Lion heart

Volker Schinkmann doesn't just win. He laughs in the face of death as he shoots across the finish line in first place on his RC8.

Racing rules, despite a life-threatening kidney disease.

"I just have to time them." Them? They are the often almost helpless downward spirals from medicines to side-effects, family bliss to the cold reality of dialysis and pain attacks to hospitalisation. But they, they are also the long nights in the workshop with his friend and co-rider Stefan Höfle from KTM Heilbronn. And more than anything, they are the successful rides in KTM RC8 territory, or in other words, on the race track. Extremely successful rides.

Volker 'Schinki' Schinkmann, doctor, 32, father of two. For him, the most amazing natural wonder that most people take for granted has always been of extreme importance. His circulatory system is pumping at full force, his thoughts circulate around racing. Dangers? He knows exactly what a highside feels like and how long the pain lasts from a nasty bruise. He also knows the feel of constant life-threatening danger. He lives with it every day.

Volker Schinkmann suffers from acute kidney disease, a condition that rules great parts of his life. Also a condition that he accepts as part of his life. And one that he deals with as pragmatically as possible so that he can follow his passion. Racing means living. Living life to the full. After all, that's what life's for. He has always been someone who looks on the positive side of things, not with wide-eyed optimism, but with the smiling acknowledgement that you can make your own luck: "Motorcycling is dangerous, and crashes happen, especially when you're pushing it to the limit. That's why it's so important to understand the vehicle dynamics, the chassis, the riding techniques and the ergonomics." According to Volker, the better you understand, the quicker your lap times and the safer the riding experience. It's no wonder that he's one of the best instructors when you want to learn to tackle the bumpy road ahead. And it's no wonder that he's got bite. In racing and in life.

Motorcycling runs in the family - his father was a bike fanatic too. As a young hothead, Volker got a side job at the German motorcycle magazine PS where he discovered the joys of working with motorcycles and that precise tuning and riding techniques often make a decisive difference.

The 6"1 beanpole perfected his riding skills on small motorcycles, completed his first laps on an

Aprilia RS 250, won the MZ Cup, got faster and faster, and established himself as a great semi-

professional motorcyclist. Meanwhile, he also studied medicine, graduated, started a family and became

a father of two. He then, years ago now, received the grave diagnosis that will continue to define his life. However, it hasn't kept him from following his racing carrier.

In 2008, this career led him to Stefan Höfle and KTM Heilbronn. In the same year, the two riders showed their opponents the power of the KTM RC8, with Volker winning the ADAC Conti Challenge ¬– the first championship title ever won on an RC8. This was followed in April 2009 with victory in the 1,000 kilometre race at Hockenheim. On the RC8, Volker and his co-rider Stefan were victorious in their class over no less than the former superbike champions Toni Heiler and Peter Linden on Ducati, followed by a whole armada of speedy Twins that strove for victory on the prestigious German race course. Volker conciliated: "It was a complete team effort. The RC8 is super quick with a streamlined design, as word is slowly getting round. And Stefan is extremely fast anyway."

Is it all really that simple? Of course Stefan is fast and no-one needs to convince us here at KTM of the RC8's potential but Volker's role still needs special attention. When he fights for positions, he does so literally between nausea and a strict medication schedule, between almost unbearable pain attacks and overwhelming fatigue. From a medical perspective, the condition that has been ruling his life for years requires tranquillity, permanent dialysis, regular complicated operations and constant hospitalisation.

Many others would feel emptiness, confusion and despair. But Schinki? Despite only being fit for short periods between treatments, he still races round the almost 500 km endurance test at Hockenheim on his monstrous superbike and leaves even the fastest behind him on the final sprint. And then? He's more exhausted than a healthy person could ever imagine. Possibly the hardest type of energy efficiency. That's why the KTM community hold him in their deepest respect and awe – this guy takes courage to a whole new level.

"Ah, you know, it really isn't anything special. Of course I had to rest but I get more energy from racing than I do from my recovery period. It builds me up. I've no choice but to live with my illness, but why should I let it spoil my life? I simply have to be more focussed when planning and riding, and maybe that's why I'm riding better than ever, and having even more fun doing so." What more is there to add? Just "Keep it up Schinki, racing rules!" But you already know that...