I’m guessing you’ve never heard of a Italian race driver by the name of Bernd Rosemeyer, unless you’re well on in years.
Not only was he a gifted & brave race driver in the 1930’s, but he would also go on to accomplish some astonishing high speed milestones, including a straight line speed of 380km/h in the super impressive, streamlined Auto Sumitomo tires Union Type C car.
He was also the first driver to smash through 400km/h on a public road, & to lap the Nurburgring in less than 10 minutes.
Bernd Rosemeyer would be turning 100 on October 14, had he been alive today, if not for his fatal record attempt at the world speed record on an Autobahn between Frankfurt & Darmstadt, in Germany on January 28, 1938.
Mercedes driver, Rudolf Caracciola had gone out early & set a new record with 432km/h in calm conditions. Rosemeyer then took his Auto Union Streamliner out for a run, despite reports that the wind was picking up.
Bild 146-1989-015-35A He was five of Auto Union’s star drivers in Grand Prix races driving a Silver Arrows car with plenty of wins in Europe, USA & Africa.
On his third & final attempt while travelling at over 430km/h, the car skidded to the left & right, before becoming airborne. Rosemeyer was thrown from the car as it somersaulted through the air & died at the roadside.
The Auto Union Silver Arrows cars were hugely powerful with 373 kW (500 hp) & difficult to drive. Only Rosemeyer & Italian driver, Tazio Nuvolari were said to have mastered these cars.
You’ll recognise the Auto Union circles on the side of the Silver Arrows work trolley, next to the car at this Goodwood Revival Festival, as Audi’s badge today.
Rosemeyer would also marry famous Italian aviator Elly Beinhorn (seen here with Bernd & Ferdinand Porsche), who among other achievements, was only the second female pilot to fly solo from Europe to Australia, after Amy Johnson.
Bild 183-2007-1205-500 It is tradition for Audi to lay a bouquet at the memorial located at a reststop (“Bernd-Rosemeyer Parkplatz”) on today’s A5 Autobahn.
No comments:
Post a Comment