PETRONAS Syntium Team
2007 Super Taikyu Endurance Series - Tokachi 24Hrs Endurance Race

Driver Profile: Hans-Joachim Stuck

Born in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany, Hans-Joachim “Striezel” Stuck is the son of the legendary racing driver and hill-climb champion Hans Stuck. Professing that he caught the “fuel bug” early, Hans’ accomplished racing career spans more than three decades.

Hans received his first taste for racing when he was allowed to drive while accompanying his father to the Nürburgring at the age of 14. Following his competitive racing debut in 1969, Hans would storm onto the scene when he won the infamous Nürburgring 24-hours race the following year at just 19-years old. He would go on to win the Nürburgring race again in 1998 and 2004, each time with a BMW Touring car.

The 1970’s saw Hans compete in a variety of series chalking up results that included the Spa 24-Hours endurance race in Belgium and successful campaigns in the BMW 3.0 CSL “Batmobile” in 1974 and 1975 in the German DRM. Hans also competed in Formula 2 with a March-BMW, later taking to the world of Formula One with the March team with his 1973 debut in Argentina. Hans was also successful at Bernie Ecclestone’s Brabham-Alfa Formula One team in 1977. His career in Formula One saw Hans claim two podiums and 29 championship points.

Hans Stuck at the Tokachi 24-Hours race in July

At the same time he was racing in Formula 2 and Formula One, Hans was also busy in the touring and sports car races around the world with notable results. In addition to his three wins at the 24-Hours of Nürburgring, his long list of accolades also includes twice winning at the prestigious 24-Hours of Le Mans with Porsche in 1986 and 1987 and winning the 12-Hours of Sebring three times. Aside from being bestowed the honour of being the “German Driver of the Year” in 1985, Hans has also been crowned the German Champion twice in addition to being the US Champion and taking the drivers’ championship title in the German Touring Car Championship with Audi in 1990 along with race wins and podium finishes in races across both sides of the continent. After a long a successful drive with Porsche, Hans returned to BMW in 1998 while continuing work both on and off the track.

Nicknamed after a sweet pie, Hans “Striezel” Stuck is also known as the “rainmeister” for his ability to race in the wet. Complete with his trademark blue helmet with white stars, Hans’ accomplished racing career now includes his work with the new GP Masters Series in addition to his off-track appearances as a Formula One expert for a German television station and a presenter on a motor-racing talk show in Germany.

Hans with his son Johannes 

For more on Hans-Joachim Stuck go to http://www.hansstuck.com/en/

More
PETRONAS Syntium Team - A Profile 
The 2007 Super Taikyu Endurance Series  
The 2007 Driver Profile - Fariqe Hairuman   /   Masataka Yanagida
The BMW Z4M Coupe