Herkomer competition
The Herkomer competitions were in German lands driven touring cars - rallies , initiated in 1905 by progressive enthusiastic painter, great artist and motorists Hubert von Herkomer . This makes the Herkomer competition the oldest touring car rally in the world. The race was designed as a reliability test. They made a significant contribution to popularizing the “young” automobile in Germany.
This reliability test was also carried out in 1906 and 1907 on an annually extended route, and in the process experienced a public interest that is comparable to that of today's Formula 1 .
prehistory
In 1902 Selwyn Francis Edge won the Gordon Bennett Cup from Paris to Innsbruck for Great Britain, whereupon the country was allowed and should host the next race according to the regulations. However, since the English law forbade "dangerous" speeds of more than 12 mph (18 km / h) at that time and no special permit was granted for the race, it was necessary to relocate the venue: One of Herkomer's customers, the motorsport enthusiast Earl of Dudley , British Governor General of Ireland, organized it in his area of responsibility, namely at Ballyshannon .
Hubert von Herkomer was among those invited, was fascinated and wanted to have something like this held in his original home country. However, the 1903 race was won by Belgian Camille Jenatzy in a 60 HP DMG from Cannstatt (i.e. a Mercedes), which made Germany the venue in 1904. Accordingly, the earliest reasonable time for a similar event was 1905.
Herkomer himself designed the 40 kg winner's trophy out of sterling silver and gave the winner one of the portraits that were coveted at the time from his hand. Not least because of his personal commitment, participants from important circles of the high and the money nobility came: for example, Prince Heinrich of Prussia (the emperor's brother), Duke Ludwig in Bavaria , Princess of Isenburg (gold plaque 1907) Duke von Arenberg, Prince Josef von Battenberg, the Duke von Bojano and Lord Montague of Beaulieu . Furthermore, for example August Horch , Karl Fichtel , Ernst Sachs , Ernst Büssing, Edgar Ladenburg, Heinrich Opel or Vincenzo Lancia .
The trophy is still considered the most valuable private automobile award in the world today. In his autobiographies, which are written in English, the artist does not mention the Herkomer competition.
The first race, 1905
The race was organized by the Bavarian Automobile Club , but the initiator and sponsor exerted considerable influence on the regulations. Together with the President of the BAC, Herkomer drafted the regulations. At least four comfortable seats with backrests, a bonnet, fenders, lighting, rain protection, tools and storage space for luggage were required. The aim was “to develop a practical and reliable touring car that would be affordable for a large number of people.” Violations of the rules were assessed by inspectors who were in every vehicle - punctures also resulted in penalty points.
This race was held over a distance of 937.1 km and had 91 participants.
1906
159 participants, 1700 km on the route Frankfurt - Munich - Linz - Vienna - Klagenfurt - Innsbruck - Munich (Forstenrieder Park - then on the outskirts), from June 6th to 12th, in six stages. The winner was Dr. Rudolf Stöss on a Horch 18/20 .
1907
The third and last real Herkomer competition took place over 1818.7 km and had 161 participants. It was the world's most demanding long ride. Mileage, mountain and speed tests were introduced as special spectator attractions.
The overall winner of all three competitions was Edgar Ladenburg from Munich , son of a banker. His portrait of the winner hangs today in the Herkomer Museum in Landsberg.
21st century
The idea of a vintage car rally in the area around the Ammersee under this name was first realized in 1997. The competition is held every two years, with the exception of 2006, when an event was postponed due to the Centennium anniversary. Vehicles built up to 1930 are permitted . Herkomer competition is now a registered trademark.
See also
Web links
- http://www.ammersee-region.de/gs-8.html
- History of the Herkomer competition
- Herkomer competition 1905 La Vie au grand air , August 27, 1905, pages 708–709.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e website Ammerseeregion
- ↑ (does not match the information currently available in deWP. According to WP Governor of Australia, where the driver came from)
- ↑ a b c d e 100 years ... ( Memento from July 17, 2013 in the Internet Archive )
- ^ Website Alter Wirt, Forstenried ( Memento of February 4, 2005 in the Internet Archive )