The Germans Wins At The Isle Of Man

On of the more controversial storied from the Isle of Man, is from 1939. Nazi Germany was represented in more than one class at the Isle of man TT, a grand prix that was previously entirely ruled by British riders. Needless to say, Georg Meier and his team mates were not welcome at the grand prix…

For the 1939 racing season, Georg Meier raced for the factory BMW team during his periods of leave from the police force. Meier drove the terrific, powerful and mighty 500cc B.M.W. RS compressor racer at this race. The 500cc boxer twin featured a Roots-type supercharger, which was mounted in front of the crankcase. The carburettor was on the right with the inlet pipes passing under the cylinders. The overhead camshafts were shaft driven.

On one of the very rare photos from the grand prix, Meier is seen fully air born flying through the air! COOL!!!

During practice for the Race, Meier's BMW team-mate, Kall Gall crashed at Ballaugh Bridge and later died of his injuries in hospital. After considering withdrawing from the Isle of Man TT, the BMW management decided that Meier and Jock West would compete in the 1939 Senior TT Race.

Georg Meier led from start to finish, winning at an average speed of no less then 89.38 mph (143.84 km/h), and Jock West finished in second place. Meier also broke the fastest lap record with an average speed of a massive 90.75 mph (146.05 km/h). Which at the time was an amazingly fast speed on the Isle of Man T.T. Mountain circuit?

The 500cc B.M.W. RS compressor racer has because of the Isle of Man race in 1939 become the most famous BMW racing model ever, and an everlasting monument of BMW’s overshadowing technological capabilities at the time.