Dutch road racing star last year, where he went, what he is doing nowadays and how he views the current sport of road racing. In the quiet, race-free winter months, we bring you the best Dutch road races of the past year twice a week in the section “Dutch road races at the time” and ask them all a series of questions (same). This week: John Revers.
Who is John Rivers?
- Noun: Johnny Revers
- nickname: Willie
- born: 30-01-1967
- Accommodation: without
- partner: the customs
- Start your road racing career: 1990
- Active in: Standard 600 / Super Sport 600 / Superbike
- Titles: One in the 600 standard and two in the Supersport
- End of the road racing process: 1996
current occupation: Entrepreneur - Social networking site Facebook: John Revers
- Twitter: –
- Instagram: –
How did you deal with road races at the time?
Henk Van Kessel was a tuner for me in Motocross. When I got there on a regular bike he said to me, “Why aren’t you racing?” And this is what happened.
Who is the driver who fought the best battles in the ring?
Jean-Paul Hendyck and one time huge fight with Michael Buckeye at Zolder in Belgium.
Best motorcycle I’ve ever had and why?
Kawasaki 600 in 94. I won 12 games out of 14 that season. Also a Yamaha 600 from 1996, the fastest bike with a TT.
What is your favorite path you have taken and why?
Mugello was beautiful but she was also Heickenheim, both of whom were very fast. But also street circuits, because I always win in those kinds of circuits.
What’s the most bizarre and fun thing you have seen while racing?
Oh, there are many … fierce fights with Jean-Paul Hendick in 1991. My engine was unlocking every time after a race, and then we opened his car too, because it had big costs. He knew this, because his mass had to be regrouped afterwards and ready to race at D’Hollander in Belgium.
In 1993 I was behind Jeffrey De Vries, but there was a doctor on the road with another driver. However, we secretly put black lines on the track after the doctor, because Jeff insisted on winning this race, especially since I had defeated him two weeks ago in Hengelo.
In 1994 I had a great race with Michael Buckeye. Mile Bajic and I had decided before the race that he would not be allowed to drive “freely” because after that he would go. We took care of that, every time we banned him to take out speed from his fastest Honda. You won the race before Michael and Mile.
In 1996, I rode a Yamaha so fast that I was lucky to have a block from Jeffrey (De Vries), because my bike wasn’t home at the time. Later I managed to return the block to it, but of course it wasn’t as fast as mine. I also drove a half race in the lead over TT, beautifully live on TV. Then I said in Tolbert to Torlev Hartelman, “Tomorrow you can drive fourteen laps up front and then I’ll catch you.” He really thought it was faster, but I did what I said and made it into the final stages of the race. He was frustrated by that.
What’s the best thing about racing?
Memories are a wonderful and beautiful time.
What did you do after your active road racing career?
First Ari Voss and Keru Verstreetin learn to drive, haha. Then a junk yard and now I’m a businessman.
Are you still playing sports in some way?
Yes, off the sofa and in front of the TV.
What is the current driver you respect so much and why?
Mark Marquez is the fastest at the moment, Rossi has always been my hero.
Who do you see as the greatest (currently active) road racing talent in the Netherlands and why?
I don’t keep enough records to give a really good answer.
How do you view the current race with your experience at the national and international levels?
To my knowledge, it cannot be compared at the national level to the past. There are more circuits and more drivers.
Wednesday 13-01-2021: The best Dutch road races of the time: Hencke Van de Lagemat.
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