Paul Friedrichs
Encyclopedia
Paul Friedrichs (born March 21, 1940 in Buchholz
) was an East German motocross
racer. He won three consecutive FIM
500cc motocross world championships from 1966 to 1968.
Friedrichs grew up in Mecklenburg
where he joined the motor sports clubs MC tractor Franzburg, MC Dynamo Rostock / Sportvereinigung (SV) Dynamo. With the training offered by the clubs, he developed into one of the best motocross and Enduro
riders of his time. In 1965, he finished in second place in the 500cc world championship, behind Jeff Smith
, before claiming his first world title in 1966 as a member of the ČZ
factory motocross team. He successfully defended his crown in 1967 and 1968, before falling to third place in the 1969 championship. Friedrichs finished second to Roger De Coster in the 1972 500cc world championship. Friedrichs also competed in the 1972 International Six Day Trial
as a member of the East German national team that finished second to the powerful Czechoslovakian national team.
Buchholz, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Buchholz is a municipality in the Mecklenburgische Seenplatte district, in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany....
) was an East German motocross
Motocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
racer. He won three consecutive FIM
Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme
The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme is the governing body of motorcycle racing. It represents 103 national motorcycle federations that are divided into six regional continental unions....
500cc motocross world championships from 1966 to 1968.
Friedrichs grew up in Mecklenburg
Mecklenburg
Mecklenburg is a historical region in northern Germany comprising the western and larger part of the federal-state Mecklenburg-Vorpommern...
where he joined the motor sports clubs MC tractor Franzburg, MC Dynamo Rostock / Sportvereinigung (SV) Dynamo. With the training offered by the clubs, he developed into one of the best motocross and Enduro
Enduro
Enduro is a form of motorcycle sport run on courses that are predominantly off-road. Enduro consists of many different obstacles and challenges...
riders of his time. In 1965, he finished in second place in the 500cc world championship, behind Jeff Smith
Jeff Smith (motorcyclist)
Jeffrey Vincent Smith MBE is a former world champion motocross racer.His achievements include two FIM 500cc Motocross World Championships , two British Trials Championships, multiple British Experts Trial wins, four individual race wins in the Motocross des Nations, one Scottish Six Days Trial win...
, before claiming his first world title in 1966 as a member of the ČZ
Ceská Zbrojovka Strakonice
Česká zbrojovka is a Czech firearms manufacturer also known for making ČZ motorcycles. ČZ was established as a branch of the Škoda Works Armament in Strakonice, Czechoslovakia in September 1919.-History:...
factory motocross team. He successfully defended his crown in 1967 and 1968, before falling to third place in the 1969 championship. Friedrichs finished second to Roger De Coster in the 1972 500cc world championship. Friedrichs also competed in the 1972 International Six Day Trial
ISDE
ISDE may stand for:*Institute for Space and Defense Electronics, a research facility at Vanderbilt University*International Six Days Enduro, a motorcycle event*International Society of Doctors for the Environment, an environmental organization...
as a member of the East German national team that finished second to the powerful Czechoslovakian national team.