Until the late 1970's, Hans was involved in car building. He kept links to the sport via historic festivals and interviews and also flew (he was a Messerschmitt 109 fighter pilot in World War Two) and sailed, but he was also head of Continental Tyres racing division for a while, working closely with Mercedes, before working in their Public Relations division. Klenk started racing as a means to test out his own built special Formula 2 car. He then became a close friend of Karl Kling and the two took a notable win at the 1952 Carrera Panamericana in their Mercedes 300SL, where Klenk showed his prowess as a navigator, preparing and recording copious notes to help his colleague, becoming the first European to do so. Klenk started flying glider aeroplanes in 1930, aged only 11, before starting aeroplane and automobile technology studies before the War intervened. Hans founded an engineering business, constructing BMW sportscars, which included Germany's very first Formula 2 car. Klenk retired from full-time racing due to injury.

Biography last updated 3 May 2023