Retro: If you're a Grand Prix enthusiast, you must know this hero

This is the story of an exceptionally talented privateer driver. Today, we revisit the life of a remarkable man who dominated the racetracks between the late 1970s and early 1980s before meeting a tragic end. No, Jack Middelburg, Grand Prix hero, will not be forgotten.

In 1973, Jack and his friends went for a motorcycle ride. In their twenties, the group stumbled upon a motorcycle race in the town of Lissel, North Brabant. As its name suggests, Middelburg is a Dutchman, a true Dutchman, and these Dutchmen often distinguished themselves in motorcycle sports at that time. The sport was very popular then, but watching the competitors in this small race, Jack, a glazier, thought he could go faster. Is this a characteristic impetuosity linked to his young age, or an irrational thought? The only way to find out is to register.

Riding a Honda CB750, and without a license, he was allowed to participate in another event organized by the Dutch federation just a week later. Finishing sixth, he made a name for himself. This was the beginning of a great story. Quickly supported by a garage and a mechanic, he entered a national championship in several categories and soon demonstrated his superiority.

 

 

You don't learn without falling, an adage that applies even more to motorcyclingIn the following years, Jack's promising career was hampered by injuries, particularly to his ankle. In 1976, he suffered a serious crash during a race near Eindhoven, but fortunately, he recovered. This was only a temporary setback, as 1977 proved to be a pivotal year. While his wife Petra was still unaware of his activities, he became Dutch champion in the 350cc, 500cc, and 750cc classes, and even participated in his first World Championship. TT Assen, won for the first time by one of his compatriots, Wil Hartog. The two are close and actively contribute to the renown of the Dutch contingent in the late seventies, as does the rain specialist Boet van Dulmen.

Tensions arose within his federation, the KNMV, a rival of the NMB, but this caused him less concern than his crashes. Jack Middelburg was frequently injured, sometimes seriously, particularly in the legs. Nevertheless, he was getting faster and faster in the World Championship and was now competing in the entire 1979 season. In Sweden, he finished second, his first podium finish in a world championship.

He allowed himself to buy TZ500s, still without the support of an official team. The start of the 1980 season was complicated and tortuous, especially as he was still seriously injured in his legs; one holds using plates and 14 screwsBut then came the Assen round, at his home track. Jack overcame these difficulties and achieved pole position in the 500cc class in front of his home crowd, a first major achievement. But at the time, he still had to push his machine at the start; his painful leg caused him to lose a lot of time.

But fate was on his side. His pace was clearly superior; he devoured the competitors one by one. "King Kenny" Roberts was suffering from front wheel problems, perhaps a poorly adjusted fork or a tire issue. Once the American was in the pits for repairs, the outcome of the Grand Prix was inevitable. Jack Middelburg, the boy from Naaldwijk, is a world championship winner. This triumph is historic for more than one reason: it is the first victory for the new TZ500 and the first victory for a privately owned machine in the premier class since Jack Findlay in 1971, not to mention the strikes.

Much to Jack's dismay, it's Franco Uncini who inherited the factory Suzuki RG500 formerly ridden by the now-retired Wil Hartog. Fate had decided he would remain a privateer, but he still acquired a Suzuki for the 1981 season, even better than the previous one. Jack Middelburg was on fire, much more consistent, and victorious again at the British Grand Prix. On the track, everything was going perfectly, but behind the scenes, it was a different story. His privateer status exposed him to… privateer problems, namely, primarily, funding. But his talent still allowed him to secure some lucrative contracts, despite recurring injuries.

Did he only win a great prize in full possession of his means? It's hard to say, but from 1982 onwards, the answer seems obvious. Half-time within the official HB-Suzuki team, he was forced to miss several races, either because of recent injuries, or older ones, which required surgery.

 

 

It's a vicious cycle; the results don't follow, and therefore, the cash flow takes a hit, which prevents the purchase of good motorcycles to perform, and so on. Clearly, Jack Middelburg suffers from his nationality, but the Royal federation, the KNMVis trying everything to provide his protégé with a Honda 500cc. This includes creating a foundation, but the results are not following in Grand Prix.

At the beginning of 1984, it was all over. Funds ran out, and he was forced to return to his homeland to compete in the national championship. He started well, which wasn't surprising given his talent. Then came that sad race of Tolbert, a small municipality of Groningen located in the north of the country.

The cold settled over the track on this April 1st, and snow even made an appearance. Nothing surprising at these latitudes. After just a warm-up lap, the 500cc competitors took off, and Jack set off in pursuit of Rob Punt, a young talent. But in the second lap, he lost the front at a critical pointThe bales of straw send him hurtling back onto the track; some manage to avoid the danger, but Boet van Dumel, a former friend from Middelburg, crashes his Honda head-on into the ground. The rider Peter Lemstra hits Jack, who is already badly injured. Others are involved in this pile-up, and Our hero of the day is immediately transported to the nearest hospital.

Sadly, the doctors could do nothing to save him. Three days after the fall, the Netherlands mourned a champion, a two-time winner of Grand PrizesAnd above all, a great man. His funeral brought together crowds and former runners in profound sadness. In just 31 years, Jack Middelburg left a great legacy, which must not be forgotten.

Did you know this landmark pilot from the 1970s? Tell us in the comments!