AVUS

AVUS
source
Name	AVUS
Caption	An aerial view of the Berlin circuit, showing the distinctive long straights.
Location	Berlin, Germany
Opened	1921
Closed	1998
Major events	German Grand Prix, Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, Formula One
Layout1	AVUS (North Curve, post-1937)
Length km	8.300
Length mi	5.157

AVUS, an acronym for *Automobil-Verkehrs- und Übungs-Straße* (Automobile Traffic and Practice Road), was a unique and historically significant motor racing circuit located in the Grunewald forest of Berlin. Renowned for its minimalist and brutally fast design, it featured two massively long parallel straights connected by flat-out curves, creating a format unlike any other major track. It hosted premier events including the German Grand Prix and witnessed profound evolution, from its Weimar Republic origins through the Nazi Germany era to its final days hosting the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. The circuit's final configuration was defined by the infamous steeply banked Nordkurve (North Curve), a towering concrete wall that became its most iconic and fearsome landmark.

History

The concept for AVUS was conceived before World War I, with construction beginning in 1913 but being halted by the conflict. It finally opened for racing in 1921, quickly establishing itself as a temple of speed and a symbol of the technological optimism of the Weimar Republic. The track was significantly altered in 1936-37 under the direction of the National Socialist Motor Corps to create a more imposing venue, resulting in the construction of the monumental banked north curve. Following severe damage during World War II, particularly during the Battle of Berlin, the circuit was repaired and reopened in the 1950s, continuing to host major events. Its operational life spanned the division of Berlin, with the circuit located in the American sector of West Berlin, making it a notable cultural outpost during the Cold War.

Circuit layout and characteristics

The classic AVUS layout was essentially a two-lane public road, forming a 19-kilometer rectangular loop with two endless straights of approximately 9.5 km each, linked by two simple hairpin turns at each end. This original configuration made it the world's fastest race track, with average speeds exceeding 240 km/h in the 1920s. The 1937 rebuild shortened the track and replaced the flat north turn with the legendary 43-degree banked Nordkurve, constructed from 80,000 tons of brick and concrete. The southern end typically featured a flat, tight hairpin, creating a dramatic contrast. The final 8.3 km layout used until closure retained the banked wall but incorporated a chicane on the main straight for safety, drastically altering the circuit's character from its original form.

Major events and races

AVUS hosted the German Grand Prix in 1926 as part of the AIACR World Manufacturers' Championship and again in 1959, a Formula One championship race won by Tony Brooks in a Ferrari. It was a cornerstone of national motorsport, frequently hosting the German motorcycle Grand Prix and rounds of the German Sports Car Championship. The track became infamous for the 1959 AVUS race, where driver Jean Behra was killed in a support event. In its later decades, it was a popular venue for the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) and its predecessor series, with legendary drivers like Bernd Schneider and Klaus Ludwig achieving victories there. The track also hosted rounds of the FIA GT Championship and various Formula 3 events, maintaining a busy calendar until its closure.

Legacy and closure

Increasing safety concerns, especially regarding the dangerously narrow pit lane and the proximity of the banked wall to public roads, ultimately led to its demise. The final major race was a Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters event in 1998. Following closure, most of the circuit was converted into a public autobahn, the A115, with the iconic banking demolished in 1999 despite preservation efforts. A small monument and a section of the grandstand remain as historical markers. The AVUS name endures in the automotive world, remembered as a pioneering speed bowl that challenged drivers and machines unlike any other circuit, its history inextricably linked with the tumultuous story of Berlin itself.

In popular culture

The formidable nature of AVUS, particularly its banking, has cemented its place in motorsport lore. It features in several historical racing simulations and video games, allowing modern audiences to experience its unique challenges. The circuit has been referenced or depicted in documentaries about Formula One history, the Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows, and the Auto Union racing teams of the 1930s. Its stark, imposing architecture and association with the pre-war Nazi Germany era have also made it a subject of interest in historical and architectural studies examining the regime's use of monumental projects for propaganda.

Category:Motorsport venues in Germany Category:Defunct motorsport venues Category:History of Berlin