Eifelland was a German

Formula One Formula One (F1) is the highest class of worldwide racing for open-wheel single-seater formula Auto racing, racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The FIA Formula One World Championship has been one ...

team, named after its owner Günther Hennerici's caravan manufacturing company. The name Eifelland was chosen after the

Eifel mountains The Eifel (; , ) is a low mountain range in western Germany, eastern Belgium and northern Luxembourg. It occupies parts of southwestern North Rhine-Westphalia, northwestern Rhineland-Palatinate and the southern area of the German-speaking Com ...

where Hennerici was born, which are located close to the

Nürburgring The () is a 150,000-person capacity motorsports complex located in the town of Nürburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It features a Grand Prix motor racing, Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a long configuration, built in the 1920s ...

History

Günther's twin brother, Heinz Hennerici, was a

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

tank commander who lost his left arm in combat. The accident didn't prevent him from becoming a rather successful

touring car Touring car and tourer are both terms for open cars (i.e. cars without a fixed roof). "Touring car" is a style of open car built in the United States which seats four or more people. The style was popular from the early 1900s to the 1930s. The ...

racing driver, eventually competing in the

Nürburgring 24 Hours The Nürburgring 24 Hours is a 24-hour annual touring car racing, touring car and Grand tourer, GT Endurance racing (motorsport), endurance racing event that takes place on a combination of the Nordschleife ("North Loop") and the GP-Strecke ("Gr ...

. The Hennerici brothers were also instrumental in the establishment of the Automobil-Club

Mayen Mayen () is a town in the Mayen-Koblenz, Mayen-Koblenz District of the Rhineland-Palatinate Federal State of Germany, in the eastern part of the Volcanic Eifel Region. As well as the main town, additional settlements include Alzheim, Kürrenberg, ...

. In 1970 Günther married , one of the few female

Formula 2 Formula Two (F2) is a type of open-wheel formula racing category first codified in 1948. It was replaced in 1985 by Formula 3000, but revived by the FIA from 2009 to 2012 in the form of the FIA Formula Two Championship. The name returned aga ...

and

Sports car A sports car is a type of automobile that is designed with an emphasis on dynamic performance, such as Automobile handling, handling, acceleration, top speed, the thrill of driving, and Auto racing, racing capability. Sports cars originated in ...

drivers around at the time. In 1971 Günther Hennerici decided to expand his activities to motor racing and founded his own team, Eifelland. Initially the team competed mostly in

Formula Three Formula Three (F3) is a third-tier class of open-wheel formula racing. The various championships held in Europe, Australia, South America and Asia form an important step for many prospective Formula One drivers. History Formula Three (adop ...

, with drivers such as Willi Deutsch, Gerd Koppenhauser, Erwin Derichs, Hans Hargarten and Werner herself. In 1972 he chose to graduate to Formula One and field one single car with

Rolf Stommelen Rolf Johann Stommelen (; 11 July 1943 – 24 April 1983) was a German racing driver, who competed in Formula One from to . In endurance racing, Stommelen was a four-time winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona with Porsche. Stommelen participated in ...

at the wheel. The car was based on a March 721 Formula One car, redesigned by German designer

Luigi Colani Luigi Colani (born Lutz Colani; 2 August 1928 – 16 September 2019) was a German industrial designer. His long career began in the 1950s when he designed cars for companies including Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Volkswagen, and BMW. In 1957, he d ...

in his typical rounded aerodynamic style, and presented some innovative features. An air intake in front of the driver would guide the air around the cockpit to the engine, and one single rear view mirror was mounted in front of the driver. Although reasonably reliable, the car suffered from overheating and scarce downforce. Stomelen's best results were two top-ten finishes at the

1972 Monaco Grand Prix The 1972 Monaco Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Monaco on May 14, 1972. It was race 4 of 12 in both the 1972 World Championship of Drivers and the 1972 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers. The track was substantially ...

and the

1972 British Grand Prix The 1972 British Grand Prix (formally the John Player Grand Prix) was a Formula One motor race held at Brands Hatch on 15 July 1972. It was race 7 of 12 in both the 1972 World Championship of Drivers and the 1972 International Cup for Formula ...

, and at the end of the

1972 Formula One season The 1972 Formula One season was the 26th season of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, FIA's Formula One motor racing. It featured the 23rd List of Formula One World Drivers' Champions, World Championship of Drivers, the 15th List o ...

the team decided to focus exclusively on Formula Three. After a couple of unsuccessful seasons, in 1974 Hennerici sold the team and his caravan company and retired. Heinz's grandson,

Marc Hennerici Marc Hennerici (born 10 May 1982 in Mayen) is a German auto racing driver. He is best known for being the first winner of the World Touring Car Championship's Independents Trophy, in 2005. Racing career Hennerici competed in Formula BMW from 1999 ...

, is also a racing driver. He won the 2005 World Touring Car Championship's Independents Trophy.

Complete Formula One World Championship results

( key)

References

External links

F1 Rejects article about the team

Team results at motorsport-total.com
{{Formula One constructors Formula One constructors Formula One entrants Formula Two entrants 1972 establishments in West Germany 1972 disestablishments in West Germany German auto racing teams German racecar constructors Auto racing teams established in 1972 Auto racing teams disestablished in 1972