Benz 50 hp "Prince Heinrich" car, 1909

After the end of the first Prinz-Heinrich-Fahrt, the participating amateur drivers as well as the specialised press and interested public regretted that almost all the prizes were won by so-called factory drivers in special touring cars. These points of criticism were addressed in the regulations for the 1909 Prinz-Heinrich-Fahrt by introducing a handicap for factory drivers and very precise regulations regarding the bodywork of the participating vehicles.

The second Prinz-Heinrich-Fahrt was held from 10 to 18 June 1909 over a distance of 1858 kilometres on the route Berlin–Wroclaw–Tatra–Lomnicz–Vienna–Salzburg–Munich. There were 108 participants, including eight Benz special touring cars with a nominal output of 20 hp/15 kW (engine capacity 2413 cc) and 50 hp/37 kW (engine capacity 5701 cc). Fritz Erle, Carl Neumaier and Fritz Lauffer competed in the three 5.7-litre cars with chain drive.

The overall winner was Wilhelm Opel in an Opel, second was Willy Pöge's Mercedes driven by Alfred Vischer; the best-placed Benz, a 2.4-litre car with 20 hp driven by Edward Forchheimer, only managed fourth place.