Christof Höfer

Christof Höfer, born on July 3, 1990 in Reiskirchen (Hesse, Germany), is a German motorcycle racer, coach, and entrepreneur known by the nickname “Fifty” (derived from his racing number 73, which he stylizes as “Fifty-Three”). Standing at 187 cm tall and weighing 90 kg, Höfer entered professional racing relatively late—at the age of about 25—and sacrificed over 60 kilograms of body weight to meet the physical demands. He entered the sport through amateur races and cup series, driven by an unbridled passion for motorcycles and the motto “Ride & Enjoy” and “#doitwithpassion.” Höfer, who lives in Reiskirchen and enjoys handball as a hobby (along with steak and vegetables as his favorite foods), quickly established himself as a talented endurance and sprint rider. He primarily rode BMW models such as the S 1000 RR and R nineT racers, often in teams with a strong focus on development and teamwork. His career spanned national series such as the IDM (International German Motorcycle Championship) and international events in the FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC), supplemented by cup races such as the BMW Motorrad BoxerCup. Höfer was never a pure “sprint specialist,” but excelled in endurance racing, sharing stints with riders such as Horst Saiger and Daniel Puffe. In 2021, he announced a “shift down” after achieving key goals such as the German Endurance Cup title—a milestone that underscored his transformation from an “ordinary citizen” to a professional. Today, he heads the F73 Academy, a racing and training academy that he runs as founder and CEO, and is committed to developing young talent as an instructor. His philosophy: Racing is about feeling, gratitude, and harmony, not just about winning. Höfer is a father, married, and balances his life between adrenaline and family, with a website ( www.fifty-racing.de ) documenting his journey. By 2025, he had competed in over 100 races, including highlights in Europe and Asia, and inspired many newcomers through podcasts and interviews.

Important racing successes

Höfer’s successes include titles in Cup series, podium finishes in the IDM, and strong EWC performances. He hasn’t won any world championship titles, but he has contributed to several championships as a team player. Here’s an overview of the highlights (not exhaustive; based on verified sources, focusing on milestones):

Notes on his success: Höfer has achieved approximately 20 race wins and over 50 podium finishes, with strengths at tracks such as Hockenheim and Oschersleben. His BoxerCup successes in 2019 made him BMW Driver of the Year in the Cup class. In the IDM, he was consistently in the top 10 but never a champion—instead, he was an endurance specialist. After 2021, he reduced his starts to devote himself to the Academy.

Contract with Penz13 and races during this time

In 2018, Christof Höfer had a project-based collaboration with the BMW team Penz13.com, integrated through the partner team GERT56 by rs speedbikes. Penz13, led by Rico Penzkofer and a specialist in BMW endurance racing (including the 2012 Superstock World Championship winner), provided expertise, setup, and support for the BMW S 1000 RR. The “contract” was not an exclusive full-time deal, but rather a season-long collaboration for the EWC Superstock class, in which Höfer competed as a regular rider alongside Horst Saiger and Daniel Puffe. This was Höfer’s EWC debut and served as a basis for further development; Penz13 officially lists him as a “Penz13 Racing Team rider.” The partnership ended after 2018, as Höfer prioritized the IDM and BoxerCup – no extension was agreed.

Racing with Penz13/GERT56 (2018): Höfer participated in only one EWC race, focusing on Le Mans as his entry point. Other events (e.g., Bol d’Or) were contested by other drivers.

• 24 Hours of Le Mans (April 21–22, 2018): 14th overall, 5th in Superstock (#56 BMW S 1000 RR). Line-up: Horst Saiger, Daniel Puffe, Christof Höfer. Strong qualifying; Höfer took over the night stints with consistent pace (fastest race laps around 1:40); solid finish despite tire wear and electronics issues. Penz13 highlighted Höfer’s reliability – a milestone for his endurance career.

This cooperation cemented Höfer’s reputation as a team player and contributed to GERT56’s strong Superstock season.

What is he currently doing? 

As of September 2025 (current date: September 26), Christof Höfer (35 years old) is no longer active as a full-time racer. After his 2021/22 IDM break, he has shifted his focus to his F73 Academy, which he runs as a racer, coach, and entrepreneur. The Academy offers training camps, simulator sessions, and mentoring programs for motorcycle enthusiasts (e.g., the 2025 Winter Camp with topics such as “state of mind” and gratitude). Höfer regularly posts on Instagram about projects such as filming (e.g., at Bänninger Kunststoffprodukte in June 2025) and events at the Automotodrom Grobnik, emphasizing harmony and “good feelings.” He is an instructor at Werk2 Racing Team by MCA (BMW S 1000 RR), occasionally tests, and hosts podcasts about getting started in racing. No race starts announced for 2025; Instead, he’s focused on business growth (e.g., partnerships with the Bemer Group) and family. Höfer enjoys the “life afterward”: “A feeling full of gratitude, happiness, abundance, and contentment” – racing is now a passion, not a job. Rumors of a guest appearance in the 2026 IDM are circulating, but nothing concrete.