about me
Here you find more details about me, the bike(s), the competition and the goals for the current season.
the rider
name: Wouter van Heyningen
born: 22-01-1980, The Hague
place of living: 's-Gravendeel
biggest passion: road racing
number: 33
the bike
From 2004 on, there has always been a 'Superbike' in my garage. After buying a new Yamaha R1 I learnt the potential of such a bike with crashing and getting back up again. In 2010, I also bought a BMW S1000RR, solely for trackdays. My laptimes improved but I still left the seat many times unintended. The bike also suffered from the growing pains of many electronical inventions. A second S1000RR was purchased in 2011 and in 2017 a third but this did not solve all issues. In 2020 I bought another BMW S1000RR, but unfortunately I got myself quickly hurt this time (by another rider crashing into me) and the racer stayed unused in the garage for a long time. After 1,5 year recovery from the nerve damage suffered I sold it. Three months later, I still had pain in the stomach from the fact there was no longer a motorcycle in the garage. It can’t be called a clean slate anymore, because I am not fully recovered (yet), but a new bike is coming. n R1 because that is how it all started? A BMW because I did not yet get out of it what I believed was there (at least in my hands)? Or a Ducati, which is the Ferrari of Superbikes, but does not have the name of staying in one piece (or should I say no bike does with me after 34 crashes…and probably counting)?
the competition
After a(nother) crash with the BMW at the end of 2015, I started in 2016 in the NK ProCup 600 on a Yamaha R6 from Stichting Motorrace Amsterdam. The difference in riding style needed on a Supersport (600cc) compared to a Superbike (1000cc) made it clear for me that I was in love with the raw power of a Superbike. Riding that kind of bike towards the limit (of myself) makes that I love and cannot stop loving this sport. Without a doubt I would start the 2017 season on a 1000cc racebike. After long consideration between the new Kawasaki ZX10RR and the S1000RR, I choosed the BMW (again).
RR Motorsports owner Nelson Rolfes delivered the bike to my own specifications and colors. Coming from the 2010 edition, where I put my personal records on Assen (1:46.5) and Oschersleben (1:32.9) without traction control, ABS and a heavy cable to apply throttle (speedgas), it was difficult to immediately go fast with the full electronic package on the 2017 bike (and in all honesty these times have never improved, editors note early 2023). Nowadays I have built a lot of trust in the electronics and although we had quite a big crash that season (and more) and a few zero scores in competition, we still managed to become third in the final standings. In 2018, I finished 9th overall after a false start with a lot of tire problems followed by some big crashes. In the beginning of 2019, the bike died, making further participation in the Cup a bridge too far. I started 2021 with a clean sheet on the 2020 model, but I was crashed out of the competition by another rider. Despite that, I have to confess that I am not done yet. However, it is not (yet) the time for competition again. But who knows…
Click here for the calender.
tHe goal for 2023
In 2023, I will start over. Smarter through trial and error…or not. Over 19 years after buying my first Arai RX7 Corsair, I recently purchased the new Arai RX-7V EVO at HelmetCity in the UK and I am as happy with it as if it was my first helmet. Especially if you are from the UK you should go to this place for great advice and really good prices.
Almost 20 years in development, but the helmet’s look and feel is as if it is still the same, just perfect. The added spoilers do really make a difference. Just don’t ask me about the other 11 helmets I ‘consumed’ in the meanwhile (4x AGV and 11x Arai).
“If in doubt, always flat out.”
Do not try this at home. Unless you are playing a computergame. Crashing in games is harmless, unlike real life.
achievements
2014 (SportCup 1000): In our first season of competition we win both races in Oschersleben. The fact that nobody knows the track really well turns out te be my advantage. The races in the Netherlands all end with crashes, low standings and technical failures. After a very nice qualification I even forget to show up on the starting grid.
2015 (SportCup 1000): In the first race in 2015 the meaning of the different flags seem to confuse me. After deliberately giving away the first position my second place is enough to get me promoted to the ProCup 1000.
2015 (ProCup 1000): My first two races in the ProCup are on Oschersleben and were won immediately. This track really seems to suit me. On Assen I am not able to finish (again) due to a crash. After rebuilding the bike, we try again during the final races, but a big crash in the fast Ruskenhoek corner ends the season.
In 2016 (ProCup 600/Sportcup 600) I join some races and training days on a Yamaha R6, without fast laptimes, but with some crashes. Switching to 600cc does not seem to fit me. My best result is a 7th place in the Sportcup 600.
2017 (ProCup 1000, start): During the first few races I have to get used to the bike, resulting in two 20th positions and one time 6th.
2017 (ProCup 1000, continuation ): On my favorite track I ‘see the light’ and win 4 times in a row:
- Oschersleben race 1 and race 2;
- Assen;
- Dijon race 1 (race 2 ends with a crash).2017 (ProCup 1000, end): After a big crash in Dijon it seems almost impossible to become champion. Against all odds, I win a 3rd prize in Oschersleben and eventually also become 3rd overall.
2018 (ProCup 1000, start): In the first race, I lap only 0.8 seconds from my PR on Assen, but in the following races we keep struggling to get results. I am not able to stop the bike and laptimes go up. When we finally find the solution, I finish 3rd in France but also suffer from some crashes. I end up 9th in the overall championship.
2019 (NK Superbike 1000): Due to blown engine, my chances of participating in the Cup are immediately gone. I still compete in the double ZAC race with my other bike, but finish 13th twice with a fastest time of 1:52.0 (compared to PR 1:46.5).
2021 (ONK ProCup/SuperCup 1000) has to show whether I still got it. Because I have not been below 1:50.0, a start in the ProCup seems appropriate. In Q1 I’m 11th fastest, but because te other drivers improve more than me in Q2, I drop to 24th place in a field of 44. I make up for a lot in the first corners, but at the end of the straight I go t-boned by another racer. A long rejabilitation process follows.
2023 (out of competition) will be the year I return on the bike. My passion for racing is too strong to put away my gear. My bucket list has not been fullfilled and I miss the speed and adrenaline on two wheels. Follow the website or new stories!
