Jack Middelburg (30 April 1952 – 3 April 1984) was a Dutch professional Grand Prixmotorcycleroad racer. Together with Wil Hartog and Boet van Dulmen, he was part of a contingent of Dutch riders who competed at the highest levels of Grand Prix racing in the late 1970s.[1] Middelburg never earned a factory-sponsored race bike, yet managed to post some impressive results.
Motorcycling career
Jack Middelburg (Left) with Boet van Dulmen on the starting line at a race in Heeswijk in 1982
Middelburg became the second Dutchman to win the Dutch TT in 1980, and in 1981 he pulled off an unexpected upset when he defeated the defending world champion, Kenny Roberts at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.[2] His British Grand Prix victory aboard a Suzuki RG500 marked the last time a privateer competitor would win a 500cc Grand Prix race, as motorcycle Grand Prix racing became increasingly professional during the 1980s.[3] His best years were in 1979 and 1981, when he finished in seventh place in the 500cc world championships.[4]
Middelburg (1) competing in a 350cc Dutch National Championship race at the Zandvoort Circuit in 1978Wil Hartog (Carrying Middelburg's helmet),leads pall bearers during Middelburg's funeral.
Middelburg was killed while competing in a street circuit race in Tolbert, Netherlands in 1984.[5][6] On 2 April, he lost control of his motorcycle, and was run over by Boet van Dulmen. He was rushed to hospital,[7] and died a day later.[8]
Career statistics
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Races by year
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
References
^"Ryder Notes: Assen Memories". superbikeplanet.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2010.
^"Middelburg In Upset". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Associated Press. 2 August 1981. p. 4. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
^"SUZUKI RG500: RG BARGY". amcn.com. 14 June 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
^"Jack Middelburg". MotoGP.com. Archived from the original on 17 July 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2010.
^Jack Middelburg career profile at Motorsport Memorial
^"Cycle Racer Dies Of Injuries". The Modesto Bee. 4 April 1984. p. 6. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2010.
^"Jumping Jack zwaar gewond". De Telegraaf (in Dutch). 2 April 1984. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
^"Middelburg bezwijkt aan verwondingen". Trouw (in Dutch). 4 April 1984. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
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