[Vitesse]

This any use? Or did you know all this already?

Heinz Brendel (D)
16 Jan 1915 -
Supported by his father, who also was a racing driver, Brendel started racing at an age of 17. In 1935, he started in his first major race, the Eifelrennen, finishing second in the 1.1-liter sports car class. More victories came with a 1.1 litre Fiat in local events before Brendel was invited to the Mercedes "driver school" at the Nürburgring. There he crashed a W25 GP car, suffering minor injuries while the car started burning. For 1937, Neubauer selected him to join in the tests at Monza and he signed for the team as a reserve driver. Tested the Mercedes-Benz W125 during practice for the German GP 1937. Entered the German GP 1939 as fourth driver. He made a sensational practice session and started 5th on the grid. During the race he was asked to come in to give over the car to Lang but instead he continued and crashed. When he phoned for someone to pick him up, Neubauer replied that Brendel could start walking. That proved to be the only race of his GP career. Shortly after the race during a training session at Nürburgring, the saddle tank caught fire at Döttinger Höhe. Brendel just had enough time to steer into the low bushes and jump from the moving car, waking up the next day at hospital. He was nominated as reserve driver for the Swiss GP. After the war, Brendel raced an 1.1 litre Porsche.

http://www.kolumbus.fi/leif.snellman/db.htm

Best place to ask might be here: I'm sure "Uechtel" and "McRonalds" will know something. How's your German?

http://www.f1welt.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=7