Racing legend Aalt Toersen turns 80 – a life at top speed!

Racing legend Aalt Toersen turns 80 – a life at top speed!

A very special day for Dutch racing driver Aalt Toersen! Today he celebrates his 80th birthday. Born on November 6, 1945 in Staphorst, Netherlands, Toersen celebrated numerous successes in racing in the 1960s and 1970s. He is known for his participation in classic events, especially at the famous Sachsenring and the Zschorlauer triangle, where he experienced many unforgettable moments. For many motorsport enthusiasts, Toersen is a living piece of racing history.

Toersen made his debut in the motorcycle world championship in 1966, but the hoped-for successes did not initially materialize. In 1967 he was finally able to collect his first World Championship points when he took 5th place at the Dutch TT and in Spa-Francorchamps. Further success was not long in coming: in 1966, 1967 and 1968 he became Dutch champion and achieved an impressive Grand Prix victory in Jarama in 1969, which was followed by further victories at Hockenheim and Le Mans.

Memories of the Sachsenring

The Sachsenring in particular has a special meaning for Toersen. In 1970 he secured victory there with his Jamathi and not only became runner-up in the world championship, but also won three Grand Prix, including one on the traditional track in Saxony. At the award ceremony in 1970, four of the five honored drivers from the Netherlands came into the spotlight, including Toersen and icons such as Angel Nieto and Jos Schurgers. These nostalgic memories become more precious every day, especially given the rarity with which current participants in the ADAC Sachsenring Classic travel on the old route that ran through the city and offered numerous challenges.

Toersen has recently reduced his career, but his passion for motorsport remains unbroken. Until a few years ago, he took part in up to twelve classical events per year. Now he continues to dedicate himself to chasing world records with 50cc machines. In 2019 he was even able to take back an old record from 1968 and beat it by an impressive half a second. He even impressively increased his world speed record from 2014: He set a speed record of 158,088 km/h for a kilometer and 158,164 km/h for a mile on a track in Utah.

A life full of successes

Overall, Toersen can look back on a remarkable career that includes six wins and 13 podiums in 30 Grand Prix. His last entry into the highest league of motorcycle racing was in 1972 before he ended his career in 1975. But that wasn't the last word: in 1978 he returned to grass track racing and has been active again in classic events since 1993. Even though he no longer competes as often, Aalt Toersen still remains a legend in racing.

And so it says today: Congratulations, dear Aalt Toersen, on your 80th birthday! And thank you for all the unforgettable races and stories you have given to the motorsport scene – we look forward to many more! This radiance will never fade.