Wil Hartog


Wil Hartog is a Dutch former professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. He competed in the Grand Prix motorcycle racing world championships from 1970 to 1981. Hartog was the first Dutch competitor to win a 500cc Grand Prix race.

Motorcycle racing career

Born in Abbekerk, North Holland, Hartog became the first Dutchman to win a 500cc Grand Prix when he claimed a victory at the 1977 Dutch TT. When Suzuki factory team rider Pat Hennen suffered career-ending injuries while competing in the 1978 Isle of Man TT, Hartog was hired as his replacement to help their number one rider, Barry Sheene, defend his world championship. However, Sheene was unhappy when his Hartog won the 1978 Belgian Grand Prix ahead of Kenny Roberts and Sheene in second and third places. He challenged Roberts and Sheene during the 1979 season however, he crashed while leading four Grand Prix races and ended the season ranked fourth in the 500cc World Championship.
Hartog won five Grands Prix during his career. Standing over 1,80 meters tall, he was at a disadvantage against his jockey-sized competitors yet he still managed impressive results. With his penchant for wearing all white riding apparel, he was nicknamed The White Giant.
To commemorate the fortieth anniversary of his 1977 Dutch TT victory, Hartog was honored during the 2017 Dutch TT by riding a lap of the Assen TT circuit on the motorcycle he won on, accompanied by Freddie Sheene, the son of Hartog's late teammate, on one of his father's motorcycles.
Wil's nephew, Rob Hartog, is a motorcycle racer who has taken part in the Supersport World Championship and the FIM Endurance World Championship.

Career statistics

Grand Prix motorcycle racing

Races by year

YearClassBike12345678910111213Pts
1970125ccYamahaGERFRAYUGIOMNED
Ret		BELDDRCZEFINNATSPANC0
1972250ccYamahaGERFRAAUTNATIOMYUGNED
14		BELDDRCZESWEFINSPANC0
1972500ccRiemanocGER
Ret		FRAAUTNATIOMYUGNC0
1972500ccYamahaNED
Ret		BELDDRCZESWEFINSPANC0
1973350ccYamahaFRAAUTGERNATIOMYUGNED
Ret		CZESWEFINSPANC0
1973500ccYamahaFRAAUTGERIOMYUGNED
4		BELCZESWEFINSPA25th8
1974250ccYamahaGERNATIOMNED
15		BELSWEFINCZEYUGSPANC0
1974350ccYamahaFRAGERAUTNATIOMNED
15		SWEFINYUGSPANC0
1975350ccYamahaFRASPAAUTGERNATIOMNED
6		FINCZEYUG26th5
1975500ccSuzukiFRAAUTGERNATIOMNED
Ret		BELSWEFINCZENC0
1976500ccSuzukiFRAAUT
Ret		NATIOMNED
3		BELSWE
Ret		FINCZEGER21st10
1977500ccSuzukiVENAUT
DNS		GER
6		NAT
Ret		FRA
Ret		NED
1		BEL
7		SWE
5		FIN
Ret		CZE
Ret		GBR
Ret		10th30
1978500ccSuzukiVENSPA
9		AUT
7		FRA
5		NAT
6		NED
5		BEL
1		SWE
2		FIN
1		GBR
Ret		GER
Ret		4th65
1979500ccSuzukiVEN
Ret		AUT
3		GER
1		NAT
Ret		SPA
2		YUG
4		NED
3		BEL
DNS		SWE
Ret		FIN
10		GBR
3		FRA
18		4th66
1980500ccSuzukiNAT
Ret		SPA
Ret		FRANED
19		BEL
5		FIN
1		GBR
Ret		GER
3		6th31
1981500ccSuzukiAUT
9		GER
14		NATFRAYUGNEDBELRSMGBRFINSWE23rd2