Herman Jolink: When Racing is Life

“Drag racing is about unity, not differences,” says Herman Jolink, a 70-year-old drag racing legend with an extraordinary story of resilience.

Despite facing life-threatening health issues and immense challenges, Jolink remains as passionate as ever about the sport that has defined his life.

I first met Herman Jolink at the Meguiar’s Drag Festival 2024 at Mantorp Park, Sweden. I was there with my young son, soaking up the roaring engines and adrenaline-filled atmosphere. Earlier in the day, I’d seen Jolink snap his chain during an attempted pull. It was a tough break for the seasoned racer.

As the day wound down, my son and I took a lap around the tents “backstage”. There, amidst the racers and their bikes and cars, I saw a skinny, long haird man with cotton in his ears unloading items he wanted to sell. He seemed to be working alone, so I asked if he needed a hand. He took me up on my offer—but not to help unload.

Instead, I found myself helping him disassemble his rear wheelie bar and wheel to fit a new chain.

The process was tedious, but my son thrived in the moment. Herman offered him licorice from a tin and encouraged him to pitch in, asking him to fetch tools and zip ties.

When I tried to help my son follow Herman’s instructions, he stopped me, saying:
“Let him work it out himself”.

It was a glimpse into Jolink’s unfiltered personality—blunt yet deeply invested in sharing his passion. Before we could finish the task, a pair of patched bikers—friends from the Netherlands—arrived to help. Not long after, one of Herman’s colleagues turned up as well, only to be scolded for watching drag races instead of lending a hand.

As much as I wanted to stay, my son—just shy of three years old—was exhausted, and we had to leave nut we left with a lasting memory of what racing can be.

Herman Jolink’s dedication to drag racing is as legendary as his custom-built Ducati motorcycles. At nearly 70, Jolink has seen it all—decades of racing, personal hardships, and the evolution of motorsport. Yet, his passion for the track burns as brightly as it did when he first started.

“I never sell a bike,” Jolink chuckles, explaining how his garage has turned into a personal museum of his career. Each frame and engine tells a Ducati Panigale 1199, modified to 1,408cc powerhouse.

“It’s all mechanical—no computers. I don’t like systems that make people think less.”

A brush with mortality has not slowed him down. Last year, Jolink faced a grim diagnosis—a 5.5 cm tumor in his colon, combined with complications in his kidney and prostate. “It was very close—I nearly died,” he admits. His determination to live fully, however, remains unshaken.

“If I reach 70 and it’s my time, so be it. But I’ll live on my terms—no colostomy bags or anything like that.“

His recent trip to a racing event underscores his relentless spirit. Jolink traveled 923 kilometers, enduring an exhausting journey that included a two-hour nap and an overcharged ferry ride. “It wasn’t fair,” he recounts, “but what can you do?”

The camaraderie in motorsport has changed over the years, he notes. Earlier, racers would help each other without expecting anything in return. Now, financial transactions often replace goodwill. Yet, Jolink treasures the support he still receives, especially from figures like Ducati’s Paulo Cebati.

Beyond the track, Jolink reflects on the broader lessons of life. “My youngest brother has lived with cancer for 19 years—he even runs marathons now. It shows that everyone’s cells are different; no two humans are alike.”

“Drag racing is unique. On the track, black and white racers come together—it’s about the sport, not differences.”

Jolink’s disdain for small talk is balanced by his love for meaningful conversations. “I talk to people; I write poetry; I even give speeches at funerals,” he says. His worldview rejects extremism in all forms, and while he acknowledges the evolving nature of motorsport through digitalization and electrification, he firmly believes in the irreplaceable value of human connection.

As he gears up for another season, Jolink’s message is clear: life is a race, and he intends to keep riding, learning, and connecting until the final lap.