The countdown to the Dutch GP has begun, and we’re taking you on a journey to Zandvoort. In this eight-part series, we highlight a unique story about the Grand Prix of the Netherlands each day. Today, part 5 features true Zandvoort native and former professional footballer, Piet Keur.
Keur is genuinely proud that Zandvoort has regained its permanent spot on the Formula 1 calendar in recent years. He has been a motorsport enthusiast since the 1970s. As a young teenager, he and his friends would always head to the circuit as soon as the sounds of racing reached his street. “We always managed to sneak in. How? We knew the right spots and, of course, we knew the people who were at the gates. I’ve never paid a cent.”
Like a real rascal, he was always at the forefront during the Formula 1 weekends. Even during the traditional barbecue for Formula 1 drivers at the circuit, he was there. “Nobody knew who we were, but nobody said anything. That was during the time of James Hunt and Niki Lauda. Everyone was very amicable with each other.”
Memories of a Formula 1 Fan
His own hero from that time was Jody Sheckter. “I used to always say: ‘Later I want two German Shepherds. I’ll name one Jody, the other Sheckter’. But why a fan of Sheckter? Back then, not many Grands Prix were on TV. You only saw the summaries on Sundays. He first drove for Tyrrell and then made the switch to Wolf, a private team. He then won a few more races and almost became world champion, that fascinated me.”
Skipping School for Formula 1
When Formula 1 was in town, it meant a few extra days off from school, Keur recalls. “Not officially, of course, but on Thursday at the end of the school day we packed our bags and then we said: see you Tuesday! We didn’t ask, we just said it. Something like: ‘Yeah, sorry, the Grand Prix.’ And we were busy with it, even on Monday. Then we went to collect bottles at the circuit. That brought in money.”
A New Competition Among School Boys
With the boys from school, he invented a new sport. The competition of the most beautiful jacket. “The first school day after the Grand Prix everyone wore a new team jacket from Formula 1: received, found or stolen. And then you questioned each other: how did you get it, how did you manage? And after school, you went to show off those jackets in the village. It was wonderful.”
Read the full interview with beautiful anecdotes for free in our Zandvoort story collection. Download it here.
Now in the store and available to order digitally (with free delivery in the Netherlands): our double-thick summer package with regular edition & the Dutch GP Special! With interim report Tom Coronel, interview Max Verstappen and how King Willem-Alexander secretly learned to race!
