As previously mentioned I'm a big fan of MZs. People may consider their bikes to be dull and boring but back in the 60s they were a force to be reckoned with on the GP circuits. Much of their success was due to race manager Walter Kaaden's pioneering engine development with exhaust technology. Such was his expertise that the Suzuki racing company arranged for Ernst Degner (East German MZ racer) to jump the Iron Curtain and join the factory in Japan. In doing so, Degner presented the Japs with many of Kaaden's technological secrets together with some hushed-up engine parts. Armed with Kaaden's extensive engineering knowledge the Japs then began their dominance of GP racing, firstly with Suzuki then the others.
What many people don't realise is that the great Mike Hailwood rode for MZ (see photo 1). Photo 2 shows start of 1967 250cc GP at Sachsenring with MZ riders Heinz Rosner (101), Derek Woodman (103) and Hartmut Bischoff (100). Photo 3 shows Kaaden with Hailwood, Alan Shepherd(?), Degner and another racer. Interesting, huh?
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