RolfStommelen

Rolf Johann Stommelen, born on July 11, 1943, in Siegen, Germany, established himself as a versatile and formidable racing driver across multiple disciplines, though he is perhaps best remembered for his significant contributions to endurance racing. While his Formula One career spanned from 1969 to 1978, encompassing 63 Grand Prix starts, one podium finish, and 14 championship points, it was in sports car racing that Stommelen truly shone, achieving widespread success from the mid-1960s until his untimely death in 1983. His remarkable record includes four victories at the prestigious 24 Hours of Daytona and a win at the 1967 Targa Florio, both with Porsche.

Early Career and Endurance Prowess

Stommelen's talent for endurance racing became evident early in his career. In 1967, he secured a victory at the Targa Florio, driving for Porsche, marking an early highlight in his association with the German marque. The following year, 1968, saw him claim his first of four wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona. His prowess at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans was also notable. In 1968, he finished third in a Porsche 908, and just a year later, in 1969, he captured pole position for the event in a Porsche 917. That same year, Stommelen made history by becoming the first driver to exceed speeds of 350 km/h (217 mph) on the Mulsanne Straight of the Le Mans circuit, a feat accomplished in his Porsche 917 LH, underscoring his exceptional speed and bravery.

Formula One Debut and Challenges

Rolf Stommelen made his Formula One debut in 1970 with Brabham, securing sponsorship from the German magazine Auto, Motor und Sport. Throughout the 1970s, he maintained a demanding dual career, competing concurrently in both Formula One and sports car racing, often driving for works teams such as Toj and Porsche in the latter. His Formula One journey, while yielding a podium and points, was also marked by a severe incident at the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix held at Montjuich Park in Barcelona. During the race, the rear wing of his Hill GH1 failed, causing his car to become airborne and crash into the crowd. This tragic accident resulted in the deaths of five spectators and left Stommelen seriously injured, an event that inadvertently contributed to the end of the circuit's tenure in Formula One.

Dominance in Sports Car Racing and Signature Drives

Following his recovery from the Montjuich Park crash, Stommelen returned to sports car racing with renewed determination, quickly re-establishing his status as a top-tier endurance driver. He secured further victories for Alfa Romeo and added three more triumphs at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1978, 1980, and 1982. His career was punctuated by several remarkable performances that showcased his technical understanding, tactical acumen, and sheer driving skill. One such instance occurred in 1976 at the 300 km Nürburgring race, where Stommelen was entrusted with driving the maiden race of the Porsche 936, a car that would become famously known as the "black widow" due to its initial black livery and lack of an air-intake. Qualifying second, between the factory Renault Alpine A442s, Stommelen demonstrated his strategic brilliance on a rain-soaked race day. He overtook the leading Renault immediately after the start. Approaching the Nordkehre, he deliberately left room for the pursuing Renaults, which, eager to regain the lead, rushed into water puddles and crashed in tandem, allowing Stommelen to retake the lead. This incident cemented the saying, "On the Nordschleife, you can never brake later than Rolf Stommelen!" Later in the same race, with a stuck throttle cable, Stommelen ingeniously continued by turning off the master switch to brake in corners and reactivating it to accelerate, ultimately securing an impressive second place. His association with Porsche continued to yield iconic moments. In 1978, he piloted the formidable Porsche 935 "Moby Dick" in Martini colors. This machine, powered by a 3.2-litre turbo engine producing 845 HP, allowed Stommelen to achieve an astonishing 365 km/h (235 mph) on the Mulsanne Straight, making him the fastest man there, even surpassing the purpose-built prototypes like the Porsche 936 and the race-winning Renault Alpine A442B. Despite its raw speed, the "Moby Dick's" high fuel consumption necessitated too many pit stops to contend for the overall win. The 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans saw Stommelen nearly clinch victory in another Porsche 935, sharing the drive with Dick Barbour and actor Paul Newman. Their strong challenge was ultimately thwarted by a lengthy 23-minute pit stop caused by a stuck wheel nut. However, the team's competitive position was largely attributed to Stommelen's consistent pace, being "constantly seconds faster than his team mates each lap," highlighting his exceptional performance relative to his co-drivers. Beyond Porsche, Stommelen also found success driving Toj SC320 prototype sportscars, competing effectively against the factory Alfa team. His mastery of the Nürburgring was further underscored by his consistent victories at races held there, culminating in a championship win in the 1977 German GT Championship (Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft) for the Gelo Racing Team in a Porsche 935.

Diverse Racing Engagements and Later Career

Stommelen's racing career was not confined to European circuits or sports car prototypes. In 1971, he ventured into American stock car racing, competing in a NASCAR Grand National series event at Talladega Superspeedway. He drove a Mercury Cyclone, a car with a notable history, having been a former Holman-Moody Ford used by Mario Andretti to win the 1967 Daytona 500, and later rebuilt by Robert Gee. Even into the 1980s, Stommelen remained a highly sought-after prototype driver, continuing to achieve success with cars such as the Kremer CK5, Lancia LC1, and Porsche 956, demonstrating his enduring skill and adaptability across different eras of sports car technology.

Legacy and Tragic End

Rolf Stommelen's illustrious career was tragically cut short on April 24, 1983. He was killed in a crash during the Los Angeles Times Grand Prix 6-hour International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) GT Championship event at Riverside International Raceway. At the time of the accident, Stommelen had just taken over a John Fitzpatrick-entered Porsche 935 from co-driver Derek Bell and was running in second place. The fatal incident occurred when the car's rear wing suffered a mechanical failure at approximately 306 km/h (190 mph). The uncontrollable Porsche slammed into a concrete wall, somersaulted, and caught fire. Stommelen succumbed to blunt force trauma, a crushed chest, and head injuries. His death marked the end of a career characterized by exceptional versatility, technical prowess, and an unwavering commitment to racing, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable achievements in endurance and sports car racing.