Un poco loco – he’s a bit crazy, this Felix Klinck. That’s certainly what a longtime companion says about “El Klincko,” who is competing in his second season in the IDM Pro Superstock 1000 on a Kawasaki this year. Yet off the racetrack, the likable native of Baden has led a rather down-to-earth life. After attending a traditional high school, he went on to study engineering, with his master’s thesis focusing on renewable energy.
But when it comes to racing, everything suddenly changes. Felix gained his first experience on a Pocketbike at a young age, but then switched to karting, where he even became German champion in 2007. After winning the title and subsequently moving up to the 125cc kart class, however, the financial burden and time commitment became so great that racing was no longer compatible with life outside of motorsports.
An ADAC introductory training session then brings the ambitious racer back onto the motorcycle. This is followed by participation in the ADAC Junior Cup, the Klassik Trophy, and the German Series Sports Championship, and finally, via the Twin Cup, entry into the IDM. After two runner-up titles on a Kawasaki Z 650 in the Cup, Felix moves up to Pro Superstock in 2022 with Niklas Pfeiffer’s team and has been battling for top finishes on a ZX-10R ever since.
In this episode of “Slicks and Sunglasses,” you’ll find out what lessons the 27-year-old has learned from two decades of racing on two and four wheels, why he’s skipping road races despite having a team with Isle of Man experience, and why he’d definitely compete in excavator races!