John Hugenholtz

Johannes Bernhardus Theodorus "Hans" Hugenholtz, in English-speaking countries a.k.a. John Hugenholtz (October 31 1914, Vledder - March 25 1995, Bentveld) was a Dutch designer of race tracks and cars.

Hugenholtz's father, of the same name, was a protestant minister and peace activist who moved his family to Purmerend in 1918 and Ammerstol in 1924. Hugenholtz studied to be a lawyer and became a journalist by profession, but his interests were in cars. As a young man he was an (amateur) motor cycle racer. He founded the "Nederlandse Auto Race Club" in 1936 and was director of the Zandvoort racing circuit from 1949 to 1974. He further founded the "Association Internationale de Circuits Permanents" in Paris, and the "Pionier Automobielen Club" in 1956, a leading to the "Fédération Internationale des Voitures Anciennes" (FIVA). Hugenholtz is best known as the designer of a variety of circuits used for the Formula One Grand Prix and praised for their challenging nature and innovative features. The latter includes the use of multiple layers of stretching, chainlink fences ('catch fences') to slow down and catch cars running off the track, decreasing the chance of driver injury compared to the customary solid barriers. Amongst others, he designed the circuits Suzuka in Japan (1962), Zolder in Belgium (1963), Hockenheimring ("Motodrom" stadium section) in Germany (1965), Jarama in Spain (1967), Ontario Motor Speedway (advice only?) in California (1970), and Nivelles in Belgium (1971). Although often credited with designing the Zandvoort circuit as well, this track apparently was not specifcially designed but more or less "fell into place" in 1948, originally planned as a "Parade ground" by the Germans in WWII.

Besides circuits he was involved in the stillborn projects of the Dutch "Barkey" car (1948) and the "Delfino" (1989). The latter based on Alfa Romeo Alfasud-chassis and drivetrain. [Autodesign in Nederland, by Jan Lammerse]

Hugenholtz and his wife, Marianne Sophie van Rheineck Leyssius, were involved in a car accident in Zandvoort on Jan 10 1995. His wife died immediately, while he succumbed to the injuries two months later at home. His son, Hans Hugenholtz Jr. (born 1950) is a race car driver.

References

* [http://www.hugenholtz.net/bentheim.pdf Biography in family history] (page 32) Nl icon
* [http://www.earthview.nl/john_hugenholtz-t2987.0.html Bio with emphasis on designed tracks] Nl icon