Willem Quits!!

[Stuart Hill]

Just received this from Willem Toet. A great pity but you can't blame the man for his decision.

Hi everyone,

This is for information

I've had something come up at work which means that I cannot compete at Prescott (early May) but also my general workload and logistics mean that it's always going to be difficult to compete in the UK and live over here in Switzerland with my level of dedication to work. With the job I have here I have also been given a great opportunity to make a difference (we've done fairly well so far this year) and I want to grab that opportunity with both hands. Not being at work on Monday mornings is not a great way to do that …
This combination of factors has made me decide to stop regular hillclimbing for the moment and to sell my hillclimb car. A difficult and sad decision to make because I do enjoy hillclimbing and will miss lots of friends but a necessary choice for the longer term.

I will, in the short term, focus leisure hours working on my German (lack of) language skills and on mountain biking (the downhill part of which is just as challenging as hillclimbing and costs a lot less) and, in the winters, skiing.

Sue and I wish you all the very best and hope to see some of you over here in beautiful Switzerland.......

Bill Chaplin will have details of what is for sale soon - force8racing@aol.com

All the best.

Willem

[JimW]

What a shame. Nice chap and great fun to see compete.

Still he does say: "stop regular hillclimbing for the moment " (my emphasis) so who knows.

Jim

[xtealadyx]

what a shame, hope to see him back soon

tealady

[Steve Wilkinson]

I'm not surprised that the pressure & logistics of working in Switzerland and taking part in the British Hillclimb Championship has brought about this decision. I hope that someone picks up the Pilbeam Project and that we see Willem back in due course.

[devon kev]

Hope he comes back soon

[zac510]

Best of luck to him then!

[Woolley]

We're going to miss him sooo much. An exciting driver, and a wonderful personality. I hope his absence is temporary, but I wish him the greatest success in his task. I guess this was always on the cards with the move to Switzerland.

[Stuart Hill]

with many credits to Richard and Georgia;

here's some of the reasons why we'll miss Willem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IluY67H1P1c

[JimW]

Brilliant. Drives fast and enjoys it.

Thank you.

Jim

[Steve Wilkinson]

Willem doing what he did best!

[Andrew Gunnell]

Thanks Stuart for the video link. I too hope that we will see Willem back on the hills in the near future. Good Luck with the season ahead.

[Woolley]

Excellent video, there. My Willem highlight is the Shelsley centenary meeting. Lots of good climbing but a sceptical crowd, some of whom have possibly experienced other hillclimb festivals, wondered if the quick boys were really trying or just showboating. Then Willem arrived at Bottom Ess, completey sideways, clouted the outside bank and continued without lifting to the sound of several thousand people going 'Oooh'. Classic moment.

[Matt Dillon]

Sad news. All the best Willem

[Marshalling Bag]

Originally Posted by Woolley

I guess this was always on the cards with the move to Switzerland.

I think most of us thought this when he moved but it is still very sad news indeed. We will miss his charismatic personality greatly and wish him all the best with what ever he decides to do.

[Steve Wilkinson]

Willem is alledgedly turning out at the 5th/6th May Prescott in a TWO litre racing car (?) - wonder which one that will be!

The event should also see the return of Rob Turnbull in the V6 Gould.

[Pistonbroke]

Not entirely unexpected but a real shame. He'll be seriously missed. Top man in so many ways

[DaveK]

Originally Posted by Steve Wilkinson

Willem is alledgedly turning out at the 5th/6th May Prescott in a TWO litre racing car (?) - wonder which one that will be!

Steve , Willem has had to cancel due to work, However Bill Chaplin will now be driving with Tony Hunt.

Dave

[Stuart Hill]

Originally Posted by Steve Wilkinson

Willem is alledgedly turning out at the 5th/6th May Prescott in a TWO litre racing car (?) - wonder which one that will be!

Having just spoken to Willem, unfortunately this will NOT be happening. He has TOLD me why, but I do not feel at liberty to pass-on the reason in public.

Suffice to say, he is extremely happy where he is (Switzerland, Mountains, Views, good Downhills!!!) aswell as enjoying his work.

Doesn't get much better, does it????

All the best Willem and BMW.