This 1979 original poster, designed by E. Koch, was created to promote the Motorcycle Grand Prix of Germany (Großer Preis von Deutschland), a round of the FIM World Championship, held on 6 May 1979 at the legendary Motodrom Hockenheim. Issued for one of Europe’s most prestigious racing circuits, the poster captures the raw intensity and spectacle of late-1970s Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
The composition is dominated by a dramatic, close-quarters battle between three sidecar racing teams, painted in sweeping, kinetic brushstrokes that convey extreme speed and physical strain. The riders lean low into the turn, bodies extended, faces tense behind visors, while the sidecars skim the tarmac. The foreground machine surges forward in red and black, pulling the viewer directly into the action. Behind, the grandstands and control tower rise above the track, situating the scene unmistakably at Hockenheim and reinforcing the event’s international stature.
Bright commercial signage—Yamaha, Castrol-Erzquell Cup, and other racing emblems—anchors the poster in its era, reflecting the growing professionalization and sponsorship culture of world championship motorsport during the 1970s. The bold red headline typography contrasts sharply with the cool blues of the sky and track, giving the poster strong visual impact and instant readability from a distance.
Both a sporting document and a striking graphic artwork, this poster stands as a vivid testament to the golden age of European motorcycle racing. It embodies the excitement surrounding the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim and remains a highly evocative collectible for enthusiasts of motorsport history, racing posters, and post-war graphic design.
Original Poster
Sport - Automobile - Motorcycle - Germany
Good condition, creases
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