Hans-Joachim Stuck Turns 75: Porsche 962 Endurance Star
Motorsport fans link Hans-Joachim Stuck’s name closely with the Porsche 962. In the mid-1980s, he began the most successful phase of his career in this car. He drove consistently fast over long distances, and he supplied precise setup notes. Those strengths made him a crucial part of the Porsche works team. On 1 January 2026, he will turn 75.
Fans know Hans-Joachim Stuck as “Strietzel” (a type of Bavarian honey cake), and they rank him among the most famous German racers of his time. He brought unique flair, an unmistakable driving style and a deep passion for endurance racing. He has left a lasting impact on international motorsport. On 1 January 2026, the long-time Porsche works driver will celebrate his 75th birthday. “Hans-Joachim Stuck has done a great deal for Porsche. His performances over long distances, in particular his success at the wheel of the Porsche 962, still count as some of the seminal moments in Porsche motorsport history,” says Thomas Laudenbach, Head of Porsche Motorsport. “We thank him for his dedication and wish him all the best for his 75th birthday.”
Hans-Joachim Stuck entered the world on 1 January 1951 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Officials granted him special dispensation, and he obtained his driving licence at 16. Motorsport ran in the family. His father, Hans Stuck, earned the nickname “King of the Mountains” at hill-climbing races in the 1920s and 1930s. Stuck contested his first race in 1969 in a BMW 2002 at the Nürburgring. He won the Nürburgring 24 Hours in 1970 in a BMW 2002. He claimed the German Racing Championship in 1972 in a Ford Capri RS. He finished runner-up in the European Formula Two Championship in 1974 in a March BMW 742. He won the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1975 in a BMW 3.5 CSL.
In the years that followed, he developed into a versatile driver and showcased his talent in formula racing, touring cars, and endurance racing. He raced in Formula 1 in 1977 and 1978, driving a Brabham-Alfaa and a Shadow-Ford Cosworth. He returned to Formula 1 in 1979 in an ATS Ford Cosworth, and he won the Procar series in a BMW M1. He took second place in the German Racing Championship in 1981 and 1983 in a BMW 320. He secured second place in the European Touring Car Championship in 1984 at the wheel of a BMW 635 CSi.
Stuck valued his years as a Porsche works driver in the 1980s. He achieved his most significant international successes at the wheel of the Porsche 962. He became the World Endurance Champion in 1985 in a 962C with his team-mate and close friend, Derek Bell, and he won the ADAC Supercup in 1986 and 1987. He also won the 12 Hours of Sebring in a 962 IMSA in 1986 and 1988. He won at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1986. He followed that result with another overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1987, also in a Porsche. He came second at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1988. These achievements cemented his reputation as one of the most outstanding endurance drivers of his generation, and they confirmed his importance to the Porsche works team at the time.
His career continued to deliver successes with Porsche and other brands. He won the German touring car championship in 1990 in an Audi V8 quattro. He became the IMSA Supercar Champion in 1993 in a Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6 IMSA Supercar. He won the Nürburgring 24 Hours in 1998 in a BMW 320 Diesel. He triumphed at the Nürburgring 24 Hours in 2004, and he won the Dubai 24 Hours in 2006. He added five class victories in the VLN Nürburgring in a BMW Z, four, and he claimed a class victory in the Nürburgring 24 Hours in a VW Scirocco in 2008. He completed his farewell race at the Eifel circuit three years later, in a team that included his sons, Johannes and FerdinandStuckk, racing a Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 PL600+. In 2021, the driver from Upper Bavaria finished runner-up in the GT2 European Series in a KTM X-Bow.
Stuck also stood out as a driver of development. He quickly adapted to new technical requirements and helped teams improve their cars. He delivered vital feedback during testing phases and supported key setup decisions. He and Porsche both drew lasting value from the Porsche 962, one of the most successful prototypes of its time. Those years shaped an essential chapter in the brand’s history, and they still matter today.
Stuck ended his active racing career in 2011, but he kept a strong connection to motorsport. He worked as an expert, became a sought-after guest at historic events, and served as a brand ambassador. He shared his experiences, anecdotes and enthusiasm with a broad audience. He brought the era to life with a lively approach to discussing its successes and challenges, and he became a valued figure on the scene. From 2012 to 2020, he served as President of the German Motor Sport Federation, and he advocated for young talent.
