Ernst Degner
ERNST DEGNER
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B R. Nicholls
A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO, Ernst Degner was an East German national figure as the leader of the M.Z. road racing team. In 1960 he had won Grands Prix in Belgium and East Germany and his success in 1961 was such that he started the season with a second place in the Spanish G.P., won the West German at Hockenheim, was second in the French but struck disaster in the Dutch for a practice crash broke his elbow.
It was then his great courage was evidenced for the following week he gained a fourth place in the Belgian G.P. and followed this with a win at the East German, a second in the Ulster and another win at Monza. He was after this successful run within an ace of winning the 125cc world championship. Then at the Swedish G.P. he fled the East German regime, losing all chance of a title for he was not allowed to race in the Argentine where the 125cc title was decided in favour of the late Tom Phillis (Honda).
History repeats itself and again this year all hopes of a world title depended on the result of the Argentine meeting as Degner, who had joined the Japanese Suzuki concern, was lying one point behind Anscheidt, the works Kreidler rider. Ernst had had an impressive run of four victories in the Isle of Man T.T. and Dutch, Belgium and West German Grands Prix. But then at the Ulster where there was no 50cc race Ernst crashed in the 125 race and damaged an already injured knee. But fortune smiled in the end and he won his first title with a second place behind teammate Hugh Anderson in the Argentine.
Now thirty one years of age, this slightly built steel-eyed riding ace will be devoting the winter months using his genius as an engineer to improve the Suzuki two-stroke machines to the high class of the 50cc model. Whether the 250 is developed or not we can only guess as yet but Ernst gets such a determined look in his eye when talking of the 125 class — the title he so nearly won — that I think next season’s Suzuki will be a real flier. So of course will the 50cc model which Ernst rides with such brilliance. •
