Thursday 14th October 1909

Born on this day, Bernd Rosemeyer. Originally a motorcycle racer, Rosemeyer didn’t hesitate upon the invitation to become a member of the Auto Union team in 1935, winning his first major car race right away at the Masarykring. In 1936 he became European champion by winning the German, Swiss, and Italian Grands Prix. The following season he won the German Grand Prix again, plus the Vanderbilt Cup in the US, the Acerbo Cup in Italy and the British Grand Prix at Donington Park. Already a record holder at the German Avus circuit of 171.75, he attempted a land speed record on January 28, 1938 on the autobahn between the cities of Frankfurt and Darmstadt when his car went out of control and hit a bridge, killing the German ace instantly at the age of 28.