Fatal Record Attempt
Bernd was killed during a land speed record attempt on the Autobahn between Frankfurt and Darmstadt, on January 28, 1938.
Competing for the record on the same day against Rudolf Caracciola, Rosemeyer went later in the day and set a new record of 432 km/h (268 mph) . Rosemeyer went out next in his Auto Union streamliner, despite a report wind was picking up. After two preliminary runs he was on his third and final attempt at 11:47 a.m., when the car suddenly went out of control. Whether caught by a gust of wind or by an unforeseen aerodynamic effect, it skidded to the left and, perhaps after over-correcting, it swerved to the right and off the highway where it went airborne. Rosemeyer was thrown out of the car as it somersaulted through the air; he died at the roadside.
Read more about this topic: Bernd Rosemeyer
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