Dieter Quester

Dieter Quester (born 30 May 1939): Born in Vienna, Austria, Dieter Quester is a racing driver whose remarkable career has spanned multiple decades and disciplines, from speedboats and motorcycles to becoming a BMW touring car legend. Quester's motorsport journey began unusually in speedboat racing during the late 1950s, where he won two European Championships in his class before transitioning to motorcycle racing. He took up car racing in 1964 through hillclimbing and joined BMW one year later in 1965, beginning a partnership that would define his career. Quester became part of BMW's Formula 2 team, which intended to participate in the 1969 German Grand Prix.

However, tragedy struck when teammate Gerhard Mitter was killed at the Nürburgring while practicing with the BMW 269. With a suspension or steering failure suspected, the BMW team withdrew Quester and Hubert Hahne from the race. Quester's sole Formula One World Championship appearance came at his home 1974 Austrian Grand Prix on 18 August 1974, driving for Surtees. He out-qualified his three Surtees teammates and finished ninth ahead of Hans-Joachim Stuck and two-time World Champion Graham Hill, though outside the points.

He then returned to his true calling in touring cars. Quester achieved legendary status in the European Touring Car Championship, winning multiple titles: the 1968 and 1969 championships in a BMW 2002 TI, the 1977 championship in an Alpina BMW 3.5, and the 1983 championship in a Schnitzer BMW 635 CSI. One of his most successful seasons came in 1973, when he scored victories in two of motorsport's greatest endurance races: the Spa 24 Hours and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, both in BMW touring cars.

Throughout his career, Quester participated in an astounding 53 24-hour races, accumulating over 600 race starts and more than 250 podium finishes. His dedication to the sport remained unwavering well into his later years. Quester took part in his final race at the HSR Classic Daytona in November 2018 at the remarkable age of 79, cementing his status as one of touring car racing's most enduring and successful competitors. His contributions to BMW's motorsport success and his longevity in racing make him one of Austria's most celebrated racing drivers.