Solved NIC#1315 - 1959 HSM DKW Formula Junior

[nicanary]

well known USA driver?

He was quite well-known in the USA. He raced for many years in a variety of cars, and there are extensive records of his results.

[richard fridd]

NASCAR driver?

[nicanary]

NASCAR driver?

No. Road racing.

[richard fridd]

The classic sportscar races?

[nicanary]

The classic sportscar races?

Yes. He did take part in some, as well as domestic US stuff.

[richard fridd]

Le mans 24?

[nicanary]

Le mans 24?

Once.

[richard fridd]

In a Porsche?

[nicanary]

In a Porsche?

No.

[richard fridd]

Le Mans driver in the 1960s ?

[nicanary]

Le Mans driver in the 1960s ?

Yes.

[richard fridd]

Still alive?

[nicanary]

Still alive?

No.

[nicanary]

An important note to all members - I may have misidentified the driver of this particular car from the race number which I have obscured. The marque is still the same.

I think it is only fair to add some clues - there was a 3-car team in the race. This is of course one of them and the clues as to the driver's identity relate to one who was also one of the cars' builders. The initial letter of his surname forms part of the car's name.

[ducamax66]

HSM Formula Junior?

[nicanary]

HSM Formula Junior?

We have a winner. This is indeed an HSM FJ, created from a Formula Vee front end and a reversed DKW FWD front end at the back. Hence the amateur-looking radiator installed at the front.

Three of these cars raced in the December 1959 FJ race at Sebring which was won by Walt Hansgen's Stanguellini. The puzzle car was driven by Harry Baumann but I thought it was the car of Ray Heppenstall, who famously raced the Howmet TX turbine cars in endurance events.

Well done.