Interview former Champion Peter Willems
The end of 2013, we were very welcome at Peter and Nelly Willems in Ysselsteyn (Lb). Peter Willems started his career as so many other riders at the NMB federation and moved to the KNMV federation in 1969 to start in the 250cc senior class. That year Willems ended as a rookie on the third place in this championship overall behind Jan Roessink and Ton van Heugten, but before Stef van der Sluis and Jo Lammers. His name was established in the motocross world and in 1970 Willems did one step higher to start in de 500cc senior class. His new competitors were Gerrit Wolsink, Pierre Karsmakers, Frans Sigmans and Jan Keizer. Although Willems fighted in the top every week, he unfortunately did not win a Championship until his employer Yamaha forced him to return to the 250cc senior class in 1974. That year he promptly became Dutch Champion in this class, before Jo Lammers and Stef van der Sluis. When we asked Peter Willems what he can remember from the Motocross of Aces in St. Anthonis, he is very short. I was not very lucky there, I did not happen everytime the way I wanted. Anyway, Willems had a lot of fans in this erea and they came everytime with lot's of to circuit the Hoef in St. Anthonis. Willems scored a fifth place overall during the Motocross of Aces in 1972 and during the Grand Prix Motocross in 1973 in St. Anthonis he scored a fifth place in the second heat and received his first Grand Prix points. The first heat he was battling with the current World Champion Roger DeCoster until he fells out with technical problems. When we ask Peter if he is coming to the reunion, he is very clear. Yes, for sure, it's a great initiative.
Peter Willems and his wife Nelly posing on the Matchless from his uncle Jan Maessen.