The RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP Moto2 team is competing in its home Grand Prix this weekend, on the Assen TT circuit. Choosing to get a little head start on the British Grand Prix, during which the MotoGP will wear special historic liveries, the Dutch team left the choice to its riders to disguise their machines in the Netherlands. To do this, Barry Baltus will take his place on the starting grid under the colors of the legendary Barry Sheene.
This year, the Motorcycle Grand Prix world championships are celebrating their 75th anniversary. For the occasion, Dorna and MotoGP are organizing a few events throughout the championship with the aim of celebrating this important anniversary.
At the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on the first weekend of August, the initiative will be taken a step further by having all MotoGP teams ride in a special livery. Initially, the plan was to do it at Assen, the only circuit still on the calendar since the start of the world championship in 1949.
The director of the RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP team, Jarno Janssen, therefore decided to take matters into his own hands for his team, and take advantage of their home race to don their historic liveries a little early.
Thus, local Zonta van den Goorbergh will pilot his Moto2 decorated in the colors of “De Witte Reus” Wil Hartog from this Saturday. The Dutch driver made history for his country in 1977 by winning the 500 cc race at the Assen circuit.
“As a Dutchman, participating in the Dutch Grand Prix at the TT Assen circuit is of course very special, recalls the regional of the stage. Of course, I was educated watching events like the Dutch TT, and I often saw the footage of Wil Hartog's victory. I really like that it is represented here and that I can drive with its color scheme this weekend. I hope it will help us achieve good performances on the track this weekend. »
Barry Baltus, for his part, chose to pay tribute to the double 500cc world champion Barry Sheene. So the Belgian will dress in red, yellow and black. Nice nod to its national colors.
“With my first name and the fact that I drive with the number 7, it is of course no great surprise that I chose to represent Barry Sheene, says Barry Baltus. It's a great honor to be able to ride in these beautiful colors this weekend during the team's home race. I think it's going to be fantastic! »
Let's hope these colors bring luck to the RW Racing GP riders who didn't have a glorious Friday in Moto2 with their usual liveries.
