Info für Besucher ohne Javascript

Premium

Two strong guys - Jochen Neerpasch/Michael Kranefuss and their completely contrasting leadership

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created in 2015

Reading time 31min

Written by:

Rainer Braun

Photos:

Hallo Fahrerlager

23

Hallo Fahrerlager

23

Ford-Schritte - Capri-RS-Pilot Stuck mit Kranefuss beim Eifelrennen 1972 am Nürburgring.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Drei Wichtige - Neerpasch, Bovensiepen und Kranefuss 1973 bei der Tourenwagen-EM in Zandvoort

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mike und Heyer 2006

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

40 Jahre zurück - Kranefuss im Rennfahrer-Outfit.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Braves Bubengesicht - Jochen Neerpasch 1968

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Fragestunde - Ford-Sportchef Neerpasch steht Reporter Braun zum Amtsantritt 1968 Rede und Antwort.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Pfeifenmann - Der rauchende Tabakkocher ist ständiger Begleiter im Leben des Ford-Rennchefs.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Platz an der Sonne - Ex-Sportmanager Neerpasch geniesst seinen Ruhestand am schönen Bodensee

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Weiche Landung - Mit seinem Ford GT 40 strandet Neerpasch 1967 in den Strohballen von Zeltweg.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Geheimsitzung - Die Herren Kranefuss (Ford), Emde (Bilstein) und Neerpasch (BMW) machen Sportpolitik.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Zahltag - Ein Sack voll Geld, ist es das Resultat einer zünftigen Pokerrunde?

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Big Jump - Formel-2-Junior Marc Surer hechtet 1979 im March-BMW über einen Sprunghügel am Nürburgring.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Kontaktaufnahme - BMW-Rennleiter Jochen Neerpasch verhandelt mit vielen Top-Leuten, darunter auch Toine Hezemans (links) und Le-Mans-Sieger Gijs van Lennep.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Rückstand - Der Chef persöndlich signalisiert Capri-RS-Chauffeur Dieter Glemser beim EM-Lauf 1970 in Zandvoort den Rückstand auf die Spitze.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Grosses Kino - Faszinierende Duelle liefern sich die EM-Rivalen Ford und BMW über die gesamte Saison 1972.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Höhenflug - Nach erfolgreichen Ford-Jahren in Köln wird Kranefuss erst zum Europa-Sportchef und später sogar zum Welt-Direktor befördert.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Geniestreich - Für den Tourenwagen-GP am Ring verpflichtet Kranefuss 1973 die FI-Weltmeister Stewart und Fittipaldi für einen gemeinsamen Capri-RS-Start.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Nix zu Lachen - Übellaunig erscheint Niki Lauda 1974 nach einem Ausfall im Capri RS an der Ford-Box.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Heisser Ritt - Mit dem bulligen AC Cobra V8 ist Neerpasch auf der Nürburgring-Nordschleife eine Klasse für sich.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Hobby-Racer - Im Fiat-Abarth 1000 TCR hat Kranefuss vor seiner Ford-Zeit Spass und Erfolg auf der Rennstrecke.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Erfolgsgemeinschaft - Kranefuss 1978 mit Zakspeed-Chef Erich Zakowski und Berater Dieter Glemser am neuen Turbo Capri. Zak-Sohn Peter, 11 Jahre, lauscht andächtig.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Grandiose Idee - Mit Max Mosley und Bernie Ecclestone handelt Neerpasch 1979 den Auftritt der Procar-Serie mit identischen 500-PS-MI im Rahmenprogramm der europäischen Formel-I-Rennen aus.

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Premiere in Zolder: Die M1-Procar-Serie startet 1979 in ihre erste Saison.

You have only

1 out of 23

images seen in high resolution

Summary

August 1973, German Racing Championship (DRM) in Hockenheim, BMW versus Ford. Or vice versa. In the evening after the training day, people meet at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Walldorf, where most of them have been staying for years. This is the scenario in the lobby: BMW Head of Sport Jochen Neerpasch, 34, leans his head on the table, looking serious as he pores over training and strategy papers. His driver Harald Menzel in the CSL Coupe is in pole position, just ahead of Hans Heyer's works Capri RS. Technicians, drivers and employees sit or stand around Neerpasch. If you want to elicit a smile from the boss, you have to make a real effort. The atmosphere is serious, even though music and laughter can be heard from the bar next door. At around 11 p.m., the BMW race director breaks up the meeting and, without risking a sideways glance at the bar, takes a measured step to his room.

This article contains the following chapters

Never without my pipe
Two friends take off
Shock is followed by defiance
Neerpasch: All the freedom at BMW
The shattered Formula 1 dream
A new attempt at Mercedes
Another flop at the end
Kranefuss: Growing with the task
Off to Detroit
The wild Cologne years

Estimated reading time: 31min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Our report comes from the 2nd volume from 2008 of the popular book series "Hallo Fahrerlager" by Rainer Braun. August 1973, German Racing Championship (DRM) in Hockenheim, BMW versus Ford. Or vice versa. In the evening after the training day, people meet at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Walldorf, where most of them have been staying for years. This is the scenario in the lobby: BMW Head of Sport Jochen Neerpasch, 34, leans his head on the table, looking serious as he pores over training and strategy papers. His driver Harald Menzel in the CSL Coupe is in pole position, just ahead of Hans Heyer's works Capri RS. Technicians, drivers and employees sit or stand around Neerpasch. If you want to elicit a smile from the boss, you have to make a real effort. The atmosphere is serious, even though music and laughter can be heard from the bar next door. At around 11 p.m., the BMW racing manager breaks up the meeting and, without risking a sideways glance at the bar, takes a measured step to his room.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

Continue reading this article for free?

Photos of this article

Source: