Hans Klenk

Hans Klenk (28 October 1919 - 24 March 2009): German racing driver from Künzelsau who started flying glider aeroplanes in 1930 at age 11 before serving as a Messerschmitt 109 fighter pilot in World War II. After the war he became an engineer in Stuttgart and first raced in a self-built 'Eigenbau' Special before buying a Veritas Meteor from Karl Kling. He participated in one World Championship Grand Prix on 3 August 1952, driving his own Veritas Meteor S6 at the German Grand Prix at Nürburgring, qualifying 8th and finishing 11th four laps behind winner Alberto Ascari. His greatest success came in sports car racing—he won the 1952 La Carrera Panamericana with Karl Kling despite their car striking a vulture that shattered the windscreen and knocked Klenk unconscious.

His pace notes for that race were the first example of what have become modern rally pace notes. In the 1952 Mille Miglia they led by eight minutes at Rome but finished second after brake failures. A severe crash while testing a 300SL for Mercedes effectively ended his career. He later became head of Continental Tyres racing division before working in their Public Relations department.