Brausch Niemann

Ambrausus "Brausch" Niemann (born January 7, 1939): A South African racing driver from Durban who carved out a diverse motorsport career spanning both four wheels and two. Niemann's racing journey began in single-seaters, where he demonstrated considerable talent in Formula Junior during the early 1960s, a category in which he arguably achieved his greatest success as a driver. His Formula One career, though brief, saw him participate in two World Championship Grands Prix, both at his home South African Grand Prix in 1963 and 1965. Driving a privately entered Lotus, Niemann qualified for the 1963 race and finished in 14th position, though he failed to score any championship points.

His second attempt in 1965 proved less successful, as he failed to qualify. Despite limited success in Formula One, Niemann's versatility as a racer became apparent when he transitioned from cars to motorcycles. After competing in national sports cars and touring car events in South Africa, he made the bold decision to switch to enduro motorcycle racing in the late 1960s. This career change proved highly successful, culminating in Niemann winning the South African enduro motorcycle championship in 1979.

Beyond racing, Niemann became a Kawasaki dealer in South Africa before eventually relocating to Wales, where he established Gazelle Engineering, a manufacturing company specializing in motorcycle exhausts. His business acumen matched his racing talent, and Gazelle Exhausts grew into a respected brand. Today, the company continues to operate with bases in France and Thailand, headquartered in Ruffec, France. Niemann's story represents the journeyman racer who found success not in the glamorous world of Formula One, but through adaptability, determination, and the willingness to excel in multiple motorsport disciplines across different continents.