1/2 Mari de Wit from Loosbroek is the only one who has participated in all 24-hour Solex races (photo: Jos Verkuijlen).
The 24-hour Solex race has been held in Heeswijk-Dinther for fifteen years. Mari de Wit from Loosbroek is the only one who has participated all times. Twice he drove himself. He then became a mechanic and prepared solexes for the race himself. “It really is a virus.”
Outside in his garden is the Solex that has to be done this year. Mari spent a long time getting it right. Meanwhile, building the perfect Solex for the race is a whole science that keeps him busy all year round.
“A Solex is not made to last 24 hours at all,” says Mari. “The frame just breaks.” And that is why the Solex has been completely adapted. For example, the frame is completely reinforced. “It has become more and more professional.”
“We don’t puncture anymore.”
The 24-hour Solex race started in 2007. “We already drove tours. But that could be more exciting. A local pub owner came up with the idea of doing a 24-hour race.” The first year, 17 teams participated. William also drove. “But at the end of the game there was nothing left of that Solex.”
And so it has often happened that the Solex broke down during the competition. “Last year,” he says. “Then the support that held the engine to the frame broke off.”
From there, Mari has been working year after year to make his Solex even better. For example, he points to a rack with sets of wheels. “There are two inner tubes in it. I have adapted them so that we no longer have punctures.” One thing always remains the same. The engine and exhaust must remain as original as possible.
“The secret is to keep it whole.”
Mari and his team already reached the podium once. But he never won. It’s not his drivers. “They are all sporty guys. A few are motocross racers and one is a mountain biker. They can do something,” he says.
“The secret is to keep the Solex whole. And if we succeed, I think we will be in the top 3”, Mari dreams. And who knows, maybe he will manage to win the race on the fifteenth time. The 24-hour Solex race starts on Saturday afternoon at five o’clock.