The 2018 season went incredibly well for Daniel Kartheininger: ninth overall in the IDM Superbike 1000 standings, a podium finish at Zolder, and he finished 12 out of 14 races. The 25-year-old from the Allgäu region has put his rough years behind him.
After getting back on track with the MPB Racing Team on a Yamaha, Kartheininger is switching to HPC-Power Suzuki for 2019 and will be riding the GSX-R 1000 R going forward. The bike has proven itself. The team’s previous regular rider, Dominic Schmitter, won the Swiss Championship on this bike. In the IDM Superbike 1000 class, he finished fourth and was the top “non-BMW rider.” Team manager Denis Hertrampf is pleased: “The level of competition among the teams is high, and the field of riders is strong. I’m grateful to Dominic and my young team of mechanics for getting the bike set up so well.”
Daniel Kartheininger is an ideal candidate as a driver. Hertrampf has known him for years, though he hasn’t worked with him yet. “But with our approach to the sport, our team spirit, and our experience, we’ll create an environment for Daniel where he can showcase his driving skills,” Hertrampf assures us, adding, “I expect that with him on board, we’ll be competing for top finishes.”
Daniel Kartheininger is already impressed with his new bike. Expectations are high. “As the second-best bike in the championship, the GSX-R 1000 has proven its potential. Of course, we’ll need some time to tailor the Suzuki to my riding style. That’s why it’s a real advantage for us that we were able to finalize our partnership with HPC-Power so early on.”
The first rider for 2019 has thus been signed. There’s room for a second one. Talks are already underway. And what about Dominic Schmitter? He has decided to compete in the Swiss Championship for another year. That’s where the IDM fourth-place finisher had won the title.