Rosemeyer, Bernd

Bernd Rosemeyer, (born Oct. 14, 1909, Lingen, Ger.—died Jan. 28, 1938, near Mörfelden), German automobile racing driver who established himself as one of the world’s great drivers in three seasons of racing (1935–37).

Rosemeyer began racing as a member of the Auto Union motorcycle team but switched to racing cars in 1935. In 1935 he won his first major race, the Masark Grand Prix. In 1936 he won the German, Swiss, and Italian Grand Prix to become European champion. His victory during a German race driven in misty weather earned him the nickname Nebelmeister (“mist master”). In 1937 he won the German Grand Prix again, the Vanderbilt Cup (U.S.), the Acerbo Cup (Italy), and the Donnington Grand Prix (England). He set a track record at the German Avus circuit of 171.75 mph (276.38 kmph). He was killed on the Frankfurt-Darmstadt autobahn when his car lost a tire and hit a bridge while he was attempting to set a flying kilometre record.