ADAC GT Masters Nürburgring: First season win for SSR performance with Ammermüller and Engelhart

ADAC GT Masters Nürburgring: First season win for SSR performance with Ammermüller and Engelhart

• On the second race weekend of the ADAC GT Masters 2020 at the Nürburgring, SSR Performance celebrates its first victory with Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart
• Stefan Schlund, Managing Director of SSR Performance GmbH: “This is absolutely amazing, many thanks to the entire team and our drivers, who have withstood the pressure of the pursuers at the top.”
• Team boss Wolfgang Hatz: “It’s incredible, second race weekend, first victory in the third race – our hard work has paid off.”

Nürburgring/Munich, 16 August 2020 – Second race weekend in the ADAC GT Masters 2020 for the SSR Performance GmbH team – and the first victory for Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart with their Porsche 911 GT3 R at the Nürburgring! In the championship standings, the SSR Performance GmbH team defended the second interim position after two race weekends.

The fast and experienced GT racing drivers Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart, who take turns at the steering wheel of the up to 550 hp SSR Porsche 911 GT3 R on the ADAC GT Masters race weekends (which each consist of two races), continue to impress in the probably most demanding racing series for GT3 sports cars. After a second and fourth place at the season opener at the Lausitzring, the champagne corks popped only two weeks later on the Nürburgring after the first victory for the newcomer team which is based in Munich.

After Michael Ammermüller won the Pirelli Pole Position Award in the first qualifying session and put the SSR Porsche 911 GT3 R on the first position of the grid, everything went smooth in the race, as Christian Engelhart reported: “Michael did a great job in the first qualifying, now it was just a matter of bringing this position home. I couldn’t afford to make any mistake.” During the race, Engelhart and Ammermüller defended their lead and Michael Ammermüller was more than happy:“ Almost unbelievable, second race weekend – first victory. The team provided us with a really great car.” Stefan Schlund, Managing Director of SSR Performance GmbH from Munich was also full of praise:“ This is absolutely amazing, I would like to thank the whole team. Big compliments to our drivers, who over the entire race withstood the pressure from the pursuers.” Team boss Wolfgang Hatz added:“ We worked hard all weekend – it was really worth it. ”

For the fourth race, however, the chances were not so favorable. Due to the regulations, the SSR Porsche 911 GT3 R had to load an additional 30 kilograms of successful weight. Christian Engelhart nevertheless finished seventh in the second qualifying. The race stewards moved the SSR Porsche 911 GT3 R five positions back after a decision due to an allegedly offense at the restart in the first race, so that Engelhart was only allowed to start the race in twelfth place. In a turbulent early phase, Christian Engelhart went briefly off the track and fell back to 22nd place. In the end, Michael Ammermüller finished the fourth race in 16th position – as a consolation, the SSR Porsche 911 GT3 R can unload the 30 kilograms of additional weight again for the next race weekend in Hockenheim. *

Results Round 3 ADAC GT Masters Nürburgring (D):

1. Michael Ammermüller/Christian Engelhart, SSR Performance, Porsche 911 GT3 R, 1:02:38.398 h
2. Maro Engel/Luca Stolz/, Toksport WRT, Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, +0.717 sec.
3. Patric Niederhauser/Kelvin van der Linde, Rutronik Racing, Audi R8 LMS, +5.299 sec.
4. Klaus Bachler/Simona de Silvestro, KÜS Team75 Bernhard, Porsche 911 GT3 R, +6.111 sec.
5. Mick Wishofer/Dorian Boccolacci, Zakspeed Team BKK Mobil Oil Racing, Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, +7.048 sec.

Results Round 4 ADAC GT Masters Nürburgring (D):

1. Robert Rennauer/Sven Müller, Precote Herbert Motorsport, 1:02:36.542 h
2. Charles Weerts/Dries Vanthoor, Team WRT, Audi R8 LMS, +7,948 sec.
3. Franck Perrera/ Albert Costa Balboa, GRT Grasser Racing Lamborgini Huracán GT3E, +9.557 sec.
4. Rolf Inneichen/Mirko Bortolotti, Team WRT, Audi R8 LMS, +10,350 sec.
5. Michael Ammermüller/Christian Engelhart, SSR Performance, Porsche 911 GT3 R, +30,913 sec.

Championship standings after 4 of 14 rounds:

Drivers:

1. Maro Engel and Luca Stolz, 74 points each
2. Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart, 59 points each
3. Robert Rennauer and Sven Müller, 50 points each
4. Charles Weerts and Dries Vanthoor, 45 points each
5. Kelvin van der Linde and Patric Niederhauser 43 points each

Teams:

1. Toksport WRT, 75 points
2. SSR Performance, 63 points
3. Precote Herberth Motorsport, 56 points
4. Team WRT, 49 points
5. Montaplast by Land Motorsport, 37 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