Auto Union Typ C CMC M-034 aus Vorbesitz

On June 14th 1936, Auto Union sent its best driver Bernd Rosemeyer to compete in the famous Eifel race at the Nürburgring, piloting an Auto Union Type C with starting #18. This event became one of the most memorable fog-races at the Nürburgring.

The race consisted of 10 laps for a total distance of 228 km. From the very beginning, it was dominated by three prominent drivers of the time. Leading the way was Rudolf Caracciola in a Mercedes W25, followed by the veteran driver Tazio Nuvolari in an Alfa Romeo P3, and then Bernd Rosemeyer in a Type C. After the 3rd round Nuvolari surpassed Caracciola to take the lead. But Rosemeyer was catching up steadily. Following a shock absorber failure that forced Caracciola to retire, a thrilling duel for victory unfolded between Nuvolari and the daredevil Rosemeyer.

True to his nickname, Rosemeyer became an undisputed front-runner by the 7th round.  At a significant distance behind him was Nuvolari, running in the 2nd place. During the 8th round, however, something unforeseen happened. With the sudden descent of a heavy fog, the Nürburgring was enveloped in an impenetrable wall of mist. Visibility was reduced to less than 20 meters! And what did Rosemeyer do? This crazy guy kept going full speed ahead. With a seriously blurred vision, he had to rely on his route memory of the course, a 7th sense for orientation, and an undaunted spirit to win the race. A legend was born. Bernd Rosemeyer went down in racing history as the “Fog Master.” Auto Union was setting a new benchmark that put an end to the dominance of Mercedes Benz.