Part 1 – Career before the War: http://www.motoracers.eu/petrus-story-part-1/?lang=en
Part 2 – 1st years after World War II: http://www.motoracers.eu/petrus-story-part-2/?lang=en
Part 3 – the strong private driver: http://www.motoracers.eu/petrus-story-part-3/?lang=en
Part 4 – early IFA-DKW years: http://www.motoracers.eu/petrus-story-part-4/?lang=en
Part 5 – last active year: http://www.motoracers.eu/?p=50398&lang=en
Most important facts about Bernhard Petruschke’s career
Born on April 6, 1910 in Grünberg in Silesia (today Zielona Góra in Poland). Before World War II, Petruschke trained as a carpenter. The most important data about his career in brief:
- From 1931 first motorcycle races near his home in Berlin.
- On September 9, 1934, victory in the field hill climb on Rudge in the 500 cm³ category.
- Two-time European runner-up in 1938 and 1939 as a DKW works driver.
- Vice title of the all-German championship in 1948 in the 350 cm³ class.
- From 1950 successful private driver on ZPH 125 cm³ self-made by D. Zimmermann.
- Mandatory at IFA (later MZ) from 1953 as a works driver.
- Double 125 cm³ DDR champion at IFA 1953 and 1954.
- First World Championship points for the GDR and IFA / MZ with 5th place at the GP of Germany in 1955.
- Retired from racing at the age of 45 at the end of the 1955 season.
- After his racing career, worked as MZ racing director for many years.
The most important successes of Petruschke
