Rudolf Caracciolo was famously known as Regenmeister, or “Rainmaster”, for his prowess in wet conditions, he is considered one of the most gifted drivers of all time and perhaps the greatest racer ever prior to 1939. The races and photos detailed here span 1929 to 1931, documenting several of Caracciola’s early successes for Mercedes-Benz in the “SS” and “SSK”. This period is prior to his move to Alfa Romeo and less famous than his subsequent return to Mercedes-Benz in 1934 as part of the legendary original Silver Arrows.
Mercedes-Benz Royalty
Chairman Faroux, Rennleiter Alfred Neubauer and Rudolf Caracciolo hover over the engine of the 300SL racer at the 1000 mile race at Brescia in 1952. Along with Fangio and Moss, Rudolf Caracciola remains one of the biggest names in Mercedes-Benz history.
International English Tourist Trophy Victory Silverstone in 1929
COPY Rudolf Caracciolo wins the International English Tourist Trophy in 1929 driving the Mercedes-Benz “SS”. END COPY Known as the world’s oldest continuous international motor race, starting in 1905 the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) Tourist Trophy has started and secured the legends of such racing luminaries as Sterling Moss, Rudolf Caracciola, Tazio Nuvolari and Carrol Shelby among many others.
COPY Rudolf Caracciolo wins the International English Tourist Trophy in 1929 driving the Mercedes-Benz “SS”. END COPY Rudolf Caracciola wins the race at Silverstone in the Mercedes-Benz Type SS in the “up to 8 liters” class. The victory came in August of 1929 and Mercedes offered up what turned out to be more than a stiff bit of competition for the vaunted Bentley’s.
Irish Grand Prix Victory at Phoenix Park in Dublin 1930
COPY Car No 3. Caracciola wins the Grand Prix of Ireland driving the Mercedes-Benz “SS”, 1930. END COPY Germany’s Rudolf Caracciola dominated in the Éireann Cup race held at Phoenix Park to claim the Irish Grand Prix for Mercedes in 1930. A year later the open wheel event went to a split category system with smaller cars being separated from larger ones. The Irish Grand Prix lasted only three years, from 1928 through 1930.
Mille Miglia Victory in 1931
COPY Rudolf Caracciola in a Mercedes-Benz “SSK” won the 1000 mile race in Brescia in 1931. After use, this photo must be returned to the author, as the negative no longer exists. END COPY Rudolf Caracciola, driving under the guise of a quasi-independent Alfred Neubauer because of financial issues faced by Daimler because of the worldwide Great Depression, becomes the first non-Italian to win the 1000 mile Mille Miglia. The 1000 mile race at Brescia took place in April of 1931.
German Grand Prix Victory at Nurburgring in 1931
COPY These Mercedes-Benz SSK racing cars were also directed by Neubauer to victory. Rudolf Caracciola in a Mercedes SSK at the 1931 German GP at the Nurburgring. END COPY Rudolf Caracciola places first at the Nurburging, 4 years after the event was moved from the very dangerous AVUS track, which Caracciola had won in 1926 at the inaugural event at AVUS. The Grand Prix of Germany took place in July of 1931 Nurburgring. Caracciola, showcasing his dominance of the Nurburgring track, would go on to win in 1932 under the Alfa Romeo banner.
