Eifelland

Eifelland-March E21 pictured in 2011

Eifelland was a German Formula One team, named after its German owner Guenther Hennerici's caravan manufacturing company. Guenther owned a very successful caravan business and in the beginning he saw racing a great possibility to advertise his product. The name Eifelland was chosen after the Eifel mountains where Hennerici was born, which are located close to the Nürburgring.

Guenther had a twin brother Heinz who lost his left arm in the Second World War, however was a devoted racing driver who still holds a record in his group at the Nürburgring. Guenther and Heinz were very involved in racing in general and helped to establish the AC Mayen with many other racing fanatics in and from Mayen. Guenther's third wife Hannelore Werner was a successful Formula 2 driver, and Heinz's grandson Marc Hennerici was a very successful racing driver in his own right. Heinz was a popular figure around the Nuerburgring until his death.

However Guenther had quite a temperament which is still rather famous in and outside the paddock. Guenther sold his business a couple of years later and turned back to racing, but most of his achievements are lost. His dream from the 70's came true in 2010 with Mercedes Benz re-establishing itself into Formula One. Guenther and Heinz were very passionate about the old style racing and Guenther should be remembered as one of the pioneers and visioneers of modern German racing principals.

Eifelland only participated in FIA Formula One World Championship in the 1972 Formula One season. Their driver was German Rolf Stommelen, however the two soon suffered disagreements.

The car was based on a March 721 Formula One car, redesigned by German designer Luigi Colani in his typical rounded aerodynamic style. The car featured an air intake in front of the driver, with the air being guided around the cockpit to the engine. A single rear view mirror was mounted right before the driver. Problems with overheating, downforce and reliability meant that the team had to replace some of Colani's designs with the originally-designed parts from March.

Complete Formula One World Championship results

(key)

Year Chassis Engine Tyres Driver 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Points WCC
1972 Eifelland Type 21 Ford V8 G ARG RSA ESP MON BEL FRA GBR GER AUT ITA CAN USA 0 NC
Germany Rolf Stommelen 13 Ret 10 11 16 10 Ret 15

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