• After a successful season opener of ADAC GT Masters 2020 at the Lausitzring by drivers Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart, SSR Performance holds second position in team’s championship
• Stefan Schlund, Managing Director of SSR Performance GmbH: “We are looking forward to races 3 and 4 of what is probably the most demanding series for GT sports cars.”
• Team boss Wolfgang Hatz: “Our young team worked very well right from the start, now we want to attack again at the Nürburgring.”

Munich, 12 August 2020 – The motorsport division of the SSR Performance GmbH team was able to set its first exclamation mark at the Lausitzring during the start of the ADAC GT Masters 2020 season: After an excellent second place in the first race, just 0.7 seconds behind the winners, Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart brought their Porsche 911 GT3 R home in fourth in race two. As a result of these top results, the SSR Performance GmbH team arrives at the championship rounds 3 and 4 at the Nürburgring (August 14-16) as second in the championship classification.

The fast and experienced GT racing drivers Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart take turns on the racing weekends of the ADAC GT Masters (which each consist of two races) at the steering wheel of the up to 550 horse powers strong SSR Porsche 911 GT3 R. How well the two sports car specialists work as a driver pairing, became obvious right from the start of the season. After finishing second in the first race, Ammermüller and Engelhart conquered a good fourth place in the second heat despite the additional 20 kilograms of success weight, which the SSR Porsche 911 GT3 R had to carry due to the regulations.

Team boss Wolfgang Hatz is looking forward to the upcoming race weekend: “We are allowed to unload the 20 kilograms of additional weight for race 3 at the Nürburgring – that should further improve our chances.” Michael Ammermüller emphasizes: “The fight for the top positions is incredibly close, with the first 15 drivers in both Lausitzring qualifying sessions within half a second. If you make the slightest mistake, you are immediately dropping back! ” And Christian Engelhart adds:“ The key to success is perfect teamwork. That was the case with our young team right from the start, our pit stops worked precisely.”

Fans can watch the races on Saturday (August 15) from 13h05 and on Sunday (August 16) from 13h10 live on Sport1.As a special service for fans, SSR Performance GmbH is now offering an exclusive online shop at https://ssr-performance.de/shop/. The first customers will receive fan articles on request that have been signed by Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart. *

Championship standings after 2 of 14 rounds:

Drivers:

1. Maro Engel and Luca Stolz, 45 points each
2. Michael Ammermüller und Christian Engelhart, 33 points each
3. Charles Weerts and Dries Vanthoor, 25 points each
4. Kelvin van der Linde and Patric Niederhauser, 21 points each
5. Christopher Haase and Max Hofer, 18 points each

Teams

1. Toksport WRT, 45 points
2. SSR Performance, 33 points
3. Montaplast by Land Motorsport, 26 points
4. Team WRT, 25 points
5. Percote Herberth Motorsport, points

The young and dynamic, Munich based SSR Performance GmbH was founded by a motorsport and car enthusiast.  The exclusive car conversion company had an exciting start into the year 2020. After moving into a new high performance automotive centre in the north of the Bavarian capital, where six floors with around 10,000 square metres of usable area are available, SSR Performance’s motorsport division is competing the ADAC GT Masters 2020. During the two-race format weekends of ADAC GT Masters, the fast and proven GT-racers Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart share the cockpit of the up to 550-horse power strong SSR Porsche 911 GT3 R.

“For us, this high-profile race series is the best possible showcase to demonstrate our competence in motorsports and sports cars,” says Stefan Schlund, CEO of the SSR Performance GmbH. Michael Cap, Head of Motorsports & Events adds: “We are happy to have with Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart two extremely fast and experienced GT-specialists driving for our team.” Wolfgang Hatz is the Team Director of SSR Performance for ADAC GT Masters season.

For the SSR Performance GmbH, motorsport is an essential part of its DNA. The company has already made itself a name with building, enhancing and optimizing sports and classic cars and now takes on the challenge of the ADAC GT Masters 2020.

At a glance: Michael Ammermüller

In 2007, today 34 years old Michael Ammermüller was very close to landing a seat in Formula One. But when he broke his scaphoid, this dream went down the drain – and a certain Sebastian Vettel was signed by Toro Rosso. But to give up was never an option for Ammermüller. He put his focus on GT racing. In 2008, he made his debut in the Porsche Carrera Cup, in 2012 followed by ADAC GT Masters. After two second places in the German Porsche series in 2014 and 2018, he started to shine in the international Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. He dominated the series in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and set a title hat trick. Ammermüller lives in Rotthalmünster in the very south of Germany in Bavaria.

At a glance: Christian Engelhart

33 years old Christian Engelhart from Starnberg started his motorsport career in kart racing, before he competed in the German Formula BMW series and had two successful years in the Austrian Touring Car Championship. Then, he changed to GT sports and entered the German Porsche Carrera Cup, becoming three times vice champion. In 2012, his first full season in the ADAC GT Masters, he finished third overall. In 2017, Engelhart became champion of the Blancpain GT Series, two years later he came second in ADAC GT Masters. In his career, the professional GT race driver and driving coach achieved 43 victories and 166 podium positions. Among his career highlights are, besides the title wins in the Blancpain GT and GT Endurance Championship, victories at the Rolex 24 hours of Daytona and the 24 hours races in Dubai and Zolder.

At a glance: Wolfgang Hatz

Just in time before the season’s start, the young and promising motorsport team of SSR Performance GmbH could secure the services of one of the most experienced top-managers in motorsports. Wolfgang Hatz is not only the mastermind behind the successful Porsche LMP1 projects, which led to three victories at the legendary 24 hours race in Le Mans and three World Endurance Championships in a row. He also collected in other motorsport categories up to Formula One vast experience and multiple successes. From 1983 up to 1989 Hatz worked as an engineer for research and development in the powertrain department of BMW and was responsible as project leader for the development of the legendary M3 engine S14. After that, he joined Porsche and until 1993 led the Formula One development. After several leading positions with different car manufactures, he returned to Porsche in 2011 as Board Member for Research and Development and led the LMP1 program of the Stuttgart based brand.

For its maiden ADAC GT Masters season, the young team of SSR Performance can rely on the support of the experienced specialists from Manthey Racing.

Fun on the race track – track days with professional support

Everybody, who wants to enjoy pure racing feeling, is invited to the track days of SSR Performance GmbH. Experienced racing professionals like Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart are assisting as instructors. Thanks to the comprehensive support at the race track, the customer can fully concentrate on driving. For more information concerning the event calendar visit the web site www.ssr-performance.de or contact SSR Performance via mail at [email protected].

At a glance: The drivers of SSR Performance for the ADAC GT Masters 2020

Driver:                   Michael Ammermüller                                                       Driver:                   Christian Engelhart

Born:                      14/02/1986                                                                          Born:                      13/12/1986

Age:                       34                                                                                          Age:                       33

Lives in:                 Rotthalmünster (DEU)                                                       Lives in:                 Starnberg (DEU)

At a glance: The SSR PORSCHE 911 GT3 R 991.2

Based on the 991.2 series, Porsche developed the 911 GT3 R for GT racing. Compared to the successful predecessor, the model features even more advanced aerodynamics and kinematics. The six-cylinder boxer engine with a displacement of 4.0 litres delivers up to 550 hp, depending on the respective race series’ rules. The power is transferred to the rear wheels by a six-speed gearbox operated by paddle shifters. The car weighs in at 1,235 kgs.

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The calendar of the ADAC GT Masters 2020

31 July – 02 August:                    ADAC GT Lausitzring (D)

14 – 16 August:                            ADAC GT Masters Nürburgring (D)

18 –  20 September:                    ADAC GT Masters Hockenheim (D

02 – 04 October:                           ADAC GT Masters Sachsenring (D)

16 – 18 October:                           ADAC GT Masters Red Bull Ring (A)

30 October – 01 November:       ADAC GT Masters Zandvoort (NL)

06 – 08 November:                      ADAC GT Masters Oschersleben (D)

Download link: https://ssr-performance.de/presse/presseportal/ Passwort: ssrmedia