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
Famous quotes containing the words fatal, record and/or attempt:
“Any defeat, however trivial, may be fatal to a savior of the plain people. They never admire a messiah with a bloody nose.”
—H.L. (Henry Lewis)
“That is what the highest criticism really is, the record of ones own soul. It is more fascinating than history, as it is concerned simply with oneself. It is more delightful than philosophy, as its subject is concrete and not abstract, real and not vague. It is the only civilised form of autobiography.”
—Oscar Wilde (18541900)
“Public Opinion ... an attempt to organise the ignorance of the community, and to elevate it to the dignity of physical force.”
—Oscar Wilde (18541900)