Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

class. In Koln, Herz crashed and broke an arm. Heiner Fleischmann became German champion in the 350cc class. He fought on against the BMWs in the500ccclass and won five races. But already at the second race something happened that could have ruined the careers of the two top riders from NSU and BMW. It was at Hockenheim. Fleischmann had won the 350cc class and already from the start in the 500cc race he positioned himself at the rear wheel of Meier's machine. At this time SU had 98 hp against BMW's 55, which. on the other hand was much lighter and had better-handling. The strategy for NSU was to chase the BMW and then take the lead before the finish. The enormous acceleration was the main problem-a mule kick, in Fleischmann's words-and both factories experimented with di££erent throttle needles to make the transition softer. What power there was, was not always under control of the rider. The accident occurred after 13laps. Meier tried to force a tempo which would send the thirsty NSU in for refueling. Fleischmann knew this but but couldn't afford to lose contact with Meier. It was never fully explained but suddenly Meier's machine lost its grip, the cylinder cut into the ground and Fleischmann hit him midships. Both machines were thrown into the spectators, who at that time sat with their feet on the painted white line. Meier was unburt, but Fleischmann ended up in the hospital and several spectators were killed. Motor racing drew huge crowds in those days and as an example, the N urburgring races attracted 300,000 in 1950. A motorcycle thrown uncontrollably into such a crowd obviously did much damage. In the meantime, Herz had had his arm operated on and found he couldn't move it. The doctors in Cologne thought that his racing days were over and had therefore "sti££" operate9 on it. He went to another hospital and had it put right and then had to persuade the NSU directors that he by no means could be pensioned o££. He practiced hard and then put in several quick laps at Hockenheim under the scrutinizing eyes of NSV brass. Yes, he could continuebuthewas38 years old and the engine was not the ideal powerplant should SU decide to contest international races. Herz had in his contract a clause which gave him first choice should NSV want to break speed records. Choice of engines was no problemthe 350 and 500 in new chassis, all covered in a cigar-shaped fonn. On the morning of April 12, 1951, Herz thundered through the timing lights on the Autobahn between Ingolstadt and Munich at 293.638 kph (182.055 mph). The tachometer cable brok~ and for the return run he had to trust his ear. The new record went into the books as 290 kpm. The question was, could the 300 kph barrier be broken? Herz went back to a steady job of developing the new 250cc GP racers which were to cause such a furor a' few years later as they beat down all opposition and in an act of goodwill S V had to dra w them back from the GP circuit. In July of 1955 the record was - beaten, with a posted speed of 297.7 kph, although the first round had produced 301.138 kph. The barrier was broken! The load transported to Vtah's QUE r..o 00 O"l Wilhelm Hen (right) and H.P. Muller stand with two NSU streamliners at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 19~6. Bonneville Salt Flats at the end of July in 1956 weighed almost two tons. NSV had constructed a new typeofstreamliner with the riderIaying on his back. In the 50cc class the new record was 121. 7 mph, and that from an engine producing no more than 10 hpi For the longer distances the performance of the I25cc engine was enough to break all class records plus some in the 350cc c1as . Flying kilometer and mile runs plus the five kilometer and mile distances used the 359cc engine. The total land speed record for motorcycles was of course set during this hectic week. On the- £lying mile, Wilhelm Herz posted 21 I mph. And then he retired? Panly.ln the beginning of the '50s, he opened a car agency in Ludwigshafen. in 1956 he built a stream- lined something or other with four wheels and his beloved engine. Nothing milch came of that, but he still has it. Plus the original streamliner, and two or three racers, one of them the restored racer from 1938. He is 73 today and still active as technical consultant for the Hockenheimring, and has an active part in Vintage class racing but lets one of his two sons do most oj the riding. The son is also chairman of the Two Wheel Veteran Organization of Germany. It seems he was from a very early age infJuenced by his father. And no wonder. The kind of per onality who goes through a war and imprisonment and then practically with his own hands digs a motorcycle out of the ground and tart setting speed records with it is nota bad example to follow. For anybody. • G HERoES. Dunlop Team Legend On the tracks, in the mud. through the woods, on pavement, and across the desert, they came, they rode, they conquered. Throughout 1985, wherever there were checkered flags to be won. the men of learn Legend were there... going for the glory on Dunlop tires. TheY demand Dtmlop performance, because when they charge into battle... nothing can be left to chance. AMA Pro Motocross • Stadium Supercross Championship/Jeff Ward - Kawasaki • I25cc National Championship/Ron Lechien - Honda • 250cc National Championship/Jeff Ward - Kawasaki • 500cc National Championship/Broc Glover - Yamaha FIM • 250cc World Championship/Heinz Kinigadner - KTM • "Rodil Cup" Stadium Supercross Series / Jim Holley - Yamaha Off Road • AMA National Hare Scrambles/John Martin - Can-AM • S.C.O.R.E.lH.D.R.A. Desert Series and Baja 1000 winners/ Randy Morales, Derrick Paiement - Honda } AMA Camel Pro Series .... Race • Superbike National CharnpionshiplFred Merkel- Honda • Formula 1125Occ/Don Greene - Honda • B.O.T.T. GP OassiGene Church - Harley-Davidson • B.O.T.T. Heavyweight CIassIDave McOure - Harley-Davidson A.F.M• • Kerker Superbike Serics/TIID Vreeke - Yamaha • Overall HllWa1ter N'Itto - 'l3maha&Kawasaki A.R.R.A. • Overall HIIEarI Roloff - Kawasaki EndllJ'UCe . . . . Race • W.E.R.A. National Seriesl1earn Cycle 'Thcb - Suzuki John Kocinski, .Joey Osowski & David Aldana Hail The Conquering Heroes of 1985. ©, 985 Dunlop TIre Cofporation 13

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