Hans Werner Aufrecht, an important figure in German motorsport, is celebrating his 75th birthday today, December 28th.
Aufrecht was unlucky enough to join Mercedes-Benz as the company pulled out of motorsport, in the late 1950s. So he started working on a secret project with his friend Erhard Melcher, over which the two men risked their jobs.
If the Mercedes 300 SE racer they were building proved fast, a board member promised them they could race it. If it proved slow, they would have to leave the famous car manufacturer.
The car in question turned out good. So good Aufrecht and Melcher began earning a living from their tuning skills through their humble company called AMG, which went on to become Mercedes’ official tuner.
Aufrecht also played a key role in the development of the Deutsches Tourenwagen Meisterschaft, the German DTM championship.
In 2000, he was awarded Germany’s Order of Merit for special social commitments.
Now a pensioner, he enjoys spending time with his family.
Aufrecht was unlucky enough to join Mercedes-Benz as the company pulled out of motorsport, in the late 1950s. So he started working on a secret project with his friend Erhard Melcher, over which the two men risked their jobs.
If the Mercedes 300 SE racer they were building proved fast, a board member promised them they could race it. If it proved slow, they would have to leave the famous car manufacturer.
The car in question turned out good. So good Aufrecht and Melcher began earning a living from their tuning skills through their humble company called AMG, which went on to become Mercedes’ official tuner.
Aufrecht also played a key role in the development of the Deutsches Tourenwagen Meisterschaft, the German DTM championship.
In 2000, he was awarded Germany’s Order of Merit for special social commitments.
Now a pensioner, he enjoys spending time with his family.
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| Despite his age, Hans Werner Aufrecht can still ride a bicycle (Photo: DTM) |