The TT Assen tile: Tradition for more than 25 years
On June 26, the first races of TT Assen 2026 will begin. This marks the start of the 95th edition of an event that has been part of Dutch motorsport history for almost a century. Every year, tens of thousands of visitors travel to the TT Circuit Assen for a weekend filled with speed, technology, and competition.
Behind the scenes, however, there is another group that is essential to the success of the event. More than 900 volunteers dedicate their time each year to ensure everything runs smoothly. From guiding visitors to supporting the organisation, an event of this scale would not be possible without their commitment.
As a token of appreciation for their contribution, they receive a special keepsake after the event: the annual TT tile.
A tradition that has continued for more than 25 years
For the 95th edition of the TT, we once again produced the official volunteer tile. We have been doing so continuously for more than 25 years for the TT Assen organisation.
The tiles are not sold and cannot be purchased through shops or collectors. They are exclusively presented to the volunteers who contributed to the event. This exclusivity gives them a special meaning for those who receive them.
More than a souvenir
What started as a gesture of appreciation has gradually grown into a tradition that many volunteers look forward to each year. Because a new tile is issued annually, complete collections have emerged over time.
For volunteers who have been involved with the TT for many years, each tile represents a specific edition of the event. Not only the races themselves, but also the people they worked with and the atmosphere of that particular race weekend.
For many volunteers, the annual tile is special because:
- A new design is released every year
- The tiles are not available for public sale
- Some collections now include more than 25 editions
- Each tile is connected to a specific TT edition
As a result, these tiles have become much more than a simple reminder of an event.
An event powered by volunteers
Over the course of nearly one hundred years, TT Assen has grown into one of the best-known motorsport events in the Netherlands. Organising an event of this scale requires a tremendous collective effort every year.
Volunteers are involved in, among other things:
- Guiding visitors
- Supporting the organisation
- Logistical activities around the circuit
- Providing information during the event
- Practical support at various locations
While spectators mainly focus on the action on the track, hundreds of volunteers work behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Preserving memories in ceramics
The TT tile is not the only example of ceramics being used to commemorate a special occasion. In our workshop, we regularly produce Delft Blue commemorative plates and other personalised ceramics for anniversaries, memorials, company milestones, and special events.
Just like the TT tiles, these pieces are created to capture moments that hold meaning for the recipient. While an anniversary or event may pass, a ceramic keepsake is often preserved for many years. That is why ceramic tiles and commemorative plates continue to be a popular way of marking important occasions.
A piece of TT history in ceramics
The history of the TT dates back to 1925. In the century that followed, the event grew into a true icon of motorsport. The annual volunteer tile has become a small but recognisable part of that history.
For us, it is special to have contributed to this tradition for more than a quarter of a century. Every year, a new tile is created for a new edition of the TT, while the tradition itself remains unchanged.
Some volunteers have now built collections that represent more than 25 years of TT history. In that sense, these tiles tell not only the story of the races, but above all the story of the people who make the event possible year after year.
