January 28, 1938 - A black day in racing history. The legendary driver Bernd Rosemeyer died while attempting to set a new world speed record. The cause of death is still disputed today. Reports, documents and contemporary accounts from 1938 now shed new light on the accidental death. ► More information about the program on our homepage: http://www.swr.de/marktcheck ► and on our Facebook page / marktcheck ► You can subscribe to our channel here: https://bit.ly/34ebysh ► You can find out more about our Ökocheckers on Instagram: / oekochecker ► Comments are welcome - but please observe the netiquette: http://www.swr.de/netiquette On January 28, 1938, the two automobile manufacturers Mercedes-Benz and Auto-Union met for a spectacular race. The goal is a new world speed record. Mercedes driver Rudolf Caracciola sets a world record in his streamlined car: 432 km/h on a public road. Bernd Rosemeyer takes to the start line. At kilometer 9.2 the unthinkable happens. Rosemeyer loses control, the vehicle turns sideways and rolls over: Rosemeyer is thrown out of the open cockpit and dies instantly. What was the cause? A technical problem? The weather conditions? The Nazis make it clear: Rosemeyer died with heroism for Germany. The press glorifies the accident ideologically. However: Investigations into the circumstances of the accident are stubbornly kept silent. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE AUTORACES IN NATIONAL SOCIALISM In Zwickau, Auto Union, Germany's first state-owned automobile company, developed its Grand Prix racing cars between 1934 and 1939. In the early 1930s, a racing car was built based on plans by the car designer Ferdinand Porsche. A 16-cylinder with a compressor, power over 300 hp. The mid-engine concept is revolutionary. It ensures better power transmission - a challenge to the competitor Mercedes. The duels between the then young Auto Union and the traditional Mercedes-Benz AG, promoted and financed by the Nazi regime, dominate the events on the race tracks. They become more intense when Bernd Rosemeyer takes over the wheel as a racing driver for Auto Union. He is to challenge Mercedes works driver and European champion Rudolf Caracciola for the position. In Zwickau, great hopes are placed in the young driver talent. A stroke of luck for Auto Union, but also for the National Socialists, who want to exploit the racing duels for propaganda purposes. Racing is a political calculation in the 1930s. Declarations of loyalty to the regime are obligatory. Rosemeyer becomes a member of the SS in 1932, and his registration card lists him from November 1933. WHO WAS BERND ROSEMEYER? One of Germany's greatest racing drivers died on the side of the Frankfurt Darmstadt motorway in a crazy duel for a new speed record. What exactly happened that day? What drives people to chase new speed records? Bernd Rosemeyer was the regime's model hero: a daredevil, audacious, the new star in the motorsports sky, a winner. The son of a car mechanic from Lingen in Emsland, he loved the thrill of speed. At the age of 22, he drove motorcycle races for NSU and DKW. In 1935, Rosemeyer switched to four wheels and became a works driver for Auto Union. Rosemeyer became an idol when he married the famous aviator Elly Beinhorn in 1936. THE DAY OF THE TRAGEDY On January 28, 1938, a lot was at stake. Whoever came forward as a record holder could expect fame and recognition. The goal was to break the 400 km/h mark - Rosemeyer's existing world record from October 1937. Two runs were necessary on the closed-off test track. The wind is gusty and at kilometer 9.2 the unthinkable happens: the Type C streamlined car gets out of control on the eight-meter-wide track and rolls over over a distance of 900 meters. The wreckage lands on a bridge embankment. Rosemeyer dies instantly. Auto Union is apparently not interested in a complete investigation. The wreckage is destroyed before it can be thoroughly examined. So the theory always remained that it was a gust of wind that carried Rosemeyer off the track. CONCLUSION The real reasons for Rosemeyer's fatal ride will remain a mystery forever. Was it just the wind that carried him off the track? Probably not. There were several reasons: inadequate development, technical over-exertion, time pressure provoked by the opponent, poor racing strategy. Things that were kept quiet for a long time. Daimler had won the speed duel with Auto Union. A victory that is not one. It pales in comparison to the tragic end. Author: Thorsten Link Editor: Hanspeter Michel Image source: SWR #Rosemeyer #Racing driver #Speed ​​record