The Negende Internationale Olof Races at Tilburg on April 11th 1976 was one of several race meetings in Holland that gave a privateer like Tom a chance to earn some extra money. Such races were commonplace in the 1970s, but Tilburg in 1976 witnessed an act of sportsmanship that made it that bit special - and Tom was the recipient of it.

The 350cc race gets underway at Tilburg with Tom (55) quickly away with Alan North (63) and Boet van Dulmen (2).

Tom was riding really well on that warm spring day in Holland.

He had already broken the lap record in the 250cc event and proceeded to do the same in the 350cc race as he headed for what looked like a certain win. However, at the hairpin Dutchman Boet van Dulman attempted a do-or-die effort which resulted in Tom being torpedoed off the track and down he went as Boet quickly re-mounted and went on to win. Tom meanwhile had also got back on but the damage had been done and he came home in seventh.

Or so he thought.........

Boet then announced over the loudspeakers that "Ik need hem voor zijn sodemieter" - slang for 'It was my mistake' and proceeded to hand Tom the winner's garland, trophy and prizemoney.

Tom accepted what was a fantastic gesture, or as Tom himself aptly put it at the time -

'Be Jabbers, wasn't that nice!!'

Stephen McKeown
August 2007