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The short and highly acclaimed racing career of Ernes Merck

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Created on July 23, 2013

Reading time 3min

Written by:

Bernhard Brägger

Photos:

Archiv Daimler AG

12

Archiv Bernhard Brägger

4

Archiv Daimler AG

12

Archiv Bernhard Brägger

4

Ernes Merck, jung, männerbetörend, erfolgreich

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Mercedes Benz Typ S (1927) - Ernes Merck kurz vor den Kehren der Vorfrutt - am Klausen 1927 fährt sie das beste Rennen ihrer kurzen Karriere

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Am Klausenpassrennen 1927 von links nach rechts - Ernes Merck, Adolf Rosenberger, Rudolf Caracciola und „Charly“ Caracciola

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Mercedes Benz 6,7 Litre S (1928) - Ernes Merck und ihr 6,7-Liter Mercedes S

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Werbeanzeige Daimler-Benz AG - Motiv - Frau in Rot und Mercedes-Benz 26/120/180 PS Typ S - Agentur - Offelsmeyer Cucuel - erschienen in "Elegante Welt", Nr. 18, 1928

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Mercedes Benz Typ S mit Kompressor (1927) - Kompressorwagen mit geschlossenem Dach

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Mercedes Benz Typ S mit Kompressor (1927) - mächtiger PS-Riese aus den Zwanzigerjahren

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Mercedes Benz Typ S (1926) - 26/120/180 PS - Sport-Viersitzer

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Mercedes Benz Typ S (1926) - der Typ S wurde von 1926 bis 1930 gebaut, 146 Einheiten wurden hergestellt

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Mercedes Benz Typ S (1927) - 146 Einheiten werden gebaut, einige werden erst 1930 verkauft

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Mercedes Benz Typ S (1927) - Sport-Viersitzer Typ S 26/120/-180 PS auf der internationalen Automobilausstellung in London Olympia

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Mercedes Benz Typ S (1927) - Tourenwagen mit 26/120/180 PS

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Mercedes Benz Typ S (1928) - Ralph de Palma gewann auf dem Typ S iam 30. Mai 1928 zwei Rennen in Atlantic City bey New York

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Mercedes Benz Typ S (1927) - legendärer Hochleistungsportwagen - schon beim Eröffnungsrennen siegt Caracciola mit dem brüllenden Kompressor-Mercedes mit rund 220 PS

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Mercedes Benz SSK (1928) - die Sportversion mit noch mehr Sportlichkeit war damals das Mass der Dinge

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Mercedes Benz 680 Modell S (1927) - Interieur der Version mit 26/120/180 PS

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Summary

In the 1920s and early 1930s, the list of courageous women who wanted to compete with male racing drivers in the wake of emancipation is long. The modern, successful, fun-loving woman wanted to free herself from the shackles of many taboos. They have a hard life, the first female racing drivers. They are often more ostracized than celebrated. One of these heroines is Ernes Merck, born Rogalia von Bieberstein. She only took part in a few races and her successes were few and far between. But at Klausen in 1927, she surpassed herself and almost endangered the legendary Caracciola, at least that's how the media saw it at the time. This third article in the "Five Women" series tells the (short) life story of Ernes Merck. It is illustrated with historical pictures and photographs of the Mercedes Benz Type S.

This article contains the following chapters

The passion of her husband Wilhelm Merck
Places of honor
A constant topic of conversation in the racing scene at the time
Success at the Klausen
Posthumous appreciation

Estimated reading time: 3min

Preview (beginning of the article)

"Shocked, we stand at the bier of this rare woman and remember our dear comrade who left us just as suddenly as her extraordinary mental agility influenced the decisions of her life. Many admired her amazing energy and stamina, her high sporting achievements and felt her refreshing vitality. Few knew her fully". The racing driver Richard Schultze-Steprath dedicated these words to his racing colleague Ernes Merck in his obituary. Who is Ernes Merck from Darmstadt? Ernesta,Vera (Ernes) comes from the East Prussian noble family of Rogalla von Bieberstein. Born on July 2, 1898 in Pomerania, she married Wilhelm Merck, manufacturer and partner in the pharmaceutical-chemical factory E. Merck, when she was twenty. His passion for heavy, fast cars was soon passed on to his wife.

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