JoachimWinkelhock

Early Career and Rise in German Motorsport

Joachim Winkelhock, born on October 24, 1960, is a distinguished German motor racing driver whose career spanned several decades and disciplines. His journey in motorsport commenced in 1979, participating in the one-make Renault 5 Cup. While his initial steps were modest, it would take nearly a decade for Winkelhock to achieve significant breakthrough success. This came in 1988, when, at the unusually mature age of 28 for a rising talent, he clinched the prestigious German Formula Three Championship. Demonstrating his prowess beyond national borders, he also secured the Formula Three European Cup in the same dominant year, firmly establishing himself as a formidable competitor in single-seater racing.

A Brief Foray into Formula One

Winkelhock's impressive performances in Formula Three paved the way for a progression into the pinnacle of motorsport, Formula One, in 1989. He joined the Automobiles Gonfaronnaises Sportives (AGS), a smaller French outfit, for what would prove to be a brief and challenging tenure. Paired with future touring car rival Gabriele Tarquini, Winkelhock's time in F1 was marked by considerable difficulty. Despite his prior successes, he consistently struggled to adapt to the demands of the F1 machinery and the competitive environment, failing to pre-qualify for a single race on seven separate occasions. This unsuccessful stint ultimately led to his replacement mid-season by Yannick Dalmas, concluding his Formula One aspirations prematurely.

Dominance in Touring Car Racing

Following his short and ultimately unfulfilled period in Formula One, Winkelhock transitioned to touring car racing, a discipline where he would truly excel and forge a lasting legacy. His reputation remained strong enough to attract the attention of BMW Motorsport, leading to his recruitment for Germany's premier touring car series, the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM). He competed for both the Bigazzi and later the Schnitzer teams, showcasing his talent and adaptability. During his three years in the series, Winkelhock secured three race victories and consistently finished within the top echelon of the championship standings, achieving sixth, seventh, and eighth place finishes. Beyond DTM, he also demonstrated endurance racing capabilities, winning the challenging 24 Hours of Nürburgring in both 1990 and 1991 for BMW and Schnitzer. When BMW withdrew from the DTM at the close of the 1992 season, Winkelhock continued his association with the manufacturer and the Schnitzer team, moving to the highly competitive British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). The 1993 season saw Winkelhock, alongside teammate Steve Soper, deliver a dominant performance in the first half of the championship. The BMW duo collectively secured seven victories from the initial eight rounds, with Winkelhock personally claiming four of those wins. Although the latter half of the season presented more significant challenges, resulting in only one additional victory, his consistent performance throughout the year was sufficient to crown him the British Touring Car Champion. During his time in Britain, he was affectionately known as "Smokin' Jo," a nickname that reportedly stemmed from his cigarette smoking habit. Winkelhock's success in touring car racing continued unabated across various international series. He secured the 1994 Asia Pacific Touring Car Championship, further solidifying his reputation as a global touring car talent. In 1995, he added the German Supertouring Championship (STW) title to his impressive resume. His endurance racing prowess was again evident with a triumph at the Spa 24 Hours in 1995, and he also achieved victories in the prestigious Macau Grand Prix Guia touring car races in both 1994 and 1998.

Le Mans Triumph and DTM Return

The pinnacle of Joachim Winkelhock's illustrious career arrived in 1999 with a monumental victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Driving the formidable BMW V12 LMR prototype, prepared and run by Schnitzer Motorsport, he achieved one of motorsport's most coveted endurance racing titles, marking a significant milestone for both himself and BMW. In 2000, Winkelhock returned to the revitalized Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM), a successor to the series he had previously competed in. Joining Opel, he demonstrated immediate competitiveness in his inaugural season of the new DTM, securing a victory at the Norisring and finishing a commendable fifth in the final championship standings. However, Opel's fortunes in the DTM experienced a downturn after 2000, which consequently impacted Winkelhock's results. After a challenging 2003 season where he managed to score only a single point, Joachim Winkelhock announced his retirement from motor racing at the age of 43, concluding a distinguished and versatile career.

Legacy and Post-Racing Life

Beyond his racing achievements, Joachim Winkelhock maintains a connection to the world of heavy machinery through his family's business. He currently runs a Waiblingen-based truck-crane and towing operation, occasionally getting personally involved in the recovery of crashed trucks. His impact on motorsport has been recognized through various accolades, including a special edition of the BMW M5 created in his honor. In a 2005 poll conducted by Motor Sport magazine, Winkelhock was voted the 16th greatest touring car driver of all time, a testament to his enduring skill and success in the category. He is also part of a notable racing dynasty, with his late older brother Manfred Winkelhock, his younger brother Thomas Winkelhock, and his nephew Markus Winkelhock (son of Manfred) all having pursued careers as racing drivers, cementing the family's deep roots in the sport.