Karl-Günther Bechem (German pronunciation: [kaʁl ˈɡʏntɐ ˈbɛçəm]; alias: "Bernhard Nacke"; 21 December 1921 – 3 May 2011) was a racing driver from Germany.

Karl-Günther Bechem
Born(1921-12-21)21 December 1921
Died3 May 2011(2011-05-03) (aged 89)
Formula One World Championship career
NationalityGermany German
Active years19521953
Teamsnon-works BMW, non-works AFM
Entries2
Championships0
Wins0
Podiums0
Career points0
Pole positions0
Fastest laps0
First entry1952 German Grand Prix
Last entry1953 German Grand Prix

Bechem started out in sports car racing before competing in Formula Two in the 1952 German Grand Prix, driving a BMW under the alias "Bernhard Nacke". He failed to finish the race, and so did not score any World Championship points. He continued driving an ex-Karl Gommann AFM-BMW (chassis 50–5) in Formula Two in 1953, at AVUS and then in the German Grand Prix at Nürburgring, again failing to finish. He was more successful in sports car racing with the Borgward team.

In 1954 Bechem crashed heavily while competing in the Carrera Panamericana, and although he recovered fully from his injuries, he never raced again at this high level.

Bechem in his AFM F-50 after a victory at the Norisring in 1951

Complete World Championship results

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(key)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 WDC Points
1952 "Bernhard Nacke" BMW Eigenbau BMW Straight-6 SUI 500 BEL FRA GBR GER
Ret
NED ITA NC 0
1953 Günther Bechem AFM 50-5 BMW Straight-6 ARG 500 NED BEL FRA GBR GER
Ret
SUI ITA NC 0

Sources

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