Gerhard Mitter
b Schonlinde (Germany, now Krasna Lipa, Czech Republic), August 30, 1935 – d Nürburgring (West-Germany), August 1, 1969
Talented German youngster who crossed Carel’s path more than once. Mitter became his country’s most successful Formula Junior driver, winning the inaugural 1960 title in his family-run Lotus-DKW, outshining later double champion Kurt Ahrens Jr. He became a Grand Prix driver in 1963 when he jumped into Maarsbergen’s 718-202 by mid-season. Always quicker than Carel, Gerhard ran in the Dutch, Solitude, German and Italian GP, to take an amazing fourth place and three valuable World Championship points at the Nürburgring.
Moving into sportscars, he was entered in a 904 GTS with Carel twice in 1964, shortly before the Dutchman’s fatal accident, but did not run. The second entry was a Racing Team Holland effort for the 1964 Le Mans 24 Hrs, where Carel and Gerhard were due to share with Guy Ligier.
Mitter went on to become the 1966, ’67 and ’68 European Hillclimb Champion while continuing his successful membership of the Porsche sportscar squad. His last and greatest victory for Porsche came at the 1969 Targa Florio. Since his Grand Prix debut in Carel’s second 718 Mitter featured as a guest driver in his home GP four times until he crashed fatally in practice for the 1969 German GP, when the front suspension on his F2 BMW car failed at Flugplatz.
Gerhard Mitter in the 1963 German GP.
Carel heading team mate Mitter during the same event.
Mitter in the Karussell.