Willy Koppen

Willy Koppen (7 January 1924 – 22 October 2002) was a Dutch motorcycle racer and one of the first women to participate in international motor races during the 1950s.

Early years Will Elisabeth Koppen was born on 7 January 1924 in Overveen and raised in a non-motorcycling family. She grew up near the Zandvoort Circuit, where she began riding motorcycles. She held the circuit's "80 star" and rode her new Adler motorcycle at speeds up to 130km/h. To afford her hobby, Koppen worked as a nurse and secretary during the winter, allowing her to focus entirely on motorsport in the summer.

As a self-taught mechanic, Koppen maintained and adjusted her own engines. She obtained her motorcycle license in 1949, gaining experience by riding a borrowed Saroléa motorcycle across the Netherlands. She made another long trip to southern France and Switzerland in 1951, gaining experience in mountain riding. In 1954, she was the only woman to finish the rally, placing ahead of many male competitors.

At both rallies, she competed as a private solo rider without team support. In 1953, she rode a factory Adler MB 250 provided by the manufacturer. Its crankcase protection and overhead exhaust pipes—features of the later Adler MB 250 S—made it suitable for the fast, winding Alpine corners.

In 1955, British motorcycle manufacturer Francis-Barnett provided her with a trial enduro bike for rough-terrain competitions. However, the Royal Dutch Motorcyclists Association (KNMV) barred her from road races; as a woman, she was only permitted to ride in junior trials and reliability rides.

Other motor activities In addition to racing, Koppen became known for her long-distance solo tours across Europe and into Turkey and Israel. Her journeys were covered by Dutch media, including the magazine Motor.

Before her first long journey to Naples, she completely disassembled, reassembled, and adjusted her pre-war Zündapp DB 200 three times.

Personal life After her racing career, Koppen married and had two children. She returned to motorcycling 25 years later, continuing to ride until her death. She initially rode a Velocette LE and later a BMW R45 with an MZ sidecar, always accompanied by her dog, Dempsey. In 1999, a classic motorcycle race of honour was organized to celebrate her 75th birthday and 50th racing anniversary. She was an honorary member of several motorcycle clubs in Europe.

Koppen died in De Bilt on 22 October 2002, aged 78. On 26 October, her coffin was transported in her MZ sidecar during a tribute parade of antique motorcycles.

Races Year Activity Motorcycle 1952 FIM Trophée San Sebastian, Spain Zündapp DB 200 1952 FIM Trophée Madrid, Spain Zündapp DB 200 1953 FIM 4e Trophée de Monaco Adler MB 250 1954 FIM 5e Trophée de Monaco Adler MB 250 1954 9e Alps Rally Schio, Italy Adler MB 250 1955 Trial enduro reliability rides Francis-Barnett