Rupert Hollaus

Rupert Hollaus (4 September 1931 – 11 September 1954) was an Austrian Grand Prix motorcycle road racer who competed for the NSU factory racing team. He is the only Austrian to win a road racing World Championship, and the first racer to do so posthumously.

Motorcycle racing career Hollaus was born in Traisen, Austria. He began his Grand Prix racing career in the 1953 season. In the 1954 season, he dominated the 125cc class by winning the first four Grands Prix. His victory at the 1954 Isle of Man TT was notable because he was one of only seven riders to have won an Isle of Man TT race in their first attempt.

Later that same year, Hollaus was killed during practice for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Hollaus became the first posthumous World Champion in 1954, in the 125cc class and was runner up to his NSU teammate, Werner Haas, in the 250cc class.

On 23 February 1955, Hollaus was elected as "Austrian Sportspersonality of the year 1954" (posthum).

Motorcycle Grand Prix results

Sources: Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 Points 8 6 4 3 2 1

(Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Class Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Points Rank Wins 1952 250cc Moto Guzzi SUI- IOM- NED- GER9 ULS- NAT17 0 — 0 1953 125cc NSU IOM- NED- GER- ULS- NAT- ESP3 4 9th 0 250cc Moto Guzzi IOM- NED- GER6 ULS- SUI- NAT- ESP- 1 15th 0 1954 125cc NSU IOM1 ULS1 NED1 GER1 NAT- ESP- 32 1st 4 250cc NSU FRA3 IOM2 ULS- NED2 GER2 SUI1 NAT- 26 2nd 1