~~ POST No. 500 ~~
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Stuttgart/Dieppe, Jul 07, 2008
The Mercedes drivers
Christian Lautenschlager
Born on April 13, 1877, in Magstadt, not far from Stuttgart. He became a mechanic and, after completing his apprenticeship, worked at various factories in Germany and other countries. In 1899 he came to Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft as a mechanic. In 1905 he went to the racing department as foreman. His two victories in the 1908 and 1914 Grand Prix make Lautenschlager one of the all-time greats of international motor racing. He passed away on January 3, 1954, in Fellbach near Stuttgart.
Born on April 13, 1877, in Magstadt, not far from Stuttgart. He became a mechanic and, after completing his apprenticeship, worked at various factories in Germany and other countries. In 1899 he came to Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft as a mechanic. In 1905 he went to the racing department as foreman. His two victories in the 1908 and 1914 Grand Prix make Lautenschlager one of the all-time greats of international motor racing. He passed away on January 3, 1954, in Fellbach near Stuttgart.
Willy Pöge
Born on December 2, 1869, in Chemnitz. Industrialist (electrical engineering) and enthusiastic automobilist. Winner of many races and competitions. In 1911 he turned to aviation. Pöge died on May 12, 1914, of a heart disease.
Born on December 2, 1869, in Chemnitz. Industrialist (electrical engineering) and enthusiastic automobilist. Winner of many races and competitions. In 1911 he turned to aviation. Pöge died on May 12, 1914, of a heart disease.
Otto Salzer
Born on April 4, 1874, in Möglingen, Württemberg. Joined Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft on October 5, 1896 as a fitter. On January 1, 1900, he became foreman in racecar and passenger car production. As early as 1898 he took part in an eight-day long-distance run in Vienna, competing in a Daimler truck against horses. All horse-and-cart combinations retired from the competition after the fourth day, Salzer being the only person to reach the finish line. From 1906 onwards he also worked as a racecar driver and ranks among the most outstanding Mercedes drivers of the old school. Salzer passed away on January 7, 1944, in Obertürkheim.
Born on April 4, 1874, in Möglingen, Württemberg. Joined Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft on October 5, 1896 as a fitter. On January 1, 1900, he became foreman in racecar and passenger car production. As early as 1898 he took part in an eight-day long-distance run in Vienna, competing in a Daimler truck against horses. All horse-and-cart combinations retired from the competition after the fourth day, Salzer being the only person to reach the finish line. From 1906 onwards he also worked as a racecar driver and ranks among the most outstanding Mercedes drivers of the old school. Salzer passed away on January 7, 1944, in Obertürkheim.
The Benz drivers
Victor Hémery
Born on November 18, 1876, in Le Mans, France. Trained mechanic. From 1895 to 1900 he worked as a technician for Léon Bollée. 1900 to 1906, head of the testing department and experienced racing driver with Darracq. In 1907 he was engaged as a racecar driver by Benz & Cie. Complete impoverished, Hémery committed suicide on September 8, 1950 at the age of 74.
Born on November 18, 1876, in Le Mans, France. Trained mechanic. From 1895 to 1900 he worked as a technician for Léon Bollée. 1900 to 1906, head of the testing department and experienced racing driver with Darracq. In 1907 he was engaged as a racecar driver by Benz & Cie. Complete impoverished, Hémery committed suicide on September 8, 1950 at the age of 74.
René Hanriot
Born in 1867 in Vaite (Haute-Saône), France. Originally a champagne producer, later on a racing driver for Darracq and others. In 1907 and 1908 he drove for Benz & Cie.
Born in 1867 in Vaite (Haute-Saône), France. Originally a champagne producer, later on a racing driver for Darracq and others. In 1907 and 1908 he drove for Benz & Cie.
Fritz Erle
Born on November 12, 1875, in Mannheim. Came to Benz & Cie. as a trained fitter on March 5, 1894. Together with Eugen Benz he took part in his first race in 1896: Paris – Marseille – Paris. After attending the Ilmenau college of technology in Thuringia, Erle passed the engineer's exam there. After rejoining Benz & Cie. he worked as a design engineer and in 1900 developed the first vertical four-cylinder engine. In 1904 he took over the management of automobile production together with Richard Benz, along with the testing department. Erle became head of the racing department in 1907, but he continued to personally compete in races as a driver. During the First World War from 1914 to 1918 Erle worked as plant manager for Benz & Cie. At war's end, as signing clerk he took over the management of the repair shop in Berlin, filling this position until his retirement in 1935. Erle died on November 20, 1957.
Born on November 12, 1875, in Mannheim. Came to Benz & Cie. as a trained fitter on March 5, 1894. Together with Eugen Benz he took part in his first race in 1896: Paris – Marseille – Paris. After attending the Ilmenau college of technology in Thuringia, Erle passed the engineer's exam there. After rejoining Benz & Cie. he worked as a design engineer and in 1900 developed the first vertical four-cylinder engine. In 1904 he took over the management of automobile production together with Richard Benz, along with the testing department. Erle became head of the racing department in 1907, but he continued to personally compete in races as a driver. During the First World War from 1914 to 1918 Erle worked as plant manager for Benz & Cie. At war's end, as signing clerk he took over the management of the repair shop in Berlin, filling this position until his retirement in 1935. Erle died on November 20, 1957.
~~ POST No. 500 ~~Copyright © 2008, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
