TT Circuit Assen

The TT Circuit Assen is the motorcycle racing track on the edge of Assen, in Drenthe, and it hosts one of the oldest and best-loved events in world motorsport, the Dutch TT. The initials stand for Tourist Trophy, the name borrowed from the famous races on the Isle of Man, and the first Dutch TT was held in 1925 on public roads between Assen and the villages around. That first course ran for about twenty-eight kilometres through the countryside, and crowds lined the verges to watch riders thunder past on machines that were heavy, primitive and dangerous by modern standards.

Over time the road circuit became too dangerous and too long for modern racing, and a shorter course was developed in the 1950s, using parts of the old roads and new sections built for the purpose. The circuit has been modified several times since, with safety improvements and changes of layout, and the modern track is a permanent facility of a little over four and a half kilometres, with fast sweeping corners and technical sections that riders enjoy. The fans nickname it the Cathedral of Speed, a phrase that conveys the devotion of its followers.

The Dutch TT is held every year in late June and draws huge crowds from across Europe. Grandstands fill, tents and camper vans line the surrounding fields, and the town of Assen takes on a festival atmosphere, with riders' parades and live music. The world championship for motorcycles, MotoGP, is the headline event, and the circuit also hosts World Superbike races, car races and club days. Outside race weekends the track hosts testing, training and events for riders and drivers, and sometimes allows tours of the paddock and facilities.

A TT Museum on the site tells the story of the races and the people who made them, with machines, trophies and photographs, and is worth a visit for enthusiasts of motorcycle history. The wider area, including Assen's centre, the Drents Museum, the woods of Asserbos and the lake at Baggelhuizerplas, offers other things to do for those who are not racing fans.

The circuit suits motorsport lovers and families who enjoy an event atmosphere. If you plan to attend a race, book tickets and accommodation well ahead, as Assen fills quickly. At other times, check for tours and museum opening times, and consider arriving by train to avoid traffic.