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List of Nürburgring fatalities

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fatal accidents on the Nürburgring motorsport race track in Nürburg, Germany during national and international motor-sport events on the 28.265 kilometres (17.563 mi) Gesamtstrecke ("Whole Course"), the 22.810 km (14.173 mi) Nordschleife ("Northern Loop"), the 7.747 km (4.814 mi) Südschleife ("Southern Loop") and the 2.281 km (1.417 mi) warm-up loop Zielschleife ("Finish Loop") or Betonschleife. From 1984, the new GP-Strecke or Eifelring which was built on the site of the Nürburgring pits complex and part of the Südschleife. This list does not cover fatalities from public sessions.

List of fatal accidents involving competitors

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No Competitor Date Course Section Race Event Machine
1 Czech Republic Čeněk Junek 15 July 1928[1] Nordschleife Breidscheid/ex-Mühle 1928 Großer Preis der Sportwagen Bugatti Type 35B
2 Germany Ernst von Halle 16 July 1928 Nordschleife Kesselchen 1928 Großer Preis der Sportwagen Amilcar
3 Germany Wilhelm Heine (driver) 28 Sep 1929 Nordschleife Steilstrecke 1929 ADAC-Langstreckenfahrt 1929 8 Hour Touring Car Race BMW
4 Germany Heinrich-Joachim von Morgen 27 May 1932 Nordschleife Hatzenbach 1932 Eifelrennen Practice Bugatti T51
5 Germany Paul Gründel 3 July 1932 Zielschleife Südkehre 1932 Westdeutsche Kraftradmeisterschaft Practice 350cc Impéria
6 Austria Emil Frankl 3 June 1934 Nordschleife 1934 Internationales Eifelrennen Bugatti
7 Germany Toni Babl 15 June 1936 Nordschleife 1936 Internationales Eifelrennen Practice 600cc Douglas Sidecar
8 Germany Ernst von Delius 26 June 1937 Nordschleife Antoniusbuche/Döttinger Höhe 1937 AIACR European Championship 1937 German Grand Prix Auto-Union Type C
9 Germany Alfred Morali 7 Aug 1949 Nordschleife Aremberg 1949 Großer Preis vom Nürburgring Practice Norton 500cc
10 Germany Theodor Weißenberger 11 June 1950[2] Nordschleife Metzgesfeld 1950 Eifelrennen BMW Veritas
11 Germany Günther Schlüter 20 Aug 1950 Nordschleife Pflanzgarten 1950 German F3 Championship 1950 German Grand Prix Scampolo 501 - DKW F3
12 Germany Josef Hackenberg 25 May 1952 Nordschleife 1952 German Sportscar Championship 1952 Eifelrennen BMW Veritas RS
13 Germany Paul Kresser 28 June 1953 Südschleife/Zielschleife German Sidecar Championship 1953 Rund um das Bayerkreuz BMW 500cc Sidecar
14 Argentina Onofre Marimón 31 July 1954[3] Nordschleife Adenau Bridge 1954 German Grand Prix Practice Maserati 250F
15 Argentina Ricardo Galvagni 25 June 1955 Nordschleife Fuchsröhre 1955 German motorcycle Grand Prix Practice 500cc Norton
16 Germany Rudi Godin 3 July 1955 Nordschleife Pflanzgarten 1955 Rheinlandfahrt für Motorräder 250cc Puch
17 Germany Viktor Spingler 28 Aug 1955 Nordschleife Brünnchen 1955 German Sportscar GT Championship 1955 Internationales Rennen Porsche 356
18 Germany Bernhard Thiel 19 April 1958 Nordschleife Pflanzgarten 1958 German Rally Championship 1958 Rallye Hanseat Borgward Isabella
19 Germany Erwin Bauer 3 June 1958 Nordschleife 1958 FIA World Sport Car Championship 1958 ADAC 1000 km Nürburgring Ferrari 250 TR
20 United Kingdom Peter Collins 3 Aug 1958[4] Nordschleife Pflanzgarten 1958 FIA Formula 1 World Championship 1958 German Grand Prix Ferrari Dino 246
21 Switzerland Fausto Meyrat 9 June 1959 Nordschleife Kesselchen 1959 FIA World Sports Car Championship 1959 ADAC 1000 km Nürburgring DKW Auto Union RS 1080
22 Germany Alfred Wohlgemuth 30 April 1961[5] Südschleife/Zielschleife 1961 Internationales Eifelrennen BMW 500cc Sidecar
23 United Kingdom Dickie Dale 30 April 1961 Bocksberg 500cc Norton
24 Germany Günter Strasburger 30 Sep 1962 Südschleife/Zielschleife 1962 ADAC Eifel-Pokal Rennen BMW 500cc Sidecar
25 Germany Michael Rader 14 July 1963 Nordschleife Schwedenkreuz 1963 Internationales Rennen Alfa Romeo
26 Germany Dieter Schmicking 28 Sep 1963 Südschleife/Zielschleife 1963 Junioren-Pokal Practice
27 Germany Axel Klaska 28 Sep 1963 Practice
28 United Kingdom Brian Hetreed 29 May 1964 Nordschleife Bergwerk 1964 ADAC 1000 km Nürburgring Practice Aston Martin DP214
29 Germany Rudolf Moser 30 May 1964 Nordschleife Antoniusbuche 1964 ADAC 1000 km Nürburgring Practice Porsche 904 GTS
30 Netherlands Carel Godin de Beaufort 1 Aug 1964[6] Nordschleife Bergwerk 1964 FIA Formula 1 World Championship 1964 German Grand Prix Porsche 718
31 Germany Herbert Mandel 25 Sep 1964 Südschleife Müllenbach 1964 German Sidecar Championship 1964 ADAC Eifelpokal-Rennen BMW Sidecar 500cc
32 Luxembourg Honoré Wagner 23 May 1965 Nordschleife Kallenhardt International Championship for Makes 1964 ADAC 1000 km Nürburgring Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ1
33 Germany Manfred König 24 Sep 1965 Südschleife Müllenbach 1965 ADAC Eifelpokal-Rennen 1965 Junioren-Pokal BMW 500cc
34 United Kingdom John Taylor 7 Aug 1966[7] Nordschleife Flugplatz 1966 FIA Formula 1 World Championship 1966 German Grand Prix Brabham BT11
35 Germany Ranier Dangel 16 May 1967 Nordschleife Regularity Trial Opel Kadett
36 Belgium Georges Berger 23 Aug 1967 Nordschleife Pflanzgarten 1967 Marathon de la Route Porsche 911
37 Netherlands Albertus Goedemans 30 Aug 1968 Nordschleife Antoniusbuche ADAC 500 km-Rennen Practice Abarth SP 1000
38 Germany Gerhard Mitter 1 Aug 1969[8] Nordschleife Flugplatz/Schwedenkreuz 1969 FIA Formula 2 Practice BMW 269 F2
39 Germany Hans-Dieter Fröhle 17 April 1970 Nordschleife Schwedenkreuz ADAC 300 km Rennen Formula Vee ONS Cup Volkswagen
40 Germany Klein 18 April 1970 Nordschleife Schwedenkreuz ADAC 300 km Rennen Practice Porsche GT
41 United Kingdom Robin Fitton 2 May 1970 Nordschleife Wippermann 1970 World Motor-Cycle Championship 1970 German motorcycle Grand Prix 350cc Norton
42 Finland Hans Laine 30 May 1970 Nordschleife Döttinger Höhe International Championship for Makes 1970 ADAC 1000 km of Nürburgring Porsche 908
43 Germany Herbert Schultze 12 July 1970 Nordschleife Hatzenbach FIA European Touring Car Championship 1970 Nürburgring 6 Hour Alfa Romeo GTA
44 Germany Ulrich Ritkowski 6 Sep 1970 Nordschleife 1970 Junioren-Pokal 1970 Eifelpokalrennen BMW 500cc
45 Germany Herbert Mann 16 Oct 1971 Südschleife Mayener Rundstreckenrennen Practice
46 Germany Erich Bertholdt 17 Oct 1971 Südschleife Müllenbachkurve Deutsche Strassenmeisterschaft Mayener Rundstreckenrennen 500cc Kawasaki
47 Germany Rüdiger Schwietring 6 Oct 1973 Südschleife Bocksberg Meisterschaftslauf für Serien-Motorräder Sprintrunde Honda 750cc
48 Germany Walter Czadek 31 Aug 1975 Nordschleife Döttinger Höhe 1975 FIA Worldchampionship GT Cars 1975 Internationales Rennen BMW 2002 TI
49 Switzerland Alex Wittwer 2 April 1976 Nordschleife Fuchsröhre 1976 FIA European Formula 3 Championship Practice March 743 - Toyota F3
50 Germany Heinz Behrentin 3 July 1976 Nordschleife 1976 German Reliability Championship
51 Germany Ernst Raetz 9 July 1976 Nordschleife Flugplatz 1976 Großer Preis der Tourenwagen 1976 Formula Super Vee Volkswagen
52 Italy Corrado Antonello 16 June 1979 Nordschleife Sudkurve 1979 8 Hours of Nürburgring 1979 Laverda Match Race Laverda
53 Switzerland Herbert Müller 24 May 1981 Nordschleife Kesselchen 1981 FIA World Endurance Championship 1981 ADAC 1000 km Nürburgring Porsche 908 turbo
54 Finland Jorma Nevala 23 Aug 1981 Zielschleife Pits Straight 1981 Deutsche Motorradmeisterschaft 1981 Deutsche Tourist Trophy
55 Germany Hans Michael Kolb 10 May 1986 GP-Strecke Deutsche Motorradmeisterschaft
56 Germany Wolfgang Offermann 26 July 1986 Nordschleife Schwalbenschwanz VLN-Langstreckenmeisterschaft Opel Manta GTE
57 Germany Karl-Josef Römer 24 Oct 1986 Nordschleife Döttinger Höhe VLN-Langstreckenmeisterschaft 1986 VLN – Langstreckenpokal Porsche Carrera SC
58 Germany Wolfgang Scholz 19 Sep 1998 Nordscheli Breidscheid VLN-Langstreckenmeisterschaft 1998 VLN – Langstreckenpokal Volkswagen Golf GTI
59 Germany Stefan Eickelmann 10 Oct 1998 Nordschleife Karussell VLN-Langstreckenmeisterschaft 1998 DMV-250-Meilen-Rennen BMW M3 - E36
60 Germany Oliver Perschke 25 July 1999 GP-Strecke Castrol - S 1999 Deutsche Straßenmeisterschaft
61 Netherlands Marc van de Brandeler 5 Sep 1999 Nordschleife FIA Ferrari Porsche Challenge 1999 Ferrari Porsche Challenge Porsche 993
62 Germany Carola Biehler 12 Aug 2000 Nordschleife/GP-Strecke Flugplatz/Schwedenkreuz VLN-Langstreckenmeisterschaft 2000 6 Hour Ruhr-Pokal Rennen Ford Escort RS2000
63 Germany Christian Peruzzi 25 May 2001 Nordschleife/GP-Strecke Schwedenkreuz/Aremberg 2001 ADAC 24 Hours Nürburgring Alfa Romeo 147
64 Germany Ulli Richter 4 Aug 2001 Nordschleife/GP-Strecke Döttinger Höhe 2001 VLN 6 Hour Ruhr-Pokal Rennen race lap 9 Porsche 996 GT3
65 Germany Karl-Heinz Deusch 7 July 2002 GP-Strecke Ford Curve 2002 Motor Racing Legends 2002 Oldtimer Festival MG J12
66 Germany Lutz Barthel 27 June 2004 GP-Strecke Hatzenbachbogen 2004 Motor Racing Legends 2004 Oldtimer Festival BMW 328
67 Switzerland Hansruedi Portmann 27 Sep 2008 Nordschleife/GP-Strecke Wehrseifen 2008 ADAC Classic Trophy 2008 ADAC Eifelrennen Ford Mustang
68 Germany Leo Löwenstein 24 April 2010 Nordschleife/GP-Strecke Bergwerk VLN-Langstreckenmeisterschaft 2010 ADAC ACAS H&R Cup Aston Martin V8 Vantage
69 Germany Wolf Silvester 22 June 2013 Nordschleife/GP-Strecke Schwalbenschwanz VLN-Langstreckenmeisterschaft 44th Adenauer ADAC Simfy Trophy Opel Astra OPC

List of fatal accidents involving spectators

[edit]
No Name Date Course Section Race Event Role
1 Netherlands Andy Gehrmann 28 March 2015 Nordschleife/GP-Strecke Flugplatz VLN Endurance Championship 61. ADAC Westfalenfahrt Spectator

List of fatal accidents involving race officials

[edit]
No Official Date Course Place Series Race Role
1 Germany Guenther Schneider 6 Aug 1963 Nordschleife Flugplatz FIA Formula 1 World Championship 1963 Großer Preis von Deutschland/ 1963 German Grand Prix Red Cross Volunteer
2 Germany Berdt Hackenbert 23 April 1977 Nordschleife Pflanzgarten VLN-Langstreckenmeisterschaft 1977 Internationale ADAC Ahr Eifel 5 Hours Marshal
3 Germany Klaus Bierth 8 June 1979 Nordschleife Pit-Lane Entrance VLN-Langstreckenmeisterschaft 1979 ADAC 4 Hour Großer Preis der Tourenwagen Marshal

List of fatal accidents during unofficial testing

[edit]
No Competitor Date Course Place Series Event Machine
1 Germany Hermann Schmitz 8 Oct 1936 Nordschleife Karussell Daimler-Benz Racing School Private Test Mercedes-Benz 500K
2 Germany Gustav Baumm 23 May 1955 Nordschleife Wippermann Private Test Baumm - NSU 125cc
3 Germany Erich Bode 20 June 1961 Nordschleife Fuchsröhre German Formula Junior Championship Private Test Mitter - DKW
4 Germany Hans-Dieter Blatzheim 14 June 1985 GP-Strecke Castrol Esses Historic Sports Cars Private Test Porsche 917
5 Germany Marc Theis 6 May 2002 GP-Strecke Audi Chicane Formula König Championship Private Test Formula König
6 Luxembourg Christian Franck 9 August 2023 Nordschleife Tiergarten GoodYear Tire private test Private Test Porsche 911 Carrera S[9]
7 Unidentified

Sources

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  1. ^ The Chequered Flag - 100 Years of Motor Racing p122 by Ivan Rendall (1995) Media Eye Ltd Weidenfeld & Nicolson ISBN 0-297-83220-4
  2. ^ P-47 Thunderbolt vs Bf 109G/K Europe 1943-45 by Martin Bowman p49 (2008) Osprey Publishing ISBN 1-84603-315-2
  3. ^ The Guinness Complete Grand Prix Who's Who p245 by Steve Small (1994) Guinness Publishing Ltd ISBN 0-85112-702-9
  4. ^ The Guinness Complete Grand Prix Who's Who p111 by Steve Small (1994) Guinness Publishing Ltd ISBN 0-85112-702-9
  5. ^ German Racing Motorcycles by Mick Walker p77 RedLine Books ISBN 0-9531311-2-2
  6. ^ The Guinness Complete Grand Prix Who's Who p48 by Steve Small (1994) Guinness Publishing Ltd ISBN 0-85112-702-9
  7. ^ The Guinness Complete Grand Prix Who's Who p378 by Steve Small (1994) Guinness Publishing Ltd ISBN 0-85112-702-9
  8. ^ The Guinness Complete Grand Prix Who's Who p256 by Steve Small (1994) Guinness Publishing Ltd ISBN 0-85112-702-9
  9. ^ Bell, Sebastien (August 10, 2023). "Two Killed In High-Speed Crash During Industry Testing At Nurburgring". Carscoops. Retrieved February 11, 2024.