Hans-Joachim Stuck's parents rang in the New Year on this day in 1951 by celebrating his arrival into the world.
Pre-war motorsport legend Hans Stuck contributed his genes and his passion to his son's genetic heritage, who would eventually put those attributes to good use in a diversified and rich career of his own.
Stuck junior made quite a name for himself in touring car racing and in Formula 2, serving his formative years in those categories before graduating to Formula 1 in 1974 with March.
However, for all his speed and outstanding car control, Stuck never succeeded in carving his niche in Grand Prix racing, achieving just two podium finishes during his five-year tenure in the sport, driving for March, Brabham, Shadow and ATS.
Stuck enjoyed greater success in sports car racing, winning the Le Mans 24 Hours twice as a works Porsche driver, in 1986 and 1987.
He officially retired from racing after a enjoying final stint in the 2011 Nurburgring 24 Hours driving a Reiter Engineering Lamborghini Gallardo, a car his shared with his sons Ferdinand and Johannes Stuck.
n April 2012, Stuck was appointed President of the German Motorsport Association.
