end in 2020. The 2020 Dutch TT was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tickets sold out for the event’s return in 2021.

The Dutch TT was traditionally held on Saturday

Traditionally the Dutch TT was held on the last Saturday of June. The race weekend would begin with practice on Thursday, before qualifying on Friday and the main event – the race – on Saturday. However, ahead of the 2015 race, it was announced that the race would take place on Sunday from 2016 onwards.

The move was made to boost spectator numbers on the earlier days of the weekend, as well as to fall in line with the other races on the MotoGP calendar.

The 2021 Dutch Grand Prix takes place at TT Circuit Assen on June 25 – 27.

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Tourist Trophy

On 1 July 1925, the Motorcycle club Assen en Omstreken organises the first edition of the 'Tourist Trophy', a 28.4-kilometre motorcycle race through Drenthe. Over cobblestone and unpaved surfaces, motorcycles race the triangle of roads between Borger, Schoonloo, and Grolloo. The race is a success and becomes an annual event.

Annual Event

This first Tourist Trophy, or ‘TT’ for short, is won by Piet van Wijngaarden on a 500cc Norton. His average speed around the track is 91.4 kilometres an hour. The success of the race leads to a second edition. It takes place south of Assen, on a 16.5-kilometre street circuit. A race is held in every following year, with the exception of the period of 1940-1945.

Motorcycling Mecca

The impact of the TT on Drenthe is huge. For several days every year, the usually quiet province turns into a 'motorcycling mecca'. From all over the country and abroad, motorcycle enthusiasts flock to Drenthe. Riders work on their motorcycles in the village. Farms along the routes offer accommodation to the riders, as well as the many visitors who are drawn to the event. The race is very good for Drenthe's local businesses. Contractors build stands and bars and restaurants are crowded.

Formal Racetrack

When the TT is organised for the 25 th time in 1955, they use a new street circuit with a total distance of 7.7 kilometres. An unprecedented number of participants sign up. Every year the recognition and popularity of the 'TT Assen' grows in the Netherlands and abroad, with the race still being held on a street circuit. Only in 1992 is it decided to close the circuit to traffic, giving the TT a formal racetrack that can be used all throughout the year. 

Modernisation

In 2003 'TT Circuit Assen' gets a professional makeover. It gets better crowd accommodations, better safety measures for riders, and an enormous motorcycle park is created where 12,000 motorcycling enthusiasts can park their bikes. The turns of the 4,545-metre circuit bear the names of the villages in Drenthe that were part of the old street circuit; Haarbocht, Madijk, Ruskenhoek, and Strubben.

Go Discover

Attending the annual TT is an unforgettable experience. The website of the TT has more information. Today other activities are organised there as well, such as festivals and concerts. You can also experience the history of the TT yourself with the ' Tour de TT ': a 65-kilometre tour that takes you along the two old street circuits.

Photos: Paul Lodewijkx (Nationaal Archief), Jerko Scholten, and Box Repsol.

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HollandDreams

Assen City – 6 Best Sights and Activities in One Day

Assen, the capital city of the Dutch province of Drenthe , is often overlooked due to its close proximity to Groningen , which is known as a vibrant student city. But if you want to spend a more relaxed day, then Assen definitely deserves a day trip.

In this article, we’ll show you what you can see and do in Assen.

Assen – What to See and Do

Assen is a place that has taken its time to develop. Its history dates back to the mid-1200s but it was only in the early 1800s when it received city rights. Even then, Assen has been low-key until the 1920s, when the Dutch TT Circuit came about and the city became known as a motor racing destination.

1. Drents Museum

Established in 1854, the Drents Museum proudly holds a collection of archaeological finds that informs visitors of Drenthe’s rich history. The museum itself has an interesting history.

In 1259, Cistercian nuns laid the foundation for a nunnery and to this day, visitors can still see some of the original cloister bricks. However, in the late 1880s, the structure was changed to become a provincial government building, which now houses the museum. The Drenthe artifacts are a permanent collection but various exhibitions are held throughout the year so please do check what’s on exhibit during your visit.

Our Tip: Don’t miss the Yde girl during your visit. She’s a bod body of a Yde inhabitant that was found in the late 19 th century. The reconstruction of her mummified face by British forensic expert Richard Neave became world-renowned and the finished reconstruction is a permanent exhibit in the museum.

2. TT Circuit

The TT Circuit is a motorsport race track constructed in the mid-1950s. It hosts the Dutch TT (Tourist Trophy), which is considered THE destination for motorcycling by racers and fans of the sport. Races of all types (e.g., motorbike racing, auto racing, running competitions, etc.) occur all year round so it’s best to check their calendar for which race is being held and when.

TT Circuit is not just a place where you can watch races. You can drive on the track yourself using your own car or motorbike! Again, please check their calendar for possible dates.

Various exhibitions and events are also held here such as Oldtimer exhibitions, hotrod events, etc.

3. Asserbos

Take a stroll through Asserbos and you can claim that you’ve walked through a forest that dates back to the Middle Ages. In the 1850s, Drenthe made the decision to plant new forests for timber production and that’s now the somewhat star-shaped forest that is Asserbos. What’s charming about this approximately 100-hectare forest is that it’s just a few minutes’ walk from the city center!

Our Tip: If you have time, take the Asserbos and Asser cemeteries walking route, which is a 7 kilometer walking route that will take you through lovely streams, tranquil woods, an 18th century estate, and a cemetery or two.

4. Duurzaamheidscentrum Assen

Within Asserbos is the Duurzaamheidscentrum (Assen Sustainability Center), a city farm and garden open to the public all year. The place is a sustainability initiative of the city so it doesn’t just let visitors know what Assen is doing in this area, but also encourages them to live more earth-friendly by providing related information, activities, and exhibitions.

5. De Bontewever

If you’re visiting with kids or plan to stay for more than a day, then De Bontewever is your “all-in” destination. It’s a hotel that offers restaurants, a fitness center, a beauty and spa salon, a bowling area, and swimming facilities (indoor and outdoor). It is also a known events venue in the city where concerts, music festivals, dance events, and the popular Dutch Open Darts are held.

6. Baggelhuizerplas Assen

Baggelhuizerplas Assen is a secret. It’s located on the west side of Assen, hidden in one of the city’s residential areas. It’s a beautiful nature and recreation area that has a big beach so it’s popular among locals during summer for lazy picnics and, of course, swimming and sunbathing. In winter, when temperatures really drop, natural ice forms on the big lake, and people go here in droves to skate.

Because it’s ‘hidden’, many people don’t know that Baggelhuizerplas Assen has many walking and hiking trails, cycling routes (including mountain biking ones!), and even an area for fly fishing.

About Kitty & Yogesh

Hoi! We’re Kitty and Yogesh, expats in the Netherlands. HollandDreams is a blog dedicated to traveling and living in the Netherlands. Together with our beagle dog Pépa, we travel across the country to explore exciting destinations and gather useful tips for travelers and expats.

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1970 NSU TT 1300: A FAMILY AFFAIR

Between 1967 and 1972 German car maker NSU produced over fifty thousand TT’s; a sporty passenger car which proved to be a success in everyday traffic as well as on the race track. In theory an NSU TT-owner could drive his children to school and go racing in the same car. But that is just a theory…

The NSU brand was founded in 1892 from the letters of its name Neckarsulm, a small village near Heilbronn in Germay. The TT and TTS were sporty versions of the NSU Prinz 1000, named after the Tourist Trophy in which NSU had celebrated successes in 1954 with its motorcycles. Powered by an air-cooled 1200 cc 4-cylinder engine with double Weber carburettors the TT produced around 65 horsepower at a weight of just 685 kilograms. It proved a formidable weapon for German car racers.

In the '70s and '80s one of those racers was Wolfgang Schneider. His father had started racing the NSU 1000 in the 60s and Wolfgang continued the family affair by using the same car to race up hill and on race tracks, both on- and off-road. Wolfgang eventually made a profession out of restoring and preparing NSU’s for racing, even preparing cars for the ‘Audi Tradition’ collection. Meanwhile Wolfgang’s wife Jutta drove their son Alex to primary school in the family’s NSU TT. Alex inherited the racing virus and after starting out in karting, at twenty years old Alex won the NSU TT Trophy and took the overall victory in the ‘Kampf der Zwerge’ racing class.

NSU made its first motorcycle in 1900 and in 1906 the first car was produced. After the merger in 1969 to the brand Audi NSU Auto Union, in 1972 the production of small types of NSU's stopped. Only the NSU Ro 80 was made until 1977.

This blue-and-white 1970 NSU TT 1300 is actually the car in which Alex Schneider was driven to primary school everyday. After the Schneider family prepped it for racing it currently produces well over 100 horsepower which Alex will put to good use racing in the ‘Kampf der Zwerge’ during the TABAC Classic GP Assen. The NSU TT is truly a family affair..

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TT CIRCUIT ASSEN

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• TT ASSEN 2024

The TT Circuit of Assen at your doorstep, that is the best description when you experience staying at  Hotel the Bonte Weverin Assen for visiting the MotoGP of the Netherlands 2024. This modern 4* superior hotel is located 3 kilometers / 2 miles from the famous Dutch TT track. Although its on walking distance, we offer you a great package including tranfers to the TT Circuit. Of course the package includes the best possible grandstand tickets. We offer you a welcome drink on Friday evening for kicking off the TT weekend. Don't wait to long before booking your Assen package, last year this Dutch TT package 2024 sold out very fast!.

MOTOGP NETHERLANDS - HOTEL AND TICKET

Visit the MotoGP Netherlands, TT Assen and make use of our great hotel package for the ... Read more

About TTcircuit

The Dutch TT (Tourist Trophy) is a motorcycling event, traditionally held on the last Saturday of June at the TT Circuit Assen in the Netherlands, as part of the MotoGP World Championship. In the past all classes (50 cc, 125 cc, 250 cc, 350 cc, 500 cc and sidecars), nowadays only the Moto3, Moto2 and the MotoGP. The circuit where the race is held is known as "The Cathedral" of motorcycling. The Dutch TT has been held for the first time in 1925. Since then the event has taken place every year with the exception of the years 1940 to 1945 because of the Second World War. This makes it the longest-running event on the MotoGP calendar. In 2015, the switch was made to organise the races on Sunday, which direct was a great success with a "sold out" event.

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Dutch MotoGP™ Tickets & Packages

TT Circuit Assen – ASSEN

Dates: FRIDAY 28th JUNE to MONDAY 1st JULY 2024

Dutch Moto GP Ticket & Travel Package

Otherwise known as the Dutch TT (or Tourist Trophy), the Netherlands MotoGP is one of the oldest on the calendar. Your MotoGP Package includes Dutch MotoGP Tickets, return transfers to the Assen Circuit (for race and qualifying), return flights the airport of your choice (plus transfers), and 3 nights hotel accommodation in Amsterdam. For those that want to extend their stay, additional nights are available on request. We can also add Assen MotoGP Hospitality Packages which include paddock walks, appearances from MotoGP riders, and exclusive hospitality areas.

Prices from £1,249pp .

OUR DUTCH MOTOGP PACKAGES

Stunning Hotels in Amsterdam.

3 Nights Hotel Accommodation for 2 Stay in 4* & 5* Hotels Additional nights available

MotoGP™ From TT Circuit Assen.

Tickets for 2 People Grandstand Seating Paddock Access & Hospitality Circuit transfers for Qualifying & Race

Flights & Transfers.

Flights & Transfers for 2 People Return Flights & Hotel Transfers Departures from Most UK Airports Circuit transfers

Bronze Package: Mövenpick Hotel City Centre Amsterdam 4*

• Race & Qualifying Main Grandstand tickets
• 3 Nights accommodation
• Return flights to Schipol
• Airport return transfers
• Circuit transfers (Sat & Sun)

Per Person (based on 2 sharing)

Silver Package: Mövenpick Hotel City Centre Amsterdam 5*

• Paddock Tour (Fri)
• Circuit transfers (3-Days)

Gold Package: Mövenpick Hotel City Centre Amsterdam 5*

• Team Garage Experience (Fri)

ASSEN CIRCUIT

MAP & GRANDSTANDS.

Friday 28th June 2024

Get ready for the Dutch MotoGP Package!

Head for the airport and depart on a flight from the UK to Holland.

When you into Schipol Airport, you will be met in the arrivals hall by your driver and driven directly to your hotel.

Saturday 29th June 2024

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel.

After breakfast you will be collected from the hotel and transferred to the TT Circuit Assen. From there you will get to enjoy Qualifying for the Dutch MotoGP™.

After qualifying races you will be driven back to your hotel, where you be free to enjoy your evening in Amsterdam.

Sunday 30th June 2024

After breakfast you will be collected from the hotel and transferred to the TT Circuit Assen. From there you will get to enjoy the Dutch MotoGP™.

After racing is over you will be driven back to your hotel, where you be free to enjoy your evening in Amsterdam.

Monday 1st July 2024

After breakfast you will be transferred from your hotel to Schipol airport for arrival back to the UK.

GET IN TOUCH TO SECURE YOUR DUTCH MotoGP TICKETS TODAY.

CALL 020 3966 5680

OR COMPLETE THE ENQUIRY FORM BELOW

Dutch MotoGP 2024 Package

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What’s Not Included:

• Unless flight times are stated, package price includes the lowest daytime airfare. If you would like to fly during ‘peak’ hours this will incur a surcharge.
• Flight tickets include cabin baggage only, hold baggage can be included for a surcharge.
• Unless otherwise stated, hotel city taxes are not included in the price.
• See the full MotoGP Race Schedule for 2024 here: MotoGP Calendar

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