Books like this are not written because they make you rich. It must have been pure enthusiasm that drove Michael Schmitt to write this biography of Albert Pfuhl. And he certainly shared this enthusiasm with the Darmstadt racing driver, because he also raced because he loved it and not because he couldn't do anything else. It is therefore fitting that the introduction is followed by a short article by Rainer Braun, who reappraised Pfuhl's story under the title "Der Herrenfahrer".
Tinkerer at the wheel
The fact that he was able to prove himself at the wheel of the fastest racing cars of his time was not due to Albert Pfuhl's driving talent, but to his technical talent. Early on, he had managed to develop a cyclone that significantly improved paper production. He patented his work, but still had to work hard until the paper industry was convinced. He got into his Beetle himself to present the device in Germany, but also in Switzerland and Austria. To save money, he spent the night in his Volkswagen. In the end, he achieved his breakthrough, which also provided him with the funds for his motorsport activities.
Initially, he started out with two or occasionally three wheels, competing both off-road and on long-distance journeys on a motorcycle, a Heinkel scooter or in a team.
From the NSU Prinz to the Porsche 917
In 1961, Pfuhl got behind the wheel of an NSU Prinz to take part in hill climbs. This was followed by a Porsche Super 90 and then a Ferrari 250 GT SWB, which took fourth place at Le Mans in 1960. The first time he drove the Ferrari, he came third in the Krähbergrennen.
In addition to the Ferrari, he also repeatedly used Mercedes-Benz vehicles. He competed in hill climbs, but also on the circuit.
Then came the time of the prototypes, initiated in 1970 with a used Porsche Carrera 6 Pfuhl quickly moved up to the Porsche 908/02, only to buy a Porsche 917 Spyder a little later. He was featured in the Bild newspaper with this car when it caught fire in Hockenheim and Pfuhl chauffeured it to the Motodrom in front of the fire department.
Because the 917 Spyder had no chance against the faster 917/10, Pfuhl also bought one of these turbo monsters with around 1000 hp on twelve cylinders and five liters of displacement.
Schmitt recounts all this in detail, chapter by chapter, and it makes for exciting and informative reading.
And then there are the rallies
Pfuhl had already learned to love rally events from his motorcycle days. He therefore also took part in major rallies on four wheels, e.g. the Tour de Europa in 1965. He usually competed in Mercedes, occasionally also in Opel. He also competed with interesting partners, for example with Jochen Mass in the Paris-Dakar Rally in 1983. Eventually it was time.
An eye disease (macula) ultimately made further racing commitments impossible.
The fact that this whole story can be told so comprehensively is thanks to Michael Schmitt's tireless hunger for information, who also proceeded in a sufficiently structured manner to create a coherent sequence from the many anecdotes and photos.
Photos from the treasure trove of images
What makes the book a treasure is not least the selection of pictures that Schmitt has put together. Some of the pictures came from Pfuhl's photo albums, but his co-drivers and companions also helped out, and well-known photographers such as Seufert, Heere and Fausel also opened their archives.
And there are guaranteed to be many photos that have hardly been seen anywhere else and that shed light on all facets of Pfuhl's passion for racing, as well as providing an insight into the life of an amateur racing driver who also keeps wild cats as pets.
The fact that the layout does not look like a stylish coffee-table book and that the reproduction quality is not at art print level does not detract from the book's appeal. It is simply fun to leaf through this book, or even better, to read it.
Certainly not just for Pfuhl fans
There have been racing drivers like Albert Pfuhl in all eras, but only a few of them managed to compete in so many racing categories from two to four wheels in their active careers, even attempting Formula 1 once. But the book is more than Pfuhl's racing career, it is also a character study of racing in the sixties and seventies, as it actually took place. There are also many rare photos that will delight many a Porsche or Mercedes-Benz fan, and all this for just EUR 25.00, so you really can't complain. So buy it.
Bibliographical details
- Title: My freedom to the sound of engines - The sporting life story of Darmstadt racing driver Albert Pfuhl
- Author: Michael Schmitt
- Language: German
- Publisher: Self-published
- Edition: 1st edition 2017
- Format: Hardcover, 21 x 24 cm
- Scope: 144 pages, 205 color and black and white photos
- ISBN: 978-3-96049-023-4
- Price: EUR 25.00 (+ shipping)
- Buy/order: Via email from the author or by writing to Michael Schmitt, Beerfelden, Friedhofsweg 4, D-64760 Oberzent (phone +49 (0) 6068 33 71
