Brooks wins first and only German GP at AVUS

On this day in 1959, Tony Brooks led fellow Scuderia team mates Dan Gurney and Phil Hill to win the German Grand Prix.

The race was run for the first and only time on the AVUS track, which was basically two long straights joined at each end by two banked curves.

The race itself was split into two heats, for fear of the cars' tyres not resisting the heavy loads. Brooks and his fellow Ferrari team mates were pretty much ahead all weekend.

Sadly, the weekend was also marked by the death of the great Jean Behra in a supporting sports car race, his Porsche RSK flying over the top of the north turn banking, as there was no wall or fence.

The French driver never stood a chance unfortunately.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.