These days, politics are completely absent from Grand Prix racing. Yet, 54 years ago, one man allowed his people to celebrate a resounding victory and, through the power of sport, sent a poignant message. This is the story of a Grand Prix that went down in history.
As we celebrate the release of Continental Circus, the year is going well. Before the mid-season, there was no more suspense in the 500cc class, as in the 350cc class, where Agostini crushed the competition on his MV Agusta. In the 250cc class, Phil Read, on a Yamaha, also dominates head and shoulders. From then on, the world championship goes to the Sachsenring for the East German Grand Prix. Indeed, The old country had two races per year, on either side of the wall built in 1961.
A completely different era. This is Assen 1969. Photo: ANEFO
From the tests, the weekend is marred by a tragic loss. Günter Bartusch, on an MZ, was killed in the 350cc class. The races were maintained, and Ángel Nieto achieved a 50cc/125cc double, which he had the secret to. Then came the 250cc race, which remained a special episode. In truth, the big favorites were still the same: Read and Rodney Gould. But a German, Dieter Braun, the 125 1970cc world champion, had a strong desire for revenge. Also on a Yamaha, he was now concentrating on the quarter-liter class after his title, but struggled to compete with the two British riders. As an outsider, he patiently bided his time. The Bavarian is licensed by West Germany, so he is not welcome at the Sachsenring.
You should know that this GDR Grand Prix did not really like to see the drivers on the other side of the Iron Curtain win. Besides, sidecars weren't allowed there because of the outrageous domination of the West Germans. But Dieter doesn't care. Although he hasn't won a single race this season, he's on the same pace as Gould and Read. Starting from further back, he's closing in fast... to the cheers of the crowd! The fans chant his name, and the organizers are fuming. In any case, the Deutschlandlied, the German anthem, is forbidden east of the wall. For obvious reasons, We can't let Dieter win.
Dieter Braun, too often underrated these days.
The circuit directors require an unjustified black flag against Braun, who takes an option on victory. But the hero of this day is not on the track. Hans Zacharias, race director, refuses to eliminate Dieter from the competition in view of the public's enthusiasm.. And of course, it finally prevails. What do we do? Do we play the anthem of the "people opposite," which is actually... the same? We wait, we mark time, and finally, we play an orchestral version with the loudspeakers disconnected. Futile symbolic political decisions are no stronger than 150 Germans, all legitimate. The spectators start singing " Deutschland über alles " in unison for Dieter. A moment suspended in time.
The consequences of Braun's heroic performance at home were immense. The forgotten Hans Zacharias was never seen again in charge of a race. Worse, the competitors from the 1972 East German Grand Prix were invited to avoid similar chaos; What's the point of continuing like this? As a result, the event was removed from the calendar the following year, and it was necessary to wait 1998 to see the Sachsenring back on the program Grand Prix.
Did you know this unusual story? Tell us in the comments!
Dieter Braun behind Renzo Pasolini, another great driver forgotten by the general public.
