Farewell Bimbo! – We say goodbye to a real racing driver’s heart
An original from Duisburg
Heinz Friedrich Peil – known as Bimbo because of his curly hair – lived in Oberhausen with his wife Karin until his death. Together they had a daughter named Bianca. Bimbo had been a passionate racing driver and active table tennis player in Oberhausen for decades. His open manner quickly made him a valued friend.
Ein brennendes Herz für den Rennsport
Bimbo lived out his passion for racing with total dedication for decades. He celebrated early successes as a champion in the Lancia A112 Abarth Cup, and later also as a participant in the VW Golf GTI Cup.
He was a familiar face in the Endurance Cup at the Nürburgring (VLN) – always driving Opel cars from Kissling Motorsport, in which he contested numerous races and took victories.
“”I got to know Bimbo there, where I wanted to race with him. We’ve been friends ever since”
Entries in the DTM – Full throttle despite the lack of factory support
His skills also took him into the DTM, then still the German Touring Car Championship. He drove for Kissling Motorsport:
• Volvo 240 Turbo in the then DPM 1984 (German Production Car Championship)
• Opel Kadett E 2.0l 8V and 2.0l 16V in the DTM season from 1985-1988
But despite his talent and commitment, he was denied the big stage: unfortunately, Bimbo had not made it through the Opel Motorsport side sighting, or was not selected back in 1988. He was the one who had to compete on old and used tires and was therefore inferior to the later works drivers Volker Stycek, Peter Oberndorfer and Markus Oestreich. As a result, Bimbo continued to race with various E cadets at the Nürburgring in the VLN for Kissling Motorsport from Oberhausen.
A real helper – and friend for life
We are losing a friend, a technician who always helped. We will never forget our towing trip in 1989 on the last section of the A1 to the Nürburgring, where we broke down with our VW LT, trailer with our Opel Kadett D 1.3l Group H on the back and Bimbo passing us. He shot past with the Kissling FIAT Ducato, his Kadett also on the trailer in tow. But Bimbo couldn’t just drive on! He tied our team to his right-hand trailer mudguard bracket and off we went! A hell of a drive through the Eifel, strapped in with a Schlupp and a distance of 2m between our LT and his trailer with the Kadett. But we got there, even if there was a bang when we drove through the old paddock at the Ring, because Bimbo hit it so hard that the mudguard came off his trailer!
Those who knew him knew that they could rely on him – both in the pit lane and on the highway.
One last reunion and one last wish
Our last meetings were at the premiere of our Opel Kadett E 16V as a partial replica of his 1988 DTM Kadett at the Techno Classica 2023 and the Motorshow Essen 2024. We had numerous conversations with him because he would have liked to drive the Kadett again as part of the OGP at the Nürburging, or at least do a few demo laps. Unfortunately, this wish remained unfulfilled.
A farewell that hurts
With Bimbo, we are losing more than just a racing driver. We are losing a true Duisburg original, a fighter, a person who went through life with passion, humor and honesty. His legacy lives on in every bolt of his old Cadett – and in the hearts of those who knew him.
Our deepest sympathy goes out to his wife Karin, his daughter Bianca and everyone who appreciated him.
“Good luck, Bimbo. You were a racing driver through and through – and a friend for life.”
In memory of Bimbo Peil
Vielen lieben Dank für die wunderbaren Worte.
Ich war oft mit meinem Bruder auf den Rennstrecken als sein Schrauber unterwegs. VW Scirocco Cup, Lancia A 112 Cup
usw. Slalom und Rallye haben wir zusammen bestritten.
Es war die schönste Zeit für mich.
Ruhe in Frieden lieber Bruder.
Unser Beileid an deinen Verlust.
So teilt man noch schöne Geschichten ..