Nick Mason drives for Audi Tradition at Goodwood

Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason will be on the grid for Audi Tradition at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. A member of possibly the greatest rock band of all time, Mason will be driving an Auto Union Type C dating from 1936, perhaps the brightest star in Audi Tradition’s collection.
Thomas Frank, Head of AUDI AG’s heritage division, is delighted: “We consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have secured Nick Mason to represent us at the world’s most important festival for historical racing cars.”

The Pink Floyd musician readily agreed to attend the Goodwood Festival of Speed (22 to 24 June 2007) in an Auto Union Type C, and commented, “My dream of getting behind the wheel of this car has come true and I am fully aware of how privileged I am to do so.” 16 cylinders, 520 bhp, 340 km/h flat out: in 1936 the Auto Union Type C was the measure of all things. Bernd Rosemeyer drove this motor-racing icon to victory in the European Championship, the German Championship and the German Hillclimb Championship – and it was in a Type C that he established the reputation that assured him of enduring glory among racing fans the world over. Rosemeyer furthermore won his last Grand Prix at the British event exactly 70 years ago. This car, which was designed by Ferdinand Porsche, was also driven by Hans Stuck, Achille Varzi, Ernst von Delius, H.P. Müller and Rudolf Hasse. As all the racing cars of this model that remained in Zwickau after World War II were lost to the reparations and have never been seen since, this crowning jewel in the long history of AUDI AG was faithfully rebuilt by Crosthwaite & Gardiner in England.

Nick Mason has already driven a number of test laps with the reconstructed original and was enthralled: “Absolutely fantastic.” The Pink Floyd drummer experienced no problems whatsoever with the Auto Union Type C, which is said to be difficult to drive. Indeed, given the rock star’s second passion, this was hardly surprising: Nick Mason is the devoted owner of a collection of 35 racing cars which he drives with consummate skill. For instance, the Pink Floyd member has competed in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans on five occasions.

The four rings of the Audi badge symbolise the brands Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer, which were later combined under the umbrella of Auto Union. Auto Union and NSU, which merged in 1969, made many significant contributions towards the development of the car. AUDI AG was formed from Audi NSU Auto Union AG in 1985. Together with the two traditional companies Auto Union GmbH and NSU GmbH, Audi Tradition nurtures and presents the deep and diverse history of Audi. The Audi museum mobile at the Audi Forum Ingolstadt is open daily from Monday to Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.