Congratulations: Triple champion Egon Evertz turns 90

Evon Evertz, the motorsport-mad boss of a steel company, achieved a feat that would be unimaginable today – he won no fewer than three German championship titles in a single season. And he did so in one and the same car, a DKW 1000 S.

In 1960, Evertz clinched the rally, touring car and circuit championships. In the following season, despite once again leading the championship standings in the midst of the title race, he withdrew from racing because the birth of his first son was imminent. His reasoning: “This event was more important to me than victories, points and championships.”

However, 15 years later, a lost bet forced him to make a comeback. In 1975, Egon Evertz immediately won another championship title, driving a powerful Porsche Carrera RSR in a hill climb. Alongside this, he shared the cockpit with various partners in a range of Porsche 935, 908-3 and 936 sports cars in the World Endurance Championship, before bidding farewell to the racetrack once again – and this time for good – after two years.

Comeback nach Rücktritt: Evert im Porsche auf dem Nürburgring

Foto: Archiv Evertz

But the jet pilot, chess patron and keen violinist continued to make headlines, as he was now fascinated by the idea of building his own two-stroke Formula 1 engine. However, the 750 PS revolution never came to pass, as the project was shelved whilst still in the development phase: “The FIA unexpectedly imposed a ban on two-stroke engines in Formula 1, so we had to call it a day.”

The disappointed manufacturer drew a definitive line under his motorsport chapter and from then on devoted himself solely to his business empire in Solingen, in the Rhineland, comprising steel construction, welding technology and aviation companies.

But he couldn’t quite do without his hobbies – chess (he was a multiple German champion and European Cup winner) and flying took the place of motor racing. Moreover, he performed alongside famous violin virtuosos at exclusive concerts.

Geigenkonzert mit Evertz bei einer Gala für Alt-Rennfahrer 2005 in Essen

Foto: Müller

Whether it was racing, flying or music – this ambitious multi-talented man always had just one goal in mind: to be the best. For instance, he set two world records with his ‘Gulfstream Commander’ turboprop aircraft on the non-stop routes from Düsseldorf to Toronto and back. Incidentally, his now-defunct airline ‘Air Evex’ was regarded as a top choice for business travel. As a qualified captain on both jets and propeller-driven aircraft, the boss himself clocked up around 7,000 flying hours over the years.

In 2003, Egon Evertz was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit, 1st Class, by the Federal President in recognition of his entrepreneurial achievements. Since the senior boss retired from day-to-day business, his two sons (aged 65 and 62) and his granddaughter (aged 32) have been in charge of the Evertz Group. The company now operates as a service provider in the steel industry from several European locations in addition to its headquarters in Solingen.

Even at the age of 90, the birthday boy still takes a keen interest in politics, sport and general current affairs. Above all, the company’s senior boss regularly receives updates on the business performance of his Evertz Group. And even at his advanced age, he has not quite lost interest in motor racing. Whenever he can, he keeps up to date on the telly to find out who and what is making a name for itself on the racetracks these days.

Speedweek offers its congratulations and wishes Egon Evertz many more eventful years. His feat of winning three different championships in a single season with one and the same car will almost certainly remain a record for the ages.