1937 Masaryk Grand Prix

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**1937 Masaryk Grand Prix**
Race details
1937 Grand Prix season
Date	26 September 1937
Official name	VII Masarykuv Okruh
Location	Masaryk Circuit, Brno
Course	Permanent racing facility 18.107 mi / 29.140 km
Distance	15 laps, 271.6 mi / 437.1 km
Pole position
Driver	Tazio Nuvolari	Alfa Romeo
Grid positions set by ballot
Fastest lap
Driver	Rudolf Caracciola	Mercedes-Benz
Time	11:59.3
Podium
First	Rudolf Caracciola	Mercedes-Benz
Second	Manfred von Brauchitsch	Mercedes-Benz
Third	Hermann Paul Müller Bernd Rosemeyer	Auto Union

The 1937 Masaryk Grand Prix was a 750kg Formula race held on September 26, 1937 at the Masaryk Circuit.

[edit] Race Report

Rudolf Hasse and Achille Varzi did not race due to illness. Rosemeyer took the Auto Union into an early lead and von Brauchitsch couldn't match his skill on the gravel surface as he pulled away from the field. On lap five Lang lost control of his Mercedes and left the road and ploughed into some bystanders, killing two and injuring twelve. Unable to catch Rosemeyer von Brauchitsch let Caracciola past and the latter began catching the young Auto Union driver. In the end though it was unnecessary to pass him, Rosemeyer's brakes gave out and his race was over...or maybe not.

Müller had been in second place, but couldn't keep the Mercedes' behind and both Seaman and von Brauchitsch caught and passed him and he dropped to fourth. Back in the pits Rosemeyer took over Müller's car and immediately set about catching the now cruising Mercedes' drivers. Seaman was 48s ahead at the beginning of the final 29km lap, Rosemeyer finished the lap 37s ahead of him! Von Brauchitsch was only another 5s ahead when they took the flag and Rosemeyer had an incredible 3rd place whilst Caracciola had the win.

[edit] Classification

Pos	No	Driver	Team	Laps	Time/Retired	Grid
1	2	Rudolf Caracciola	Mercedes-Benz	15	3:09:25.3	8
2	4	Manfred von Brauchitsch	Mercedes-Benz	15	+ 36.4	5
3	12	Hermann Paul Müller/Bernd Rosemeyer	Auto Union	15	+ 41.1	6
4	6	Richard Seaman	Mercedes-Benz	15	+ 1'18.5	7
5	18	Tazio Nuvolari	Alfa Romeo	14	+ 1 lap	1
6	20	Antonio Brivio	Alfa Romeo	14	+ 1 lap	4
7	-	László Hartmann	Maserati	13	+ 2 laps	9
8	-	Erno Festetics	Maserati	12	+ 3 laps	10
DNF	-	Paul Pietsch	Maserati	-	Crash	12
DNF	-	Luigi Soffietti	Maserati	-	-	13
DNF	10	Bernd Rosemeyer	Auto Union	8	Brakes	3
DNF	8	Hermann Lang	Mercedes-Benz	5	Crash	2
DNF	28	Renato Balestrero	Alfa Romeo	-	-	11