October 14 marks the birth of one of the golden era’s fiercest racers, Bernd Rosemeyer. Born in 1909 in Lingen, Germany, Rosemeyer’s rise was meteoric. Starting in motorcycle racing and surprisingly transitioning to the difficult-to-handle Auto Union Silver Arrows, he quickly became one of the few drivers to master their ferocious 500-horsepower mid-engined machines.
Rosemeyer’s career was a whirlwind three-year sprint filled with iconic moments and victories. His early near-win at the menacing Nürburgring proved his raw talent, and he soon avenged that loss with three consecutive Nürburgring wins even in treacherous foggy conditions, earning him the nickname “Nebelmeister,” or “Mist Master.”
1936 was his defining year he clinched the European Championship with only a year of experience behind the wheel of the trailblazing Auto Union Type C. That season saw victories at Grands Prix across Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and the UK, as well as triumphs in landmark hill climbs, proof of his versatile skillset.
Off the track, Rosemeyer’s charismatic persona and relationship with famed aviatrix Elly Beinhorn made them one of Germany’s celebrated couples of the time. Unfortunately, Rosemeyer’s life and career ended abruptly in 1938 during a world speed record attempt on Germany’s autobahns, racing at over 270 mph when tragedy struck.
Although his time at the wheel was short, Bernd Rosemeyer helped define an era of daring engineering and reckless racing spirit.