Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Pays Tribute to Penske Racing's Karl Kainhofer on the Eve of His RetirementFifty Years of Motivation Racing PR MONTVALE, N.J. (Sept. 15, 1997) -- Karl Kainhofer is one of the many people that share the 1997 PPG CART World Series manufacturer's championship with Mercedes-Benz. As the man responsible for the assembly, preparation and upkeep of Marlboro Team Penske's Mercedes-Benz racing engines which powered three of Mercedes' eight PPG Cup wins and two of its five pole positions so far this season, Kainhofer has played an integral role in the title. The Marlboro 500, at California Speedway, in Fontana, Calif., Sept. 28, will be Kainhofer's last race as vice president and general manager of Penske Racing. Although Roger Penske's very first employee remains characteristically reticent as his 50-year racing career comes to a close, his dedication, drive and meticulous approach inspires others to speak on his behalf. "Never Strayed from Perfection" Born in Graz, Austria, Kainhofer became an apprentice mechanic at the age of 16, getting his first taste of motorsports while accompanying his boss to motorcycle races. By 1956, Kainhofer had become an accomplished Porsche specialist, servicing engines and gearboxes on factory and customer racing cars all over Europe. Two years later, he moved to the United States, under a two-year contract with Porsche's U.S. affiliate. In April of 1959, Kainhofer met Roger Penske at a race in Vineland, N.J. Kainhofer prepared Penske's Porsche RSK, impressing the young driver -- who would later become the most successful Indy car team owner in history -- with his thoroughness and attention to detail. The two worked together on and off until 1966, when Penske founded his racing business and hired Kainhofer as the team's first employee. "Karl really started things off," said Penske, founder and president of Penske Corporation and a partner with Mercedes-Benz in Ilmor Engineering, the race engine-building arm of Mercedes. "He set the standard for attention to detail, cleanliness and regimentation, which is carried on throughout the whole racing team today. He never strayed from perfection, and in the engine area, his reliability record is unmatched. He's a good friend and a major contributor to our company's success." That success is marked by a record 99 wins in Indy car racing for Penske and Kainhofer. In 1977, Kainhofer became the manager of the Penske Racing engine shop, and for the last nine years, in addition to his engine work, he has served as vice president and general manager of Penske Racing in Reading, Pa. Birthday with the Dyno Racing, perhaps more than any other, is a sport for overachievers. Dedication and personal sacrifice are essential, and the burnout rate is high. For 50 years, Kainhofer not only survived in this high-pressure industry, but flourished, earning a reputation for unparalleled devotion to duty -- even among the most die-hard of racers. Paul Morgan, co-founder of Ilmor Engineering with Mario Illien, and a man given to long work hours himself, can tell many stories of Kainhofer's dedication, including one about a period in the development of the Mercedes-Benz "pushrod" engine, which powered Al Unser Jr. to the pole and the win at Indianapolis in 1994, marking Mercedes' triumphant return to Indy car racing. Under pressure to get the engines ready for competition, Kainhofer stayed at the factory for three consecutive days and nights. "Karl ran the guys in shifts, making sure that they each got to bed at least once a day, but he never left, never complained, never even batted an eye," said Morgan. Another of Morgan's illustrative recollections about his association with Kainhofer involves late-night engine testing: "On at least two occasions, I've sat in the dyno with Karl on the eve of his birthday (May 13) working late, trying to get engines ready. At midnight, Karl will look at his watch, shrug and say, ‘Pretty good way to start a birthday,' and continue on with his work. I guess he's getting full value out of his birthdays!" Kainhofer's dedication to racing did not come at the expense of family, however. At 66, he has been with his wife Elfriede for 36 years, and together they have raised three children: Greg, 35, Isabella, 33, and Petra, 28. The eldest, having inherited his father's competitive spirit and desire to win, now works with Penske Racing in the shock absorber department. The Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Team thanks Karl Kainhofer for his contributions to the 1997 manufacturer's championship effort and congratulates him on 50 years of excellence. Kainhofer's dedication to excellence mirrors the more than 100 years of Mercedes-Benz motorsport success that continues today. Mercedes-Benz is the only engine manufacturer to power race wins during 1997 in the PPG CART World Series, FIA GT and Formula One championships. Championship Numbers Teamwork is the secret to Mercedes-Benz' success in 1997. No one team or individual stands out statistically, making Mercedes' CART Manufacturer's Championship even more meaningful. The depth, strength and reliability of the Mercedes teams are shown by the following numbers:
Four and Three Make Eight Three of the Four With Two or More Mercedes-Benz has powered three of the four drivers that have recorded two or more wins in 1997 (Tracy, Moore and Blundell). First for Three Mercedes-Benz has powered each of the three first-time winners in 1997 (Moore, Blundell and Gugelmin). Best and ‘Mo'st "Big Mo" Gugelmin, who has a race win and two poles, has the best qualifying average of any CART driver in 1997, and has completed the most racing miles (3,280) of any CART driver. Six outta Seven Six of the seven Mercedes drivers have scored podium (top three) finishes in 1997, while six of the seven have scored manufacturer's points for Mercedes in the first 16 races. Six of the seven have also led 39 laps or more this year. Two and Two Mercedes-Benz has scored multiple race wins with two different chassis (Penske, Reynard) and with both Firestone and Goodyear tires. 18 of 19 A Mercedes-powered car has finished second or better in 18 of the last 19 CART races. In 50 CART races in the modern era, Mercedes has finished sixth or better in every race. ONE! All of these statistics add up to one thing: Mercedes-Benz is the 1997 CART Manufacturer's Champion.
Racing Photos |
Racing Art |
Real Audio 
|
