RIP Klaus Enders

[Enword]

German Sidecar driver Klaus Enders, six-time FIM Sidecar Grand Prix World Champion between 1967 and 1974, passed away on 20 January 2019, at the age of 82, following a long illness.

From left to right - Ralf Engelhardt & Klaus Enders in 1972- © FIM ArchiveFrom left to right - Ralf Engelhardt & Klaus Enders in 1972- © FIM Archive © Photos FIM Archive - 1972 passenger Ralf Engelhardt & Driver Klaus Enders© Photos FIM Archive - 1972 passenger Ralf Engelhardt & Driver Klaus EndersPreviousNext
Born on 2 May 1937 in Wetzlar, Germany, he started his racing career in 1960, in the 500cc solo as well as in the Sidecar class. In 1963 he was German Junior champion in the 500cc class, and in 1964 while fighting for the German 500cc Championship title he crashed in the last race on the Avus circuit. He then decided to go Sidecar racing. With passenger Reinhold Manischeff, he clinched his first World Championship points with a fourth place at Spa-Francorchamps.

Then he was fourth again at the TT with Ralf Engelhardt as passenger. 1967 was the first year of success for the team, with five wins and a first title. In 1969 Enders/Engelhardt took their second title by winning a fight against Helmut Fath at the last race in Northern Ireland. At the end of the 1970 season, after a third World crown with five race wins (two of them with passenger Wolfgang Kallauch), he decided to retire and to go car racing, but less than a year later he was back to Sidecar racing and, with his usual passenger Ralf Engelhardt, won three more World Championships (72 to 74 inclusive). He clinched altogether 27 Grand Prix wins in his career.

The FIM community, led by President Jorge Viegas, extends its sincere condolences to Klaus Enders’ family and friends.

FIM Communication

 

[tonyidle]

German Sidecar driver Klaus Enders, six-time FIM Sidecar Grand Prix World Champion between 1967 and 1974, passed away on 20 January 2019, at the age of 82, following a long illness.

From left to right - Ralf Engelhardt & Klaus Enders in 1972- © FIM ArchiveFrom left to right - Ralf Engelhardt & Klaus Enders in 1972- © FIM Archive © Photos FIM Archive - 1972 passenger Ralf Engelhardt & Driver Klaus Enders© Photos FIM Archive - 1972 passenger Ralf Engelhardt & Driver Klaus EndersPreviousNext
Born on 2 May 1937 in Wetzlar, Germany, he started his racing career in 1960, in the 500cc solo as well as in the Sidecar class. In 1963 he was German Junior champion in the 500cc class, and in 1964 while fighting for the German 500cc Championship title he crashed in the last race on the Avus circuit. He then decided to go Sidecar racing. With passenger Reinhold Manischeff, he clinched his first World Championship points with a fourth place at Spa-Francorchamps.

Then he was fourth again at the TT with Ralf Engelhardt as passenger. 1967 was the first year of success for the team, with five wins and a first title. In 1969 Enders/Engelhardt took their second title by winning a fight against Helmut Fath at the last race in Northern Ireland. At the end of the 1970 season, after a third World crown with five race wins (two of them with passenger Wolfgang Kallauch), he decided to retire and to go car racing, but less than a year later he was back to Sidecar racing and, with his usual passenger Ralf Engelhardt, won three more World Championships (72 to 74 inclusive). He clinched altogether 27 Grand Prix wins in his career.

The FIM community, led by President Jorge Viegas, extends its sincere condolences to Klaus Enders’ family and friends.

FIM Communication

I remember him well along with all the other German chair men. What would sidecar racing be like without their massive enthusiasm during the '60s?

 

[Wildbill]

My dad was a avid follower of the sport and used to drag me to sum of the recess knock hill and sum down south I cant remember as I was so young.
Remember bing right next to the track when something went wrong and the thing hit the bank right in front of me flying right over my head and my dad's and I pissed my shelf.
I was walked past the remans of the rig and a covered up corps.
my mother band me from going to any more
bill
RIP to a grate sports man Klaus Enders’

 

[Jo662]

RIP Klaus. Respect for all he achieved.

 

[Baldeagle7470]

So,so sad.
All these hero’s we watched as kids,the above Fritz Scheidegger and others,so many gone.
Cruel sport but it’s what it is,I see it every year marshalling at the TT.
Know the Dunlop’s and felt their pain.
Not sure I will go again,for a while.

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[TheTwoOfUs]

For me that era was the pinnacle of sidecar racing and he was one of the best.

 

[f6c]

He was a great racer. Rip

 

[sonny]

They were all friendly and gentlemen even on the track with their chairs on the wrong side you had to be careful especially on right handers rip

 

[Steve and Denise]

Total respect for this man, not all racers live to die from old age.

 

[DBK]

I think this is him winning a race.

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[gus-lopez]

RIP Klaus.

 

[PhilG]

Saw him race many times, was a golden age for sure.

 

[Stealaway]

Barry Dungworth from Sheffield was a contemporary of Klaus in the early 70's
Barry was an electrician through the winter off season and my 'man' when I was an apprentice electrician.
I would listen avidly to his tales of the GP circus and stories of the crack and carry on of the riders and my hero's like SMBH

 

[PhilG]

Also lost Nigel Rollason this week, suddenly,it appears. One of the stalwarts of the 70's sidecar scene.

 

[Enword]

Also lost Nigel Rollason this week, suddenly,it appears. One of the stalwarts of the 70's sidecar scene.

Good solo & sidecar racer, RIP Nigel Rollason

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