AutoCult Kaimann Mk4 Formula Vau Niki Lauda (A), dark green

From 1966, Kurt Bergmann and his Kaimann racing team took part in the new Formula V racing series in Austria. In the same year, the Austrian put two racing cars on the wheels as monopostos, powered by a 1200 VW engine with just under 45 hp and accelerating the racing cars to around 160 kph. The Kaimann team immediately found its feet in the scene. For the 1968 season, the team further developed its racing car with a modified tubular frame and designated it as MK III. In accordance with the regulations, the 1300 VW engine was now allowed to be used as the power unit, with tuning measures resulting in an output of up to 60 hp. The monoposto of the Formula Vee racing class accelerated up to 180 km/h in this season. For the 1969 racing year, Kurt Bergmann recognized the talent of a 20-year-old Viennese driver who had made his racing debut the year before and had immediately driven the Mini Cooper to second place on the podium in his first hillclimb race ? Niki Lauda. He and Erich Breinsberg contested the 1969 Austrian championship for Kaimann. With his two victories on the race track in Monza and Sopron, as well as several second-place finishes, the talented youngster Lauda showed right away that he could also handle a Fomel race car in a first-class manner. His number seven, which was pasted on many times, became the rookie's signature for insiders. However, it was not enough for his first championship title, which was nevertheless won by his team-mate Erich Breinsberg for the Kaimann racing team. Lauda finished third in the final standings. For the 1970 season, Niki Lauda was no longer a member of the Austrian team, as he switched to the Formula 3 class and competed in the French classification. One year later followed his promotion to Formula 2 and in 1971 to the highest motorsport class. With his Formula 1 titles in 1975, 1977 and 1984, the Austrian immortalized himself forever in the annals of motorsport.