Living very close to it I work just across the border in the Netherlands in a small machining shop where I do the programming of CNC mills among other tasks.

My first acquaintance with rallying came through my brother when he and a friend entered the 1998 and 1999 Horneland Rally, which I followed as a spectator. This very tough 24 hour event for pre 1976 cars has a very simple system: point to point free route on Michelin maps. Having no clue about navigating but always having had a passion for maps I asked my brother "how difficult can that be...?" Well, I found out for myself for the past 10 years!

Towards the end of 1999, having taken a real interest, I entered my first event as a navigator and quickly found out what problems an organiser can pose to us navigators. Not at all satisfied with my early performances I frequently asked my fellow navigators during breaks for advice and they kindly provided it. Even after all these years of navigating I still feel I can learn from others and as always you can learn much more from you mistakes than from what you do right.

So gradually I got better and, before all, more experienced with results to follow. In 2006 and 2008 I managed to win the Dutch Historic Rally Championship as a navigator, with several wins in the counting events among which the SLS rally (Scheveningen-Luxemburg-Scheveningen) twice with my very good friend Harm Lamberigts.

My most memorable win however was with Rinus Sinke (an Austin-Healey enthusiast from my region) in the 2009 Tulpenrally, against some fierce British competition! The first time in over 50 years that an Austin-Healey came first in this prestigious event made Rinus very proud.

In the beginning of February I was surfing the internet when I found out about the Basic Roamer Internet Table-Top Championship. After doing the practice rally I was immediately hooked and I spend quite a few nightly hours solving the route instructions, or at least trying to. I made many mistakes, so I've learned a lot ....:), and I hope I will be giving my fellow competitors a bit more competition in the coming rallies.

Finally I would like to take this opportunity to thank Crow and the other organisers for all their hard work and efforts to give all of us so many pleasant (and frustrating) hours behind our maps and route instructions.