Hans was born in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, on 1st January 1951, son of Christa-Maria and Hans Stuck, a famous racing driver and hill-climb champion.
"I always really enjoyed accompanying my father to his races. I found it fascinating how the racing cars were prepared, and was always very excited when my father rolled up to the starting line. It goes without saying that I was incredibly proud whenever he won. I remember being at a hill-climb race in Freiburg. I was watching from the finish line at the top of the hill, waiting for the times to be announced. Once again he managed to set the best time. I distinctly remember what his colleagues said: 'How can we beat this old fart?' I was unbelievably proud."
Hans-Joachim Stuck's father, Hans Stuck (1900-1978), was a very successful racing driver and hill-climb specialist. During his 40-year career, he racked up 411 wins and numerous second places, including seven Grands Prix victories. He set numerous land and water speed records and built the famous AFM racing car together with engineer Alex von Falkenhausen. In recognition of his many victories in hill-climb races he was nicknamed the "King of the Hills". He raced until he was 62 years old, and won his final German hill-climb championship at the age of 60 (in a BMW 700). Hans' father was also an accomplished alpine ski instructor and excellent golfer.
Here, Hans remembers his father...
"My dad was a good friend to me. He gave me the talent to become a racing driver and he helped me a lot. He was not only a successful racer, but also a good and fair sportsman. He taught me a lot of the things that helped me in my career."
"I remember all the events, and even up to today, I have never met anyone who has told me a bad story about my dad. This is something I admire very much, because it is pretty difficult not to make any enemies in a racing career spanning 40 years."
"Then it got serious for him. Hans Peter Köpchen (BMW tuner) asked my father whether I could drive in my first race for him at the Nürburgring. This was a very difficult decision for my father. He knew full well the risks and demands involved in racing. Thank goodness he gave me permission to compete in my first race (a 300km race on the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring in 1969, behind the wheel of a BMW 2002TI). As a father of two sons, I am now fully aware of how he must have felt when I lined up for the first time as an 18-year-old. Those were the days; no seatbelt, no fireproof overall, trainers and a good deal of courage."
Hans at home
Hans is the father of Johannes-Emanuel and Ferdinand-Alexander (from his second marriage to Regina). Ferdinand lives in Italy with his mother, and Johannes is studying in Munich, but they spend long vacations with their father. And Hans is there for every special occasion in their lives.
Hans married his soul mate, international model Sylvia Berg, in 1999. They met at the Frankfurt auto show and Hans was immediately smitten. Hans and Sylvia live in the Austrian Alps. They share a love of golf, skiing, jogging, workouts and games. But Hans says his favourite hobby remains his two sons, Johannes and Ferdinand.