Ancient Audi revisits historic hillclimb
Shelsley Walsh to see 5.3l V16 Auto Union C-Type
Auto Union 5.3-litre V16 C-Type
Auto Union, which became Audi, and the Worcestershire hill climb venue are inextricably linked after Hans Stück Senior raced up the hill climb almost 70 years ago (6 June, 1936) as part of the prestigious European Hill Climb Championship.
Stück, crowned the "Bergmeister" ("King of the Hill"), drove a special 5.3-litre "lightweight" hill climb version of the V16 Grand Prix Auto Union C-Type at the invitation of the organising Midland Automobile Club.
Auto Union won 18 out of 23 European mountain climbs between 1934-39 and compared to those mighty courses which varied between 4-13 miles long, Shelsley was nothing more than a 1,100-yard uphill "squirt". These were the Grand Prix cars of their time.
In practice, Shelsley’s 10-foot wide farm track shuddered beneath the European Hill Climb champion’s Auto Union as its ear-splitting 520-horsepower, six-litre engine punched through the short-wheelbase Bergwagen’s twin-rim rear wheels to rocket him to the summit.
The event itself was virtually washed out by heavy rain and Stück, who had driven over from his native Austria in a Horch coupé, had to settle for a tail-wagging fifth place (45.2secs) despite using only second gear throughout his run to lessen wheel-spin.
Tens of thousands of spectators filled the hillsides around Shelsley that weekend and another large crowd is expected next weekend.
An original 1939 Auto Union V12 'D' Type Grand Prix racing car, prepared by restoration specialists, Hall and Hall, will run at Shelsley as part of the celebrations.
Shelsley Walsh’s Centenary meeting is over three days. Friday is a practice day, Saturday (20 Aug) is a round of the British Hill Climb Championship, whilst Sunday is sees cars dating from the very first meeting in 1905.
Pity Audi doesn't make cars that exciting any more though...
I, rather stupidly, am getting married on this weekend and I`m gutted that I can`t go!
If it's anything like the MAC100, it will be brilliant.
There's a full entry list on the Shelsley Walsh web site.
I can't wait!
Auto Union was formed in the 1930s when four companies got together, DKW, Horch, Audi and Wanderer - that's where the four rings come from.
In the 1920s, Mr Horch had already left the original company he set up under his name company and established a rival company called Audi (Horch means "hear" in German and Audi means "hear" in Latin).
Although Auto Union raced under the group name, they still produced road cars under the separate brand names. After WW2, DKW ended up in East Germany so the remaining three brands were amalganmated under the Audi title. Later on, Audi bought NSU and then themselves became part of the VW group.
DKW continued to produce cars in East Germany but rejoined the Audi/Auto Union fold after reunification in 1989.
The D type this year is indeed one of the two that were exported from Russia 15 years ago and is currently, I believe, owned by a UK based collector.
Austin is indeed in Ulster spec` and great fun it is too (there is no greater sensation of speed than an A7 in full flight!). Unfortunately it`s currently in component form so will post pictures when it`s looking a little bit more respectable!.
I would heartily recommend getting one - you can compete in one almost every weekend of the year if you so wish and they remain remarkably cheap. Oddly, looking at your profile I`m currently strongly considering a Caterham...
ettore said:
L100NY,
Austin is indeed in Ulster spec` and great fun it is too (there is no greater sensation of speed than an A7 in full flight!). Unfortunately it`s currently in component form so will post pictures when it`s looking a little bit more respectable!.
I would heartily recommend getting one - you can compete in one almost every weekend of the year if you so wish and they remain remarkably cheap. Oddly, looking at your profile I`m currently strongly considering a Caterham...
Thoroughly recommend a Caterham too, I will get an R400/500 again next year once I get my flat situation sorted out as I've yet to drive any car that was soooo much fun on the road and track. Although I am really pleased with the Elise that I've bought as a 'stopgap'.
Without being too personal, what sort of price is an Ulster at the moment? Thoroughly enjoyed watching them over the years at various VSCC meetings (incl Prescott the other week).
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