German GP Memorable Moments: Part 2

AVUS: First and last time

1959 was the only year when an F1 world championship race was held at the AVUS track in Berlin. It basically consisted of two long straights joined at the two ends by big radius curves- which were flat initially but bankings were introduced in the 1930′s. Although the track layout looked quite simple and straightforward, it still claimed the life of a driver during its only presence on the calendar.

The reason for that was the infamous 43-degree banking on the Nordkurve which had no wall or fence on its top (outside) to prevent the cars from flying off the track at high speed. That is exactly what happened with ex-Ferrari driver Jean Behra when he was participating in a supporting sportscar race. The track was deemed unfit for racing in later years because Formula 1 racing was stopped on banked circuits very soon after. Dangerous bankings at Monza and Montlhery were removed.