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AVUS

"Avus" redirects here. For the village in Azerbaijan, seeAvuş.

TheAutomobil-Verkehrs- und Übungsstraße('Automobile traffic and training road'), known asAVUS(German pronunciation:[ˈaːvʊs]ⓘ), is a public road inBerlin,Germany.Opened in 1921, it was the first automobile-only road,[1][2][3][4][5]served as an inspiration forPiero Puricelli's 1924autostrada,[6][7][8]and was also used as amotor racingcircuit until 1998. Today, the AVUS forms the northern part of theBundesautobahn 115.

Automobil-Verkehrs- und Übungsstraße (AVUS)
map of the track
LocationGermanyBerlin,Germany
Time zoneCET(UTC+1)
CEST(DST)
Coordinates52°28′50″N13°15′05″E/ 52.48056°N 13.25139°E/52.48056; 13.25139
Opened24 September 1921;103 years ago(1921-09-24)
Closed3 May 1998;26 years ago(1998-05-03)
Major events
Grand Prix Circuit with Chicane (1994–1998)
Length2.660 km (1.653 miles)
Turns6
Race lap record0:53.440 (ItalyStefano Modena,Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI,1994,Class 1 Touring Cars)
Grand Prix Circuit (1992–1993)
Length2.639 km (1.640 miles)
Turns4
Race lap record0:54.920 (ItalyMax Angelelli,Dallara F393,1993,F3)
Grand Prix Circuit (1989–1991)
Length4.879 km (3.032 miles)
Turns4
Race lap record1:30.050 (GermanyHans-Joachim Stuck,Audi V8 Quattro,1991,Group A)
Grand Prix Circuit with Unbanked Nord Kehre (1968–1988)
Length8.109 km (5.039 miles)
Turns4
Race lap record2:02.130 (West GermanyVolkert Merl,Porsche 956,1983,Group C)
Grand Prix Circuit (1951–1967)
Length8.300 km (5.157 miles)
Turns4
Banking43° (Nord Kehre)
Race lap record2:04.500 (United KingdomTony Brooks,Ferrari Dino 246,1959,F1)
Grand Prix Circuit (1937–1939)
Length19.291 km (11.987 miles)
Turns4
Banking43° (Nord Kehre)
Race lap record4:11.200 (GermanyBernd Rosemeyer,Auto Union Type C,1937,GP)
Original Grand Prix Circuit (1921–1936)
Length19.569 km (12.160 miles)
Turns4
Banking10° (Nord Kehre)
Race lap record4:32.000 (Auto Union Type B,GermanyHans Stuck,1935,GP)
Comparison of AVUS track banking to two other tracks

Circuit

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The highway is located in the southwestern districts of Berlin, linking theStadtringat theFunkturmjunction inCharlottenburgwithNikolassee.It runs through theGrunewald forestalong the historicKönigswegroad from Charlottenburg toPotsdamand the parallelBerlin-Blankenheim railwayline.

While normal for a road, it is unusually shaped for a race track as it is essentially two long straights in the form of a dual carriageway, with a hairpin corner at each end. The north curve featured a steep banking from 1937 to 1967. While the original layout was 19.569 km (12.160 mi) long, the southern turn was moved several times, to shorten the track to 8.300 km (5.157 mi), then 8.109 km (5.039 mi) without the banking, 4.879 km (3.032 mi) and finally 2.639 km (1.640 mi).

History

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In 1907 theKaiserlicher Automobilclub(KAC) association devised a fee-financed circuit, as both a motor-sport venue and a testing track for the motor industry. A developing company was established in 1909; however, a lack of finances and official authorisations delayed the start of construction until spring 1913. During theGreat Warworks discontinued, and thoughRussian Armyprisonerswere temporarily employed in AVUS's construction, the track was still unfinished. From 1920 the remaining road work was financed by businessman and politicianHugo Stinnes.The circuit, including a gate building and several stands, was inaugurated during the first post-warInternational Automobile Exhibition(IAA) with a motor race on 24 September 1921. Afterwards the road was open to the public at a charge of tenMarks.

Race track

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At the time of opening, AVUS was 19.569 km (12.160 mi) long – each straight being approximately half that length, and joined at each end by flat, large-radius curves, driven counter-clockwise.

While theGrand Prix motor racingscene still evaded German tracks, the circuit from 1922 was also the site ofmotorcycle races.On 11 July 1926 the track played host to the first internationalGerman Grand Prixfor sports cars, organised by the Automobilclub von Deutschland, the former KAC. The 1921 roadway turned out to be insufficient: Already, in practice two days before, the young Italian driver Enrico Platé (not to be confused with the Argentinian driver and team owner of the same name) was involved in a crash that killed his mechanic. During the race, in heavy rain, two track marshals died whenAdolf Rosenbergerlost control and hit the indicator board and the timekeeper's box, with a third employee succumbing to his injuries in hospital a few hours later. The Grand Prix was won by his fellow team-member, the so-far unknownMercedes-BenzsalesmanRudolf Caracciola,fromRemagen,driving a private, eight-cylinder "Monza"Kompressortype. The fastest lap of 161 km/h (100 mph) was set byFerdinando Minoiain anOM.

From 1927 the German Grand Prix was relocated to the new and more secureNürburgringcircuit in the Western GermanEifelrange, while the AVUS received a newasphaltsurface and served as an experimental track forrocket cars.

On 23 May 1928Fritz von Opel( "Rocket Fritz" ) achieved a speed record of 238 km/h (148 mph) in anOpel RAK2.

Due to theGreat Depressionannual auto races were not resumed until 1931, when Caracciola again won in aMercedes-Benz SSK,succeeded byManfred von Brauchitschthe next year after Caracciola had switched toAlfa Romeo.

The competition on 22 May 1932 saw further notable participants like theEarl Howe,Hans Stuckand SirMalcolm Campbell.TheCzechoslovakdriver, Prince George Christian ofLobkowicz,died when hisBugatti Type 54crashed in the southern hairpin. The following events were won byAchille Varzi(1933) andGuy Moll(1934), to the great annoyance of the newNazirulers, who declared the victory of German drivers and cars a matter of national pride. They strongly backed the construction of the newSilver Arrows(Silberpfeile) generation of Mercedes-Benz andAuto Union.

In 1935Luigi Fagioliwon the race in aMercedes-Benz W25;however, the track was no longer adequate for cars reaching average race speeds of far over 200 km/h (124 mph). In an effort to make AVUS the "world's fastest race track", the 1936 season was skipped and while the track hosted thecyclingroad race, the marathon and 50 km walkathleticevents of the1936 Summer Olympics,the north curve was turned into a steeply banked turn (43°) made of bricks.[9]It became dubbed thewall of death,especially as it had no retaining barrier, so cars that missed the turn easily flew off it.[10]The Silver Arrows raced only once on the banked version, in1937.As the AVUS race did not count towards the championship, non-GP cars were allowed, which permitted the use of streamlined cars, similar to the cars used for high speed record attempts. This race was run in two heats; during qualifying for the second heat, Luigi Fagioli stuck his Auto Union Type C on pole position, with a time of 4 minutes and 8.2 seconds at an average speed of 284.31 km/h (176.66 mph) - which was the fastest motor racing lap in history until this time was bettered byTony Bettenhausenin qualifying for the 1957Race of Two Worldsat Monza. It was also bettered by four drivers during the 1971 Indianapolis 500. Mercedes driverHermann Lang's average race speed of about 276 km/h (171 mph) was the fastest road race in history for nearly five decades, and was not matched on a high-speed banked-circuit until the mid-1980s at the 1986 Indianapolis 500.[11]

No major race was held after 1937 as, in early 1938, the popular German race driverBernd Rosemeyerwas killed in a land speed record attempt on a straight section of the AutobahnFrankfurt–Darmstadt(present-dayBundesautobahn 5), at which point the high-speed AVUS was considered too dangerous for the fast Grand Prix race cars. Furthermore, it was to be connected to the growingReichsautobahnnetwork in 1940 by extending it south towards theBerliner Ring,therefore the original hairpin atNikolasseewas demolished and replaced by a junction. A planned banked south turn was never built; the cleared grounds in theGrunewald forestwere used as a proving ground ( "Keerans Range" ) by theAmericanoccupation forces afterWorld War II.

Post-war

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The first AVUS race after the war was held on 1 July 1951 forFormula TwoandFormula Threecars, won byEast GermandriverPaul Greifzu.For post-war racing, the original extremely long straights were shortened by the introduction of a new south turn roughly in the middle (just before theHüttenwegexit, where it can still be seen), reducing the track length to 8.300 km (5.157 mi). After World War II, theBerlin Wall,with itsCheckpoint Bravoat Dreilinden/Drewitz, came no closer than about one mile (1.6 km) to the former South Turn. It is a common yet incorrect belief that the Berlin Wall cut the AVUS in half.

It was not until 19 September 1954 that this shorter track hosted a non-championshipFormula Onerace. This "Grand Prix of Berlin" was mainly a show dominated by theMercedes-Benz W196driversKarl Kling(the winner) andJuan Manuel Fangio.No serious competition was present, as many teams had refused to show up and the German Grand Prix was still held on the Nürburgring. Finally AVUS hosted its only world championship Formula One race with the1959 German Grand Prixon 2 August, won byTony Brooks.This race weekend also saw the death of French driverJean Behrain a supporting sports car race, as hisPorsche RSKflew over the top of the north turn banking, as there was no wall or fence. German driver and journalistRichard von Frankenberghad previously walked away from a similar spectacular crash at the same site, but Behra would have no such luck as his body impacted a flagpole head-first after he was flung from his car.

After 1961, Grand Prix racing did not race on banked circuits until2000.The banked sections atAutodromo Nazionale MonzaandAutodrome de Linas-Montlhérywere considered dangerous by international racing standards. They were used in connection withchicanesfor some time, then abandoned. Banking only returned to Formula One in 2000 when the series used a road course at theIndianapolis Motor Speedway.The AVUS banking was dismantled in 1967 to give way to an expanded intersection under the Funkturm tower. From the top of this tower, one can see that the AVUS is not perfectly straight.

The old banked circuit can be seen in the filmA Dandy in Aspic(1968) featuring period racing cars.

Racing was continued with a flat north turn, but AVUS only held national touring carsDTMandFormula Threeevents. The length of the track was roughly cut in half twice in the 1980s and 1990 as racing on straights became unpopular. Also,chicaneswere added to reduce entry speed into the North Curve. Yet, some incidents and accidents occurred. The BMW ofDieter Questerrolled over when exiting the last corner, and crossed the finish line sliding on its roof, with sparks flying, for a podium finish. The car ofJohn Winterhit a barrier and exploded into a fireball in North Curve, which he survived.

In 1995, the race 2 of DTM had to be cancelled, after a multi-car pileup blocked the circuit; later that September, British driverKieth O'dorwas killed in a Super Touring Car event when his car spun and was rammed sideways, with the impact on the driver's side.[12]

AVUS today

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After the fall of the Berlin wall, the closure of the AVUS for race events became increasingly problematic over traffic and associated environmental concerns. After the last races in 1998, a farewell event with veterans was held in 1999. Since 2000, the newEuroSpeedway LausitzinBrandenburgis considered the replacement venue for competition.[citation needed]The round race control tower at the north end still remains with its prominentMercedes-BenzandBoschsponsorship insignia. It is used as a (now closed) public restaurant and motel. The old wooden grandstand is protected as a historic monument.

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  • ADACReichsfahrt,1922
  • Caracciola (left) after winning the 1926 German Grand Prix
  • AVUS race, 1931
  • Start of the 1932 race, with Manfred von Brauchitsch in front
  • Streamlined Mercedes-Benz W25 Silver Arrow on the banking, 1937
  • 1955 race, two cars on the north banking
  • North end, view from theFunkturm
  • Motel with former control tower

Lap times

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The fastest official race lap records at AVUS are listed as:

Category Time Driver Vehicle Event
Grand Prix Circuit with Chicane: 2.660 km (1994–1998)[13]
Class 1 Touring Cars 0:53.440[14] Stefano Modena Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI 1994 AVUS DTM round
Formula Three 0:54.100[15] Jörg Müller Dallara F394 1994 AVUS German F3 round
Super Touring 0:59.620[16] Roland Asch Ford Mondeo Ghia 1995 AVUS STW Cup round
Group B 1:00.240[17] Ralf Kelleners Porsche 911 (964) Carrera RSR 3.8 1994 Internationales ADAC Avus Rennen
Grand Prix Circuit: 2.639 km (1992–1993)[13][18]
Formula Three 0:54.920[19] Max Angelelli Dallara F393 1993 AVUS German F3 round
Class 1 Touring Cars 0:56.480[20] Nicola Larini Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI 1993 AVUS DTM round
Group A 0:57.020[21] Bernd Schneider Mercedes 190E 2.5-16 Evo2 1992 AVUS DTM round
Group B 1:02.510[22] Harald Grohs Porsche 911 (964) Carrera RSR 3.8 1993 Internationales ADAC-Avus-Rennen
Grand Prix Circuit: 4.879 km (1989–1991)[13][18]
Group A 1:30.050[23] Hans-Joachim Stuck Audi V8 Quattro 1991 AVUS DTM round
Formula Three 1:32.300[24] Meik Wagner Eufra 391 1991 AVUS German F3 round
Grand Prix Circuit: 8.109 km (1968–1988)[13][18]
Group C 2:02.130[25] Volkert Merl Porsche 956 1983 Int. ADAC-Avus-Rennen um den Großen Preis der BZ
Group 5 Special Production 2:03.400[26] Toine Hezemans Porsche 935/77A 1978 Internationales ADAC Mampe Avus-Rennen
Group 5 Sports Car 2:04.400[27] Derek Bell Alfa Romeo T/33/TT/12 1977 AVUS Interserie round
BMW M1 Procar 2:14.510[28] Jan Lammers BMW M1 Procar 1980 AVUS BMW M1 Procar round
Group B 2:16.170[29] Harald Grohs BMW M1 1983 Int. ADAC-Avus-Rennen um den Großen Preis der BZ
Sports 2000 2:19.120[30] Rolf Götz[de] Chevron B31 1984 Int. ADAC-Avus-Rennen um den Großen Preis der BZ
Group A 2:26.270[31] Armin Hahne Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth 1988 AVUS DTM round
Formula Three 2:26.340[32] Harald Brutschin[pl] Ralt RT3 1984 AVUS German F3 round
Grand Prix Circuit: 8.300 km (1951–1967)[13][18]
Formula One 2:04.500[33] Tony Brooks Ferrari Dino 246 1959 German Grand Prix
Group 4 2:13.500[34] Gerhard Koch[de] Porsche 906 1967 AVUS Grand Prix
Grand Prix Circuit: 19.291 km (1937–1939)[18]
GP 4:11.200[35] Bernd Rosemeyer Auto Union Type C 1937 Avusrennen
Original Grand Prix Circuit: 19.573 km (1921–1936)[18]
GP 4:32.000[36] Hans Stuck Auto Union Type B 1935 Avusrennen

See also

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References

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  1. ^hhttps:// stadtmuseum.de/en/article/the-avus
  2. ^Liesemeijer, Herman (2018-06-28)."AVUS Berlin: A most remarkable street circuit".Circuits of the past.Retrieved2024-11-13.
  3. ^"AVUS 100: EIN RASANTES JAHRHUNDERT - by Schulz Ulf, Wedemeyer Sven".gilena.it.Retrieved2024-11-13.
  4. ^"AVUS-Tribüne (Automobile Traffic and Practice Road)".Atlas Obscura.Retrieved2024-11-13.
  5. ^"Avus highway | German expressway | Britannica".britannica.Retrieved2024-11-13.
  6. ^Schütz, Erhard; Gruber, Eckhard (1996).Mythos Reichsautobahn: Bau und Inszenierung der 'Straßen des Führers' 1933–1941(in German). Berlin: Links. pp. 31–32.ISBN978-386153117-3.
  7. ^Kunze, Thomas; Stommer, Rainer (1982). "Geschichte der Reichsautobahn". In Stommer, Rainer; Philipp, Claudia Gabriele (eds.).Reichsautobahn: Pyramiden des Dritten Reichs. Analysen zur Ästhetik eines unbewältigten Mythos(in German). Marburg: Jonas. pp. 22–47.ISBN9783922561125.
  8. ^"Autobahn History - German-Autobahn.eu".german-autobahn.eu.Retrieved2024-11-13.
  9. ^"1937 Grand Prix Season – Part 2".The Golden Era of Grand Prix Racing.Archived fromthe originalon 2014-09-24.Retrieved2007-11-18.
  10. ^"Tracks-Germany".The Golden Era of Grand Prix Racing.Archived fromthe originalon 2020-11-08.Retrieved2007-11-18.
  11. ^"1986 Indianapolis 500". racing-reference.info. Racing Reference.
  12. ^Search Results
  13. ^abcde"AVUS - Racing Circuits".RacingCircuits.info.Retrieved23 August2022.
  14. ^"Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft 1994 » AVUS Round 16 Results".4 September 1994.Retrieved23 August2022.
  15. ^"1994 ADAC AVUS-Rennen 16.Lauf Deutsche Formel-3-Meisterschaft Ergebnis Rennen 2"(PDF).4 September 1994.Retrieved23 August2022.
  16. ^"STW Cup 1995 » AVUS Round 14 Results".10 September 1995.Retrieved23 August2022.
  17. ^"ADAC GT-Cup Avus 1994".1 May 1994.Retrieved15 December2022.
  18. ^abcdef"AVUS - Motor Sport Magazine".Motor Sport Magazine.Retrieved22 August2022.
  19. ^"1993 ADAC AVUS-Rennen 17.Lauf Deutsche Formel-3-Meisterschaft Ergebnis Rennen 1"(PDF).11 September 1993.Retrieved23 August2022.
  20. ^"Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft 1993 » AVUS Round 18 Results".12 September 1993.Retrieved23 August2022.
  21. ^"Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft 1992 » AVUS Round 8 Results".10 May 1992.Retrieved23 August2022.
  22. ^"ADAC GT-Cup Avus 1993".9 May 1993.Retrieved15 December2022.
  23. ^"Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft 1991 » AVUS Round 8 Results".5 May 1991.Retrieved23 August2022.
  24. ^"1991 ADAC AVUS-Rennen 4.Lauf Deutsche Formel-3-Meisterschaft Ergebnis Rennen"(PDF).5 May 1991.Retrieved23 August2022.
  25. ^"DRM Avus 1983".1 May 1983.Retrieved15 December2022.
  26. ^"DRM Avus 1978".21 May 1978.Retrieved15 December2022.
  27. ^"Interserie Avus 1977".22 May 1977.Retrieved15 December2022.
  28. ^"Procar Avus 1980".11 May 1980.Retrieved15 December2022.
  29. ^"Rennsport Trophäe Avus 1983".1 May 1983.Retrieved15 December2022.
  30. ^"Interserie Avus 1984".14 April 1984.Retrieved15 December2022.
  31. ^"Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft 1988 » AVUS Round 10 Results".29 May 1988.Retrieved23 August2022.
  32. ^"1984 ADAC AVUS-Rennen 3.Lauf Deutsche Formel-3-Meisterschaft Ergebnis Rennen"(PDF).13 May 1984.Retrieved23 August2022.
  33. ^"1959 German Grand Prix".Motor Sport Magazine.2 August 1959.Retrieved22 August2022.
  34. ^"GP Avus 1967".10 September 1967.Retrieved15 December2022.
  35. ^"1937 Avusrennen".Motor Sport Magazine.30 May 1937.Retrieved22 August2022.
  36. ^"1935 Avusrennen".Motor Sport Magazine.26 May 1935.Retrieved22 August2022.
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