Klaus Ludwig

Klaus Ludwig (born 5 October 1949 in Bonn ) is a German racing driver. He is regarded as Germany's most successful touring car driver and is therefore also referred to as the "King Ludwig". Unlike his contemporaries Hans -Joachim Stuck, Rolf Stommelen, Harald Ertl, Hans Heyer and Jochen Mass, he never played with the exception of isolated testing a Formula 1 race. His son Luca is also a racing driver currently on the road and at the ADAC GT Masters.

Career

Louis drove in the 1970s touring car from Ford in the German Racing Championship. In the annual ranking he achieved in 1975 and 1976 respectively to second place. In 1979 he became a master, now on a Kremer Porsche 935th This racing car, which is based on the road car Porsche 911 Turbo, he also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in persistent rain a total victory against the faster thoroughbred sports prototypes. Also in 1981 he was re- DRM master, this time on a Zakspeed Ford Capri Turbo.

In the 1980s, he drove in endurance racing, the sports car Porsche 956 C Porsche 962 and won it twice again in Le Mans, this time for Joest Racing. However, he criticized the danger of this race, especially the extremely long and fast straight line, as well as the sports cars in general ( see Manfred angle Hock and Stefan Bellof ), and moved to the German Touring Car Championship, in which he responds to Ford Sierra Cosworth champion in 1988. In 1989 he had a serious accident at the Nürburgring when he was rammed backwards on the route standing at about 170 km / h frontal by Armin Hahne after a spin. Klaus Ludwig broke his arm in this accident - the worst injury of his career and for many years the worst accident in DTM history.

Later, Ludwig moved to Mercedes -Benz and in 1992 and 1994 DTM champion. After the end of the DTM and ITC, he followed in 1997 Mercedes -AMG in the FIA GT Championship.

After winning the GT World Championship 1998, he finished after a 29 years lasting racing career officially his career as a professional racing driver. However, if the opportunity arises to move on the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring a victorious performance race car, he sits still like to once again behind the wheel. Not least, he is nicknamed " King of the North Loop ", which is based on his successes on this legendary circuit. He also has a hunting ground in the area.

In 1999 he resigned for the local 24 -hour race of the resignation and won on the set of Zakspeed Chrysler Viper GTS -R for the third time.

In 2000, he took again as a professional once in the first season with the 'new DTM ' part. There he won at the age of 50 years than previously oldest winner of a DTM race the two races at the Sachsenring. After that season, he finished third overall his professional career again, but remained the DTM and Mercedes as a " taxi - driver " get.

In the years 2004, 2005 and 2006, he started for the team Jürgen Alzen Motorsport together with Uwe Alzen in the 24 -hour race at the Nürburgring- Nordschleife in a Porsche 996 GT2 Bi-Turbo (2004-2005 ) and Porsche 997 (2006 ). In 2007 he raced in an Aston Martin DBRS9.

In the seasons 2001 to 2006 Klaus Ludwig worked as a commentator for ARD in the rounds of the DTM. Although he officially announced his retirement from racing at the age of 60, he took in 2011 at the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring in a Porsche 997 part, but dropped out. In 2012, Klaus Ludwig was reported again, this time including with Nick Heidfeld on a Gemballa McLaren. When lapping a slower vehicle Ludwig retired after a serious accident just before the stretch " Sweden Cross" from the drivers were not injured. The accident sparked discussions on respect and mutual respect in races with different vehicle classes, as Ludwig has " non-existent gap " is used for overtaking and thus caused the serious accident a. Because abuse and assaulting his opponent in the accident, the seat pilots Dr. Klaus Weigner, Ludwig was also ordered to pay a fine of € 10,000. The DMSB has a "sport legal investigation " initiated. In this interview, Louis later explained that this was finally his last participation in a racing event.

Achievements

  • Winning 24 - hour race at Le Mans: 1979, 1984, 1985
  • Winning 24-hour race on the Nürburgring: 1982, 1987, 1999
  • FIA GT World Champion: 1998
  • DTM champion: 1988, 1992, 1994
  • DRM - Master: 1979, 1981

Le Mans results

Swell

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