In 1969 the KNMV (Royal Dutch Motorcycle Federation) jointly teamed-up with the Yamaha Importers of that day; "Motorpaleis" (Motorpalace) in Rotterdam, Director Mr. Hans Moerkerk and Riemersma Company from Eindhoven, Mr. Ton Riemersma. The name of the team was MRRT (Motorpalace-Riemersma-Racing team).

These are original pictures from the Press launch on the lawn of "Kasteel Zeist" (Castle Zeist), the Netherlands.

With help Ferry Brouwer and finally Theo Bult we have nearly all the names now!

KNMV Yamaha team 1969

Backrow from left: Nelis Geukens-Huub van Kessel, mechanic- Theo Bult - Mr. Ton Riemersma-Mr. A. Nagaoka-Mr. Hans Moerkerk-Mr. H. Burik (KNMV)-Jan van Dobben. Ferry Brouwer should have been there as well but he was in Military Service at that time...)

On the bikes from left: Wil Hartog-Leo Commu-Bert Oosterhuis-Jan Kostwinder-Lous van Rijswijk and Jan van de Hoek.

Our office, Yamaha Motor N.V. started its European operations in October 1968 and Mr. A. Nagaoka was our very first  Managing Director.

KNMV Yamaha Team 1969

Backrow from left: waiter serving champagne, Mr. H. Burik- Mr. Ben Riemersma - Mr. Hans Moerkerk - Mr. A. Nagaoka - Mr. Ton Riemersma-?

On the bikes from left: Theo Bult-Bert Oosterhuis-Jan Kostwinder and Wil Hartog.

According the this latest information the team consisted out of:

Nelis Geukens - 250 cc National; Theo Bult - 350 cc National; Jan Kostwinder - 350 cc International; Wil Hartog - 250 cc International; Lous van Rijswijk - 125 cc International and later these riders were joined by Nico van der Zanden and Cors den Boer, both 250 cc National, so 7 riders from which several Dutch Champions.

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Ferry Brouwer happened to know that the 125 cc on the pictures was a real factory bike, coded YZ623. It was of course based upon the AS1 but there are already similarities with the later TA125 from 1973. When the 125 was prepared for the races Ferry and his mates equipped the Dutch one with a TD1C front brake as you can see here.

According to Ferry, Mr. Nagaoka managed to get 5 of these machines to Yamaha Motor N.V. The Dutch team got one, Jean Auriol (Sonauto/Yamaha France) used one, our late friend Kent Andersson had one and a further machine got into the hands of Salvador Canellas. Who knows were number 5 ended?