As a child, Frits van Amersfoort built his own team with Dinky Toys, and in 1975, Van Amersfoort Racing (VAR) truly came to life. This year, the racing team celebrates its half-century anniversary. We sat down with the founder, a man brimming with stories. “My jaw dropped, it was so fast.”
‘Hello?’ A young racing fan peeks around the corner into one of Van Amersfoort Racing’s trucks. He asks if the man in team clothing is a driver. “Uh, no,” replies Frits van Amersfoort (70), with a broad smile. The young fan walks away disappointed. The team owner turns around and winks: “I must look younger than I thought, haha.”
Amid the smell of tires and gasoline, the voice of a man who has been leaving his mark on motorsport for fifty years resonates. The described scene takes place in the summer, during the Belgian GP. Circuit Spa-Francorchamps is one of the places where Van Amersfoort himself still attends, although he is no longer present at every F2 or F3 race. Sharp, spry, and cheerful, the Dutch motorsport pioneer is always there. And he happily reflects on a half-century that has flown by.
The fifty-year history of VAR is peppered with passion, risks, perseverance, and the constant pursuit of perfection. Born out of a love for four wheels, instilled from an early age. As a child, he grew up in the family garage in Laren. “And I used to make my own racing team with Dinky Toys. I would build a circuit out of soda bottle caps.”
First Steps with Huub Rothengatter
His fascination with speed and technology took off when he visited the Formula 1 in Zandvoort in 1966. He took his first real steps in motorsport with Huub Rothengatter as a driver, the man with whom Van Amersfoort also achieved success in the 90s as manager of Jos Verstappen. “Huub lived not far from me and he wanted to drive,” Van Amersfoort recalls the 70s. He came to us to have a car painted, a Formula Ford. I started helping him, even though we only had a garage. But suddenly there was a race car and things started rolling.”
The early days were pioneering work. He invested time, energy, and resources to make his dreams come true, his own team became a reality. But in the meantime, he was attending vocational school, working as a mechanic and ‘truckie’ at the same time. He has countless memories of all these things. “I earned a little money, which all went on stuff. That’s how I bought my very first so-called Snap-on box at that time. I still have it.”
Van Amersfoort Racing: A Journey Through the Decades
In the 1980s, the team experienced a series of successes, including their first victory, team expansion, and the addition of new members. Rob Niessink joined the team, and together with Van Amersfoort, they experienced some truly remarkable times. They also formed a strong bond with Marcel Albers, one of their drivers. “We got along incredibly well. Marcel was just a really nice guy. We clicked with him, with Rob, and others, and suddenly we had a group that was extremely driven. We won a lot,” recalls Van Amersfoort.
Discovering New Talent
New talent emerged in the 1990s, including Max Verstappen. “Huub and I had blind faith in each other, and one day Huub said: let’s test Jos.” This happened in the middle of the summer, on an empty circuit in Zandvoort. “Back then, you could just call and drive. And I was astounded. He was so fast, without any preparation.”
Verstappen became a driving sensation, and Niessink remained on board. “And Rob never left,” says Van Amersfoort with a smile. “In 1992, we had our real international breakthrough. We were no longer just racing in Zandvoort, but all over Europe. And Jos was doing what Max is doing now: astonishing everyone.”
Van Amersfoort Racing: A True Team
By then, Van Amersfoort Racing had become a real team: professional, international, serious. Verstappen continued his journey in the German F3 with Willy Weber’s team. Van Amersfoort then came into contact with a young Belgian: Vincent Rademecker. “A very nice guy. He had sponsorship from Marlboro Belgium. Not a lot of money, but I thought: let’s take the plunge together. I still do that.”
In the following years, other well-known Dutch drivers like Tom Coronel, Bas Leinders, and Christijan Albers left their mark on the colorful history of the team. “With Bas, we won the European Formula Opel Championship in 1996,” Van Amersfoort recalls. “To this day, it remains our only European title.”
Working with Niessink during that period was invaluable. “We would always walk through the paddock, admiring the Formula 3 cars. They were so expensive, they seemed unattainable. But Rob was someone who would say: we’re going for it.” Thus, they found a financier for their very first Formula 3 car. “Leinders’ manager arranged the money, and so we started our first German Formula 3 season in 1997. And it was an immediate success.”
‘Suddenly a Real Business’
Success builds on success, asserts Van Amersfoort. “In 1998, we became German champions with Leinders, and alongside him was Christijan Albers. Suddenly, it became a real business. No longer a group of enthusiasts, but a professional team, with employees.”
Over the past half-century, Van Amersfoort Racing has increasingly become a breeding ground for young talent. The team brought in young drivers, created an environment of learning and performance, and showed that the Netherlands was a serious player in international motorsport. “We have seen many drivers grow: from karts to Formula Ford, nowadays there is the FRECA, but also Formula 3, Formula 2. It’s always fantastic to see.”
Many well-known drivers at some point in their career drove a VAR vehicle, in whatever class. And Van Amersfoort Racing also prepared drivers for Formula 1. This is evident from the presence in it today of former VAR drivers Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Oliver Bearman, Liam Lawson, and Franco Colapinto.
The first one still makes Van Amersfoort beam with pride. After the success with father Jos, there was the success with son Max. “The year with him was also truly fantastic. A superb driver, even then. Perhaps the best driver that has ever existed. So I really cherish such a memory. Just like the special year with Jos. Rob and I still talk about it. Over thirty years ago, but you still want to win and motorsport is never boring. Or as they say: never a dull moment.”
‘Blood, Sweat, and Tears’
There was no shortage of great results over the past half-century as a team. But of course, they never came naturally. “It’s hard work,” emphasizes Van Amersfoort, a man who, according to everyone in the paddock, never shied away from it. “It sometimes cost blood, sweat, and tears. But I would do it all over again.” Laughing: “Although? Maybe I would be a bit more cautious sometimes, haha. But well, sometimes you just have to take a risk and make a move.”
Founder’s Reflections and Future Plans
Founder, owner, and team boss Frits van Amersfoort acknowledges that not everything has always gone smoothly. “At the beginning of this century, for instance, we had a few tough years,” he admits. But quitting was never an option. “No, it couldn’t be. As a team, you also accumulate debts, so you have to keep going. Regardless, we’ve experienced, seen, and accomplished so much as a team and as individuals over the decades. But all in all, we’ve always had a good life in motorsport.”
As for the future? Health issues for Niessing and Van Amersfoort himself are a reality. It’s part of life. Even the standard-bearers at Van Amersfoort Racing are getting older. “Where I’ll be in five years, I have no idea,” says the founder with a shrug. “But I am winding down. I only work on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays now. And if something comes up on one of those days, then I just don’t work that day. I also no longer travel to overseas races. I’m not up for that anymore.”
From a boy with Dinky Toys to an authority in motorsport: his story inspires and testifies to perseverance, passion, and a love for speed. And VAR without Frits van Amersfoort himself is almost unthinkable. He grins, “I’ve always said: the moment I get the impression that I’m getting in the way of our team, it’s time to close the door behind me.”
The Hall of Fame
Looking at the honor roll of Van Amersfoort Racing, it’s immediately clear why the team from Zeewolde is one of the most successful racing stables in Europe. Since its establishment in 1975, VAR has won numerous prizes with various drivers.
- 1989: Marcel Albers – Formula Ford
- 1992: Jos Verstappen – Formula Opel Lotus
- 1996: Bas Leinders – Opel Lotus Euroseries
- 1998: Bas Leinders – German F3
- 2005: Renger van der Zande – Formula Renault 2.0
- 2007: Carlo van Dam – German F3
- 2008: Kevin Magnussen – Formula Ford
- 2009: Laurens Vanthoor – German F3
- 2011: Richie Stanaway – German F3
- 2016: Joey Mawson – German F4
- 2019: Dennis Hauger – Italian F4
- 2020: Jonny Edgar – German F4
- 2021: Oliver Bearman – German F4 and Italian F4
