Michal Filla

Michal Filla, born on October 11, 1981 in the Czech Republic, is a former Czech motorcycle racer with the number 55, who made a name for himself through his strength in the Superstock and Endurance disciplines. At 43 years old (as of September 2025), Filla began his career in the 2000s in Czech national series and quickly established himself as an endurance and Superbike talent. He grew up in a motorcycle-enthusiastic environment and made his debut in local cups around 2005, inspired by Czech pioneers such as Karel Hanika. Filla, who lives in the Brno region, is a trained mechanic and balances the sport with his job, intensive training, and family (married, father). His motto: “Your life, your race – no risk, no glory” – a principle that reflected his risk-taking but precise riding style. He expanded his international portfolio from 2011 to the FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) Superstock class, where he competed for the Penz13.com team from 2011 to 2013, contributing to the team’s 2013 Superstock Cup title win. He later competed in the IDM Superstock 1000 (Germany) and the Czech Superbike Championship, primarily on BMW S 1000 RRs and Suzuki GSX-R1000s for teams such as Van Zon Boenig Penz13.com and local outfits. Filla excelled at teamwork, sharing lineups with riders such as Grégory Fastré, Arie Vos, and Pedro Vallcaneras. His career spanned over 50 races, with a focus on 8/24-hour events such as Doha, the Bol d’Or, and Le Mans. Highlights included podium finishes in the EWC and IDM victories. After 2014, things quieted down; He took a break from 2015 to 2016 and returned briefly in 2017 before retiring. With successes such as the 2013 EWC Superstock title, Filla is a “Czech Endurance Pioneer”—today a mechanic and mentor for young Czech riders. His philosophy: “Racing is teamwork and discipline”—leads to a legacy as a reliable stint rider.

Important racing successes

Filla’s career is marked by EWC podium finishes and national victories in Superstock. He won the 2013 EWC Superstock Cup title. Here’s a summary of the highlights (not exhaustive; based on EWC, IDM, and Czech SBK results):

Notes on success: Filla’s 2013 EWC Superstock title with Penz13 is his greatest triumph; the 2012 Bol d’Or (3rd) and 2011 Doha (top 10) are highlights. IDM/Czech SBK: Top-5 consistency; career ended around 2017. No world championship titles, but team contributions were crucial.

Contract with Penz13 and races during this time

In 2011, Michal Filla signed a multi-year contract with the German BMW team Van Zon Boenig Penz13.com (managed by Rico Penzkofer), which ran until 2013 and focused on the FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) Superstock class. The deal included races such as the 8 Hours of Doha (2011), Bol d’Or (2012), and the 24 Hours of Le Mans (2013) on the BMW S 1000 RR (#13). Penz13, supported by BMW Motorrad HP RaceSupport, chose Filla for his Czech precision and stamina, complementing lineups with riders such as Grégory Fastré, Arie Vos (2011), Pedro Vallcaneras and Fastré (2012), and Michael Savary and Claude Lucas (2013). The contract marked Filla’s international breakthrough and led to the 2013 Superstock Cup title; He contributed tactical stints and benefited from perfect bike setup (e.g., by Gordon Unger). The collaboration ended after 2013, as Filla prioritized national series; Penz13’s timeline (penz13.com) lists him as a key player in winning the title.

Racing with Penz13 (2011–2013): Filla participated in selected EWC races; the team achieved top-10 finishes and the title.

• FIM EWC – 8 Hours of Doha (November 12, 2011): Top 10 (8th overall, Superstock) (#13 BMW S 1000 RR). Line-up: Filla, Grégory Fastré, Arie Vos. 216 laps in 8:03:28.100; Solid race with consistent stints; first Penz13 highlight.
• FIM EWC – Bol d’Or (September 15–16, 2012): 3rd place in Superstock (#13 BMW S 1000 RR). Line-up: Filla, Pedro Vallcaneras, Grégory Fastré. Second podium finish; took the overall lead with 3rd place; consistent pace.
• FIM EWC – Oschersleben (July 7–8, 2013): Superstock class victory (#13 BMW S 1000 RR). Lineup: Filla, Michael Savary, Claude Lucas. Crucial for the title fight; top qualifying.
• FIM EWC – 24 Hours of Le Mans (September 21–22, 2013): Superstock Cup winner (#13 BMW S 1000 RR). Line-up: Filla, Michael Savary, Claude Lucas. Title defended with 68 points (11 points ahead); 7th qualifying (1:39.587 average); dominant race.

The partnership was triumphant – Penz13’s 2013 title benefited from Filla’s consistency; his Doha, Bol d’Or, and Le Mans contributions were essential.

Current and future plans

As of September 28, 2025 (age 43), Michal Filla has been retired from racing since 2017 – his last race was a guest start in the IDM Superstock 1000. He lives in the Czech Republic and works as a mechanic (unconfirmed, based on background). No current races or public activities; social media inactive since 2014. He may be involved locally as a mentor (e.g., Brno camps, unconfirmed). Privately, he prioritizes family: “No risk, no glory” – his last Instagram quote suggests a calmer future.

Future plans: Filla isn’t planning a comeback—instead, he’s pursuing a private life and a possible role as a mechanic in Czech teams (from 2026 onward). No public goals; “Racing is a thing of the past”—implied by inactivity. No active involvement: “Family first.”