Condor Articles

Discover the remarkable career of Hans-Joachim Stuck, one of motorsport’s most versatile and charismatic racing drivers. From his early days racing the Nürburgring Nordschleife to victories at the Nürburgring 24 Hours and Spa 24 Hours, Formula 1, IMSA, and the legendary BMW M1 Procar Series, Stuck built a reputation for speed, courage, and versatility. This first part of his story explores his rise as a BMW factory driver, his relationship with Jochen Neerpasch, and the defining races that established Hans-Joachim Stuck as a true icon of international motorsport.

Underneath its understated styling, the E12 featured sophisticated multi-link front suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, and a curb weight of roughly 3,200 pounds. In six-cylinder form, it was powered by BMW’s robust M30 inline-six engine, capable of producing up to 180 horsepower. The combination of balance, durability, and straight-line performance quickly caught the attention of touring car teams across Europe.

At its peak in popularity, it’s hard to overstate just how important touring car racing was to motorsport enthusiasts. In the 1980’s and 90’s, series like the DTM, BTCC, ITCC and ETCC held a place in racing fans’ hearts rivaling even Formula 1. Manufacturers such as Mercedes, Volvo, Alfa Romeo, Audi and Ford all fielded factory teams in that time period, battling for supremacy against perhaps the most iconic touring car brand of all time, BMW.

In addition to being one of the most iconic global automotive brands, BMW has historically built engines for an intriguing and diverse roster of customers. From Formula cars to top-secret supercar projects, BMW was a popular and unique choice for those seeking well-engineered and highly sophisticated power units. Their reputation for this, however, often goes overlooked, perhaps overshadowed by the many great cars they have built on their own.

Amid a true modern renaissance for global sportscar racing, BMW of North America celebrated its 50th birthday earlier this year. In honor of this Golden Anniversary, I wanted to reflect on this iconic partnership formed in a time of chaos and uncertainty within the automotive industry.