Ernst Degner

Record type: Motorsport Biographies

Biography: Age 30, Ernst Degner is a works rider and tester from the East Germany factory in Zschopau, and was German Champion in 1957.

His list of successes that year is most impressive, with seven firsts and a third in the 125 c.c. class and a third in the 250 c.c. He won the Saar Grand Prix and the smallest capacity races at Tubbergen, Nurburgring, Zandvoort, Norisring, and Sachsenring. He also won the Czech Grand Prix.

In 1958 he was entered for both Lightweight T.T. races. He was a non-starter in the "250", but finished fifth in the "125" on his M.Z., collecting a Silver replica. He was third in the German G.P., fourth in the Ulster and fifth in the Swedish. He closed his season's racing by winning the 125 c.c. class of the East German Grand Prix.

Coming over to the T.T. again in 1959, his luck was dead out, for he retired on the 9th lap of both Lightweight and 125 c.c. races. He had various wins and places on the Continent. however, including a first in the 125 c.c. Czechoslovakian Grand Prix, and a first in the 125 c.c. Italian, with a second in the "250." Last year he won 125 c.c. races at Imola and the Austrian and Saar G.P.'s. with another first in the 250 c.c. "Austrian," but he was a non-starter in both Lightweight T.T.'s.

Ernst did well, however, in several Continental events, winning the 125 c.c. class of the Belgian, East German and Czechoslovacian Grands Prix, with several seconds and thirds at other meetings. Last month he won both 125 and 250 c.c classes of the Austrian Grand Prix, and the 125 class of the Saar Grand Prix, whilst in the German Grand Prix he won the 125 c.c. class and was fourth In the "250." He was second in the 125 c.c. class of last Whit Sunday's French Grand Prix. Degner's hobby is music, in particular that of Mozart.
(TT Special, 12 June 1961, p. 22)

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Nationality: German

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