Auto Union Lucca Driving Video

Since successes in motorsport must be constantly reaffirmed, the racing department in Zwickau immediately analyzed the data gathered in Lucca, further developing and optimizing the vehicle. Just a few months after the record in Italy, the Lucca car, which had been modified in the meantime, made its next appearance, this time accompanied by its Berlin sibling: On May 26, 1935, the fifth international Avus race took place in Berlin. As it was a non-Formula 1 race and therefore the 750 kg weight limit did not apply, Auto Union fielded not only two Grand Prix cars but also two heavier racing sedans; the starting weight (including driver) was documented as 1,030 kg. Hans Stuck and the Italian Achille Varzi drove the Grand Prix cars, while the driver of the former Lucca car with starting number #3 was Prince Hermann zu Leiningen; he had been part of the Auto Union team since the beginning of 1934. Newly signed junior driver Bernd Rosemeyer, who joined the team for the 1935 season, drove the second racing limousine, number 4 – it had been on display at the Berlin trade fair and was fitted with a larger radiator grille for the Avus race. Rosemeyer reached an impressive 290 km/h in practice and therefore started the first heat alongside Stuck on the front row.