Assen’s Tunnel of Fame unveiled

The oldest and most historic track on the MotoGP™ World Championship calendar celebrated its proud history ahead of the 2016 Dutch GP.

Since 1949 the TT Circuit Assen has been a mainstay of the World Championship calendar, never missing a round. The circuit was first run on a 16.54km road circuit but has undergone a number of changes before reaching more or less its current layout in 2006. For 2016 the Dutch GP enters a new era, the traditional Saturday race day making way for the more conventional Sunday. As Assen steps into the modern era, the circuit took the chance to honour its proud history with a Tunnel of Fame.

Pre-event Motul TT Assen

The Tunnel of Fame features all the 500cc and MotoGP™ champions alongside a proud list of Dutch Grand Prix winners. Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta was joined by reigning MotoGP™ World Champion Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha Team) and double premier class champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) to open the monument. Franco Uncini, the current Safety Officer for the championship, was also there and reflected on his 1982 500cc win at the track on his way to the title.

Pre-event Motul TT Assen

It wasn’t just former champions at the event as some of the biggest names in Dutch racing history were also present. Wil Hartog, who won the 500cc race in Assen in 1977, was joined by Egbert Streuer who won the sidecar World Championship in 1984, 1985 and 1986 and is a legend in the Dutch racing community. Hans Spaan who took a total of nine wins during his career was also at the event, Spaan still working in the GP paddock with the RW Racing team. Piet Knijnenburg, a seven time Dutch champion was also on hand to regale the crowd with stories of his post-war triumphs.

Pre-event Motul TT Assen