It’s typically mentioned that the whole lot seems to be higher on social media than in actual life. However in the case of Vink Motorsport within the Netherlands, the other is true.
After e mail exchanges with the Vink crew, I used to be invited to tour the Zaandam-based workshop famend for its BMW race automotive restorations and new traditional builds.
Based mostly on what I’d seen on-line, I believed I knew what to anticipate. But, stepping inside Vink Motorsport, I used to be shocked by the scale of the constructing and the variety of automobiles inside. I by no means would have guessed one thing like this was potential within the Netherlands; as standard, I underestimated the data and experience that exists in our small nation.
Upon coming into, I used to be greeted by Vink Motorsport’s proprietor Ton Vink, who has a lot ardour for the automobiles he builds.
Ton’s journey dates again to 1993 as a mechanic within the Dutch Touring Automotive Championship (DTCC), the place he sarcastically began in a Mercedes-Benz crew. After his time within the DTCC, he transitioned to karting, working Staff TKP, which received Dutch, European, and world titles.
Regardless of his success in karting, Ton’s ardour for touring automobiles – particularly BMWs – remained. So, in 2005, he constructed his first E30 M3, signaling the start of Vink Motorsport. What started as a interest rapidly advanced right into a thriving enterprise.
Immediately, Ton and his crew concentrate on constructing and making ready BMWs for historic racing. Most of those automobiles are engineered to historic FIA specs, permitting them to get again on observe for the numerous traditional motorsport occasions in Europe. Vink Motorsport additionally gives track-side assist, making certain fast fixes for purchasers throughout race weekends.
Ton talked me over a number of BMWs within the workshop – a couple of of which I’ll present you in a follow-up highlight – however we’ll begin with this treasure: a Schnitzer E36 STC from 1996. Constructed as a ‘T-car’ (backup automotive) for that yr’s BTCC, it by no means noticed the beginning line. Its first race was the 1996 Vacationer Trophy at Donington Park within the UK, pushed by Joachim Winkelhock, who completed fourth.
Quickly after, the E36 was shipped to South Africa for the 1996 Rainbow Championship – contested at Kyalami and Kilarney – of eight races throughout two weekends. Winkelhock and Shaun van der Linde shared the automotive, every driving 4 races. Finally, Winkelhock received the championship with 4 wins from his 4 begins.
Tucked away within the reverse nook of the workshop sat an E36 with an equally fascinating backstory. Crazily, this automotive connects to Prodrive and the late Colin McRae. How? Properly, Prodrive managed the BTCC BMW manufacturing unit crew in 1992, and McRae, then a rising rally star for Subaru, visitor raced on this automotive at Knockhill Circuit in his dwelling nation of Scotland.
The E36 was present in Thailand and introduced again to Holland, the place it’s ready for its flip to be restored to its former glory.
One other E36 caught my eye, this time an STW constructed by BMW Motorsport and pushed by late Nineteen Eighties F1 driver Stefano Modena. On the inaugural FIA Touring Automotive Problem in 1993 at Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Modena completed twenty sixth within the first race and seventh within the second.
The automotive’s authentic livery, that includes a steam cleaner firm (Polti), lacked aptitude, prompting the proprietor to spice it with this blue, crimson, and inexperienced Castrol scheme.
Heading upstairs, I virtually tripped over a couple of priceless BBS wheels… then I noticed it…
If there have been any automotive I wasn’t anticipating to search out at a BMW race car-centric restoration store, it will be this – a Group A Mazda 929, powered in interval by a 13B rotary engine.
The Mazda was initially constructed in 1985 by Dutch racer Hans van der Beek (who now works at Vink Motorsport) for the Spa 24-Hour race. Hans and his privateer crew painstakingly crafted the automotive themselves, efficiently homologating all its custom-made racing parts with the FIA.
With backing from Mazda Netherlands, the 929 – affectionately dubbed the “Hiroshima Taxi” – was a well-recognized sight on the circuit till a crash in 1988 despatched it to storage. In 2016, it was rediscovered in a Belgian barn.
The Vink Motorsport crew continues to be determining a plan for the automotive, however with a lot buyer work preserving them busy, it might be some time earlier than this one sees observe time once more.
As you’ll be able to see, there’s a lot occurring at Vink Motorsport – however this was simply the stuff within the store after I visited!
Ton’s newest endeavor is a dream for any petrolhead: 5 meticulously crafted replicas of the legendary BMW M3 E36 GTR. Constructed from authentic blueprints with historic FIA approval, these GTR replicas promise authenticity and efficiency. Of the 5 deliberate, three have already been bought. As soon as the primary is full, I’m desirous to schedule a photograph shoot to seize the masterpiece in all its glory.
For now, although, keep tuned for my Vink Motorsport highlight characteristic.
Jeroen Willemsen
Instagram: jaccojeroen