Jack Middelburg

Jack Middelburg
Middelburg at the 1980 Dutch TT
Nationality	Dutch
Motorcycle racing career statistics Grand Prix motorcycle racing Active years 1977 - 1983 First race 1977 350 cc Dutch TT Last race 1983 500 cc San Marino Grand Prix First win 1980 500 cc Dutch TT Last win 1981 500 cc British Grand Prix Team(s) Yamaha Championships 0 Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points 37 2 4 2 1 141

Jack Middelburg (30 April 1952, in Naaldwijk – 3 April 1984, in Groningen) was a Dutch professional Grand Prix motorcycle road 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.

Jack Middelburg (Left) with Boet van Dulmen on the starting line at a race in Heeswijk in 1982

He 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 best years were in 1979 and 1981, when he finished in seventh place in the 500cc world championships.^[3] Middelburg was the last privateer to win a motorcycle Grand Prix in the 500cc class.

Middelburg was killed while competing in a road circuit race in Tolbert, the Netherlands in 1984.^[4][5]

Motorcycle Grand Prix results

Position	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Points	15	12	10	8	6	5	4	3	2	1

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year	Class	Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	Points	Rank	Wins
1977	350cc	Yamaha	VEN -	AUT -	GER -	NAT -	ESP -	FRA -	YUG -	NED 11		SWE -	FIN -	CZE -	GBR -	0	—	0
	500cc	Suzuki	VEN -	AUT -	GER -	NAT -		FRA -		NED 11	BEL -	SWE -	FIN -	CZE -	GBR -	0	—	0
1978	500cc	Suzuki	VEN -	ESP -	AUT -	FRA -	NAT -	NED -	BEL -	SWE -	FIN -	GBR 14	GER 11			0	—	0
1979	500cc	Suzuki	VEN -	AUT 15	GER 7	NAT 7	ESP 7	YUG NC	NED 7	BEL DNS	SWE 2	FIN 4	GBR -	FRA -		36	7th	0
1980	500cc	Yamaha	NAT -	ESP 15	FRA -	NED 1	BEL -	FIN -	GBR 9	GER 8						20	9th	1
1981	500cc	Suzuki	AUT 8	GER 8	NAT 7	FRA 9	YUG -	NED 5	BEL 6	RSM 7	GBR 1	FIN 4	SWE 3			60	7th	1
1982	500cc	Suzuki	ARG 9	AUT -	FRA -	ESP -	NAT -	NED -	BEL NC	YUG 6	GBR -	SWE -	RSM 5	GER -		13	16th	0
1983	500cc	Honda	RSA 10	FRA -	NAT NC	GER 11	ESP 8	AUT 8	YUG 11	NED 6	BEL NC	GBR NC	SWE -	RSM NC		12	12th	0

References

1. "Ryder Notes: Assen Memories". superbikeplanet.com. Retrieved 11 December 2010.
2. "Middelburg In Upset". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Associated Press. 2 August 1981. p. 4. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
3. "Jack Middelburg". MotoGP.com. Retrieved 11 December 2010.
4. Jack Middelburg career profile at Motorsport Memorial
5. "Cycle Racer Dies Of Injuries". The Modesto Bee. 4 April 1984. p. 6. Retrieved 11 December 2010.