VanVeen
Soon after Kreidler left Gran Prix racing, Hendrik Van Veen contacted Kreidler, letting them know that he wanted to carry on the campaign. He acquired two complete racebikes with spares and was promised factory support, in form of know- how. In the following years these bikes made a strong showing in national championships, and when the new regulations from FIA was effectuated, the Van Veen team were more than ready. |
|
1971 : Van Veen racebike revised for this season : Low- slung triangulated frame with dual fueltanks. Kreidler engine revised by Jörg Möller Windtuneel testing the new model |
|
1972 : A season plagued by engine failures. | |
1973 : Jörg Möller works his magic on the race- Kreidlers, resulting in several new track- records. | |
1974 : Hendrik Van Veen closes down the racedepartment to focus on building a Wankel- engined motorcycle. Jörg Müller jumps to Morbidelli, and Jan de Vries now acts as teamleader for driver Henk Van Kessel. |
|
1975 : New works- driver Angel Nieto backed by Spanish funding. | |
1976 : Herbert Rittberger in charge of Van Veen engine- development. | |
1977 : Start of Kreidler Van Veen Sport GmbH based in Dudertadt. Herbert Rittbergers as works rider. |
|
1978 : Herbert Rittberger takes on the job as raceteam- manager. Driver : Eugenio Lazzarini. |
|
1979 : The first season of using slick tires in the 50cc class. Using a second cooler, behind the front number- plate, allowed a more aerodynamic fairing. |
1980 : Lazzarini and Van Veen split up and Lazzarini won the championship driving an Iprem, a privately entered Van Veen Kreidler in disguise! |
1981 : The year Kreidler went bust, Herbert Rittberger and Jörg Schlichenmaier kept on with Hans Georg Anscheidt as raceteam- manager. Riders were Stefan Dörflinger and Hagen Klein. |
|
1982 : The last year listed as Van Veen Kreidler, but wearing Krauser colours! Herbert Rittberger built the engine and designed the frame,which was built by Nico Bakker. New sleeker aerodynamic design due to slim standing cooler. Go to Krauser section for the follow up. |