Repsol entered the world of motorcycle racing with a certain timidity. The first time that the company had a presence on a bike, it was with Derbi and their promising young rider: Angel Nieto. Success would follow, with Nieto becoming a ‘12+1’ times World Champion. In the 80s and 90s, Repsol looked to move into the higher cylinder classes: 250cc and 500cc. Riders like Pons, Doohan, Criville and Cardus would elevate the countries top company to the biggest stage.
1971-1972: A MEMORABLE SEASON
“If I remember correctly, Repsol’s arrival in the world of motorcycle racing came in the 1971 season. I found my work hard. I had a lot to do with this move to two wheels. My connections with Julian Iglesias –who was in charge of promotion- with Derbi and, of course, with Angel Nieto were the ingredients which led to us reaching an agreement. I think that the deal was worth 1,500,000 pesetas in old Spanish money. Nieto would also receive money with which to change his car from an old Seat 1430 to an olive green Porsche 911.
Helping directly with the purchase of that famous Porsche was Eladio Doncell, who at the time was the head of the Repsol rally team. Alberto Ruiz Gimenez also played a part, as the team ran Porsche cars in their team and had a strong friendship with importer ‘Uncle Benito’ (Wernet von Heideirich). Nieto’s new car made him the envy of the paddock and helped him to forge a bond with the legendary Barry Sheene: The Briton, who had picked up Spanish in his time with Bultaco, joked to Nieto that “You might have a Porsche, but I get the girls.” From then on they became great friends and, intriguingly, Sheene also participated in various events with Repsol backing that season –including competitions with the Derbi 250cc machine. Thus, the MotoGP legend who would win the 500cc title with Suzuki in 1976 and 1977 was also once a Repsol rider.”
Repsol sponsorship was fruitful for the red machines. In the first year of the partnership, the team would win the 125cc World Championship and take second in the 50cc series, thanks to Angel Nieto. It was a season in which both titles would be decided at the final race, celebrated at the Jarama circuit.
It was the first sell–out crowd for the Madrid track. Newspaper cuttings report attendance of more than 70,000 spectators; some even have the number down as over the 100,000 mark.
The 1971 Spanish Grand Prix has gone down in history as the relaunch of motorsport in the country. Never before had motorcycle events been given so much coverage on European television, radio and the written press, with over 500 accredited journalists present.
It was the race that would define the season. Nieto was fighting for the 125cc and 500cc titles against Jean de Vries and Barry Sheene, respectively. There had never been such interest at Jarama, with people flocking from all over Spain, planes fleeted from the Netherlands and an extraordinary turnout.
Under such circumstances, the pressure was overwhelming. Nieto had to hole up in the Hotel Cuzco, where Spanish television visited him ahead of D–Day. When race day arrived, De Vries and Nieto were the main attraction in the 50cc class. However, on the last corner of the final lap, after overtaking the Dutchman, Nieto suffered a huge crash which sent him to hospital. De Vries would win the race and the title.
Race Director, Pablo Arranz, ran over to Nieto alongside the medics. The rider had rolled violently in the impact from the crash and was motionless on the ground. Incredibly, after receiving four stitches to his knee, the Spaniard was able to line up on the grid with his Derbi 125cc for the next race. Not only that, but he was able to clinch his first title in the 125cc class, following his 50cc triumphs in 1969 and 1970.
1972: A YEAR OF GLORY
The success of the previous year encouraged those in charge at Derbi. The race team set to work on new prototypes for 1972. The 50cc machines would feature an experiment with liquid cooling, allowing for a uniform sump level and avoiding the loss of 3–4hp under extreme conditions. The result was positive and Repsol would even produce a special oil which doubled as a coolant. Nikasil cylinders and an aerodynamic livery developed at the INTA aerospace technology centre in Madrid brought the 50cc bikes to almost the same level as the Kreidlet van Veen –designed in the Netherlands by German engineer Jörg Moller. The bikes would have 18–20hp at their disposal.
Work was also carried out on the 125cc machines. Cylinder and sump cooling, plus distribution, were improved, giving the bike some 35hp and 12,500rpm. The aim was to match the Morbidelli, Yamaha and Maico bikes joining them on the grid.
The season was a successful one for the Spanish team. Angel Nieto claimed both the 50cc and 125cc titles –although he would be made to fight for the honours. De Vries tied with Nieto on three victories apiece, but the final corner of the Dutchman’s home race, Assen, would see Nieto emerge victorious in both the race and the title chase.
In 125cc, Nieto took his first title double. Rivals Andersson, Mortimer, Jansson and Parlotti conceded little to the Spaniard, but victories for Nieto in Austria, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden would give him a second title in the class.
