Willy Koppen

Last updated
Willy Koppen
1955 WillKoppen Zandvoort.png
Koppen racing at the Zandvoort Circuit 1954
NationalityFlag of the Netherlands.svg  The Netherlands
BornWill Elisabeth Koppen
(1924-01-07)January 7, 1924
Overveen, NL
DiedOctober 22, 2002(2002-10-22) (aged 78)
De Bilt, NL
Current teamPrivate solo rider
Fastest laps130 km/h Zandvoort circuit
Previous series
1952, 1953, 1954, 1955Madrid, Monaco, Schio, Zandvoort
Koppen at the start Trophee de Monaco 1953 1953 WillKoppen 4Trophee Start.png
Koppen at the start Trophée de Monaco 1953
Koppen driving through the Alps during Trophee de Monaco 1953 1953 WillKoppen 4Trophee Alps.png
Koppen driving through the Alps during Trophée de Monaco 1953
Koppen on the motorcycle at the Acropolis, Greece 1953 1954 WillKoppen AcropolisGreece.png
Koppen on the motorcycle at the Acropolis, Greece 1953
Koppen at her 75th birthday in 1999 with Velocette, BMW 450 with sidecar and dog Dempsey 1999 WillKoppen 75Birthday.png
Koppen at her 75th birthday in 1999 with Velocette, BMW 450 with sidecar and dog Dempsey
Frontpage of her travelogue to Naples signed with her emoji -)o(- 1950 WillKoppen PortadaNapels Klein.png
Frontpage of her travelogue to Naples signed with her emoji -)o(-

Willy Koppen (January 7, 1924 - October 22, 2002) was a Dutch motorcycle racer, one of the first women participating at international motor races during the nineteen fifties.

Contents

Early years

Will Elisabeth Koppen was born on 7 January 1924 in Overveen and brought up in a non-motorcycling family. They lived very close to the Zandvoort Circuit where she took up riding motor cycles. She was a holder of the “80 star” of the circuit and drove her brand new Adler motorcycle at up to 130 km/h. In order to afford her hobby, she worked as a nurse or secretary during winter time in order to be fully focused on motorsport in summer time. She was her own mechanic and, as an autodidact, she taught herself how to maintain and adjust an engine. In 1949 she obtained her motorcycle license and started to gain experience by driving through the Netherlands on a borrowed Saroléa motorcycle. In 1950 she bought her first motorcycle, a Zündapp DB 200 from 1938, with which she made her first long distance trip to Naples. [1] In 1951 she made an other long trip to southern France and Switzerland in 1951, where she gained experience in mountain driving.

Racing career

In 1952, Koppen took part in the FIM Trophée in Madrid, Spain, for the first time. In 1953 she became the first woman to win the Coupe de Dame of the 1600 kilometer non-stop rally of the FIM Trophée de Monaco, a 32-hour rally with time, speed and fuel consumption penalty points regulation. She drove an Adler MB 250 Motor. [2] The following year, in 1954, she was the only woman to cross the finish line, leaving many men behind in the final results. [3] At both rallies she drove as a private solo driver, without a team nor team support. In 1953 she drove a factory Adler MB 250 engine, provided by the Adler Company. Having a crankcase protection and overhead exhaust pipes, as on the later Adler MB 250 S, made it suitable for the fast windy corners in the Alps. In 1954 she drove her own Adler MB 250. After the race she broke her foot in a motorcycle accident in Italy, but right after she participated at the ninth Alpine Rally in Schio, Italy. [4] In 1955 she was provided with a trial enduro bike from the British motorcycle manufacturer Francis-Barnett, so she could participate in rough terrain competition. Unfortunately, the KNMV did not allow her to participate in road races. As a woman she only got permission for the junior trails and junior reliability rides.

Other motor activities

In addition to racing, Koppen became known for her long distance solo tours throughout Europe into Turkey and Israel. Her long journeys were reported in the Dutch media such as the Dutch magazine MOTOR. [5] Her first motorcycle was a 1939 pre-war Zündapp DB 200, [6] which she disassembled, reassembled and adjusted three times as a self-taught constructor, before setting out on her first long journey to Naples.

Personal life

After her active sports career, she got married and had two children. After twenty-five years she picked up motorcycling again and continued to do so until her death. First she drove a Velocette LE and then the BMW R45 with MZ sidecar came along, with her dog Dempsey always accompanying her. In 1999, a race of honor with classic motorcycles was organised to celebrate her 75th birthday and her 50th anniversary in motor racing. [7] She was an honorary member of several motorcycle clubs in Europe. [8] [9]

Her last ride was on her MZ sidecar, during an impressive parade of antique motorcycles that paid tribute to her on October 26, 2002, after she passed away October 22 at the age of 78 in De Bilt.

Races

YearActivityMotor
1952FIM Trophée San Sebastian, SpainZündapp DB 200
1952FIM Trophée Madrid, Spain Zündapp DB 200
1953FIM 4e Trophée de MonacoAdler MB 250
1954FIM 5e Trophée de Monaco Adler MB 250
19549e Alps Rally Schio, ItaliëAdler MB 250
1955Trial enduro reliability rides Francis-Barnett

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DKW</span> German car and motorcycle marque, now Audi

DKW was a German car- and motorcycle-marque. DKW was one of the four companies that formed Auto Union in 1932 and thus became an ancestor of the modern-day Audi company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isle of Man TT</span> Annual motorcycle race held on the Isle of Man

The Isle of Man TT or Tourist Trophy races are an annual motorcycle racing event run on the Isle of Man in May and June of most years since its inaugural race in 1907. The event begins on the UK Spring Bank Holiday at the end of May and runs for thirteen days. It is often called one of the most dangerous racing events in the world as many competitors have died.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sidecar</span> One-wheeled device attached to a two wheeled vehicle to make the whole a three wheeled vehicle

A sidecar is a one-wheeled device attached to the side of a motorcycle, scooter, or bicycle, making the whole a three-wheeled vehicle. A motorcycle with a sidecar is sometimes called a combination, an outfit, a rig or a hack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nimbus (motorcycle)</span> Danish motorcycle

The Nimbus is a Danish motorcycle produced from 1919 to 1960 by Fisker and Nielsen of Copenhagen, Denmark, also manufacturers of "Nilfisk" brand vacuum cleaners. Two basic models were produced, both with a 750 cc four-cylinder engine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adler (cars and motorcycle)</span> German 1900–1957 automobile and motorcycle manufacturer

Adler was a German automobile and motorcycle manufacturer from 1900 until 1957. The 'Adler' name is German for 'eagle'. Adlerwerke vormals Heinrich Kleyer was a German aircraft manufacturer established by Heinrich Kleyer in Frankfurt am Main in 1934 by buying out Gerner. Adler made no original designs, only continuing production of Gerner designs that were included in the acquisition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Lyons</span> Co-founder of Jaguar Cars (1901–1985)

Sir William Lyons, known as "Mr. Jaguar", was with fellow motorcycle enthusiast William Walmsley, the co-founder in 1922 of the Swallow Sidecar Company, which became Jaguar Cars Limited after the Second World War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luigi Taveri</span> Swiss motorcycle racer (1929–2018)

Luigi Taveri was a Swiss professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. He competed in the FIM motorcycle Grand Prix world championships from 1954 to 1966. Taveri is notable for being a three-time 125cc road racing world champion. Although he specialised in the smaller engined machines, Taveri is the only competitor to have scored points in six Grand Prix classes: 50cc, 125cc, 250cc, 350cc, 500cc and Sidecars. In 2016, he was named an FIM Legend for his motorcycling achievements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helmut Krackowizer</span> Austrian motorcycle racer

Helmut Krackowizer was an Austrian motorcycle racer and motor journalist with an international reputation who specializes in vintage motorcycles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zongshen</span> Automobile manufacturer

Zongshen is a Chinese manufacturing company producing motorcycles, quad bikes, generators, and engines, based in Chongqing, China. It claims to have a yearly output of over 1,000,000 motorcycles.

Daniël Johan Nico Willemsen is a Dutch sidecarcross rider and ten times World Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Berliner Motor Corporation</span> American motorcycling retailer

Berliner Motor Corporation was the US distributor from the 1950s through the 1980s for several European motorcycle marques, including Ducati, J-Be, Matchless, Moto Guzzi, Norton, Sachs and Zündapp, as well as selling Metzeler tires. Berliner Motor was highly influential as the voice of the huge American market to the motorcycle companies they bought bikes from, and their suggestions, and sometimes forceful demands, guided many decisions in Europe as to which bikes to develop, produce, or discontinue.

Joe Berliner [...] a man endowed with great decision-making power in Borgo Panigale

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colin Seeley</span> British motorcycle racer (1936–2020)

Colin Jordan Seeley was a British motorcycle retailer who later became a motorcycle sidecar racer, motorcycle designer, constructor and retailer of accessories. In 1992 he was involved in running the Norton Rotary race team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1977 Dutch TT</span>

The 1977 Dutch TT was the eighth round of the 1977 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on 25 June 1977 at the Circuit van Drenthe Assen. Wil Hartog became the first Dutchman to win a 500cc Grand Prix when he claimed the victory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Industriewerke Ludwigsfelde</span>

Industriewerke Ludwigsfelde is an automotive factory in Ludwigsfelde in Brandenburg, just south of Berlin in Germany. The factory is part of Daimler AG and since 1991 it has made Mercedes-Benz vans. It is also the producer of the Multicar line of automobiles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Theresa Wallach</span> Long-distance motorcycle rider

Theresa Wallach was an adventure motorcyclist, engineer, mechanic and author. In 1935 with another experienced motorcyclist named Florence Blenkiron, she rode a 600 cc single-cylinder Panther motorcycle complete with sidecar and trailer, from London to Cape Town, South Africa, crossing the Sahara desert, reportedly without a compass. Wallach was the first Vice President of the Women's International Motorcycle Association, and was inaugurated into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2003.

Gloria Tramontin Struck is an American motorcyclist who was one of the early members of the Motor Maids women's motorcycle club, which she joined in 1946, at age 21. She is both a Sturgis Hall of Fame and Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florence Blenkiron</span> British medal-winning motorcyclist and explorer

Florence Margaret Charlotte Blenkiron was the first woman to win a gold medal for reaching over 100 mph on a motorcycle at Brooklands race track. With Theresa Wallach, she crossed the Sahara by 600cc Panther motorcycle, sidecar and trailer from London to Cape Town in 1934–35, making the return journey on her own in 1935–36.

Kirsi Kainulainen is a Finnish motorcycle racer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wendy Crockett</span> American long distance motorcycle rider

Wendy Crockett is an American long-distance motorcycle rider. In 2019, Crockett achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first woman to win the Iron Butt Rally, an 11-day, 11,000-mile motorcycle endurance event often referred to as "The World's Toughest Motorcycle Competition."

References

  1. The personal symbol Will Koppen used in her travelogues was the motorcycle seen from above (probably the first emoji ever)
  2. Koppen, Willy (1953-11-20). "Who is next? (ED. Wie is de volgende?)". MOTOR (Dutch motor magazine). Vol. 47 (40 ed.). pp. 1380' 1381' 1382'.
  3. Van één van onze, verslaggevers (1954-12-31). "Will Koppen rides rallies as if nothing (ED. Will Koppen rijdt rallies alsof het niets is)". De Telegraaf. p. 17.
  4. "9th Rally of the Alps, Chio".
  5. Koppen, Willy (1957-01-18). "Poseidon". MOTOR. Vol. 3 (44 ed.). pp. 67' 68' 69'.
  6. "Zündapp DB 200".
  7. vd Mast, Rein (1999-01-17). "Ererit Will Koppen". Old But Tough Motorclub (ED. Oud Maar Sterk Motorclub). Vol. 64 (1999 ed.). pp. 11' 27'.
  8. vd Mast, Rein (1993-06-24). "Heroes of the past: Will Koppen". The Motorcycle (ED. Het MotorRijwiel). Vol. 7 (1994 ed.). p. 44'.
  9. vd Mast, Rein (1998-06-24). "Heroes of the past: Will Koppen". The Motorcycle (ED. Het MotorRijwiel). Vol. 34 (1998 ed.). pp. 53'.