©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc.
Karl Kainhofer is one of themany people that share the 1997 PPG CART World Series manufacturer'schampionship with Mercedes-Benz. As the man responsible for the assembly,preparation and upkeep of Marlboro Team Penske's Mercedes-Benz racingengines which powered three of Mercedes' eight PPG Cup wins and two of itsfive pole positions so far this season, Kainhofer has played an integralrole 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 ofPenske Racing. Although Roger Penske's very first employee remainscharacteristically reticent as his 50-year racing career comes to a close,his dedication, drive and meticulous approach inspires others to speak onhis behalf.
"Never Strayed from Perfection"
Born in Graz, Austria, Kainhofer became an apprentice mechanic atthe age of 16, getting his first taste of motorsports while accompanyinghis boss to motorcycle races. By 1956, Kainhofer had become anaccomplished Porsche specialist, servicing engines and gearboxes on factoryand customer racing cars all over Europe. Two years later, he moved to theUnited 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 inhistory — with his thoroughness and attention to detail. The two workedtogether on and off until 1966, when Penske founded his racing business andhired Kainhofer as the team's first employee.
"Karl really started things off," said Penske, founder andpresident of Penske Corporation and a partner with Mercedes-Benz in IlmorEngineering, the race engine-building arm of Mercedes. "He set thestandard for attention to detail, cleanliness and regimentation, which iscarried on throughout the whole racing team today. He never strayed fromperfection, and in the engine area, his reliability record is unmatched. He's a good friend and a major contributor to our company's success." Thatsuccess is marked by a record 99 wins in Indy car racing for Penske andKainhofer.
In 1977, Kainhofer became the manager of the Penske Racing engineshop, and for the last nine years, in addition to his engine work, he hasserved 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 ishigh. For 50 years, Kainhofer not only survived in this high-pressureindustry, but flourished, earning a reputation for unparalleled devotion toduty — even among the most die-hard of racers.
Paul Morgan, co-founder of Ilmor Engineering with Mario Illien, anda man given to long work hours himself, can tell many stories ofKainhofer's dedication, including one about a period in the development ofthe Mercedes-Benz "pushrod" engine, which powered Al Unser Jr. to the poleand the win at Indianapolis in 1994, marking Mercedes' triumphant return toIndy 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 atleast once a day, but he never left, never complained, never even batted aneye," said Morgan.
Another of Morgan's illustrative recollections about hisassociation with Kainhofer involves late-night engine testing: "On at leasttwo 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 willlook at his watch, shrug and say, ÎPretty good way to start a birthday,'and continue on with his work. I guess he's getting full value out of hisbirthdays!"
Kainhofer's dedication to racing did not come at the expense offamily, however. At 66, he has been with his wife Elfriede for 36 years,and together they have raised three children: Greg, 35, Isabella, 33, andPetra, 28. The eldest, having inherited his father's competitive spiritand desire to win, now works with Penske Racing in the shock absorberdepartment.
The Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Team thanks Karl Kainhofer for hiscontributions to the 1997 manufacturer's championship effort andcongratulates him on 50 years of excellence. Kainhofer's dedication toexcellence mirrors the more than 100 years of Mercedes-Benz motorsportsuccess that continues today. Mercedes-Benz is the only engine manufacturerto power race wins during 1997 in the PPG CART World Series, FIA GT andFormula One championships.
Championship Numbers
Teamwork is the secret to Mercedes-Benz' success in 1997. No oneteam or individual stands out statistically, making Mercedes' CARTManufacturer's Championship even more meaningful. The depth, strength andreliability of the Mercedes teams are shown by the following numbers:
Four and Three Make Eight
Mercedes-Benz has powered four different drivers (Paul Tracy, Greg Moore,Mark Blundell and Mauricio Gugelmin) with three different race teams(Penske, Forsythe and PacWest) to eight race wins so far in 1997. Hondaand Ford have each powered only two winners.
Three of the Four With Two or More
Mercedes-Benz has powered three of the four drivers that have recorded twoor 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 bestqualifying average of any CART driver in 1997, and has completed the mostracing miles (3,280) of any CART driver.
Six outta Seven
Six of the seven Mercedes drivers have scored podium (top three) finishesin 1997, while six of the seven have scored manufacturer's points forMercedes in the first 16 races. Six of the seven have also led 39 laps ormore 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 19CART races. In 50 CART races in the modern era, Mercedes has finishedsixth or better in every race.
ONE!
All of these statistics add up to one thing: Mercedes-Benz is the 1997 CARTManufacturer's Champion.
Source: Mercedes-Benz