V is for Volvo - 211 Dennis Vorkink Interview
Dennis Vorkink is one of the sport’s most dedicated drivers and this year has set his aims on qualifying for the World Final via the Banger World Series rounds. Whilst he had a bit of down time, Bryson caught up with the Bonös leader for a chat!
The Banger World Series has fast become a dividing factor in the banger community splitting opinion but since the introduction of the Entertainers League last season it has appealed a bit more to both drivers and fans alike. I asked Dennis what made him chose to compete in all of the BWS rounds. ‘My dream is to one day race in the World Final, and next year is when the Brexit laws are introduced so I’m unsure of whether I can transport cars.’ It’s clear that Dennis intends on trying to qualify via the entertainer route, so it was worth finding out whether he had any special machinery to race having already boasted two fresh signwritten 240 Estates in the opening two rounds. ‘One 240 is already in the UK for Hednesford - a saloon!’ However, the Hednesford round has unfortunately had to be postponed due to the government regulations surrounding the Coronavirus - Dennis shared his brutal opinion on the scenario. ‘The corona? Big shit! I have lots of plans.’ Following on from when Holland and England resume normal play, Dennis has 3 surprise vehicles to come out to play, all of which have been carefully orchestrated with his team. ‘After Hednesford I have 3 cool Volvos. I have made these plans last year with my signs boy. Me building my cars and him the signs for more points.’
Keeping with the theme of the BWS, I asked Dennis how he is finding the meetings on UK tarmac. ‘I like to race as the entertainer. I hope Spedeworth like it too. The Dutch boy coming for fun and smiling. It costs a lot of money and time to always travel but I love it.’ Dennis strives off the fact he can entertain the crowd by entertaining and he aims to just that when if he does make it into the main race. ‘If I can race in the World Final then I’ll be coming for the fun.’ Having concentrated the majority of his time and efforts into competing in the BWS, I asked Dennis what other plans he has racing for the rest of the year. ‘My plan is Emmen Teams. Not more. I’ll be busy for the BWS. Only we must see when we can come back to race.’
Dennis has a couple of affiliate names - Mister Nös and Mr Volvo, the latter aptly describing his love affair with the Swedish Tank that he just loves to race and destroy, and he has had plenty of variants including a 2 Series Transfer, 2 Series Ambulance and a 262c, so I had to find out what his favourite was! ‘My favourite was in the ambulance. Big luck that day. The 240 transfer was the same - a beauty.’ Naturally I had to find out if Dennis had any intentions on racing anything other than a Volvo at any point of his racing career - ‘maybe one time a Yank!’
Dennis highlighted the 2 Series Ambulance as his favourite car among all the cars he has raced and he has also been involved with some top meetings along the year - his favourite, ‘Wow. Emmm. I have lots of nice meetings. My best was teams 2015 or 16. I had lots of crashes and won the DD.’ Dennis’ career has seen him compete with many a driver and form some solid bonds with other drivers to but its not just the drivers on track he admires. ‘ I admire all my race friends. I just think it is very special that whole families live for it in England. It’s awesome!’ As always I concluded my interview by asking Dennis if there was anybody behind the scenes that he wishes to thank as it’s always important that the team behind the driver get the just recognition they deserve. ‘Yes René Reijer for signs. Harry my mechanic, David for fixing all my Volvo engines. Matty High and Laura Quadling for always helping me in the UK! 💪 NFG!’