ADAC GT Masters Red Bull Ring: Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart and SSR Performance conquered the team championship lead

• On the fifth race weekend of the ADAC GT Masters 2020, Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart took the team championship lead
• With only two race weekends left, SSR Performance is in a strong position in the fight for the championship
• Stefan Schlund, Managing Director of SSR Performance GmbH: “Consistency and speed are the secret of our success – I have to pay a huge compliment to the drivers and the entire team.”

Red Bull Ring/Munich, 17 October 2020 – With a much-acclaimed second place in a turbulent 200th ADAC GT Masters race, Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart (SSR Porsche 911 GT3 R) took the championship lead in the drivers’ and team standings. After the race, however, a competitor protested about an alleged infringement in the starting phase, and the two were downgraded to fourth place. The team immediately appealed, so that the result and scores are subject to appeal. As the next event weekend in Zandvoort was cancelled due to the fight against the spread on the COVID-19 virus, the ADAC GT Masters will again be at the Lausitzring from October 30th to November 1st.

Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart take turns at the steering wheel of the up to 550 hp SSR Porsche 911 GT3 R on the ADAC GT Masters race weekends (each consisting of two races). In the qualifying for the first race at the Red Bull Ring in Styria, Austria Christian Engelhart struggled with the changeable weather conditions, after the initially wet track finally dried up, so that the main task was to get the tread less slick tires up to temperature. At the end, Engelhart was able to position the SSR Porsche 911 GT3 R in the tenth position on the grid for the race on Saturday. In the race, Christian Engelhart had a good start with his SSR Porsche 911 GT3 R and after the first lap, he was able to improve from position ten to seventh place. Thanks to the strategically smart decision to make the obligatory driver change at the end of the time window available for the mandatory pit stop, Engelhart was able to set some quick lap times when there was less traffic on the track. Michael Ammermüller took over the wheel of the GT racing car and conquered a fifth place after thrilling duels. “My start was great, we had a very good pit strategy, we stayed outside longer and were able to move forward afterwards – we can be satisfied with fifth place as a result,” said a happy Christian Engelhart and experienced Michael Ammermüller added: “We showed a constant performance and again gained important points for the championship – our toughest title opponents were almost all behind us in the race! ” In the second qualifying for the Sunday race, Michael Ammermüller achieved with the SSR Porsche 911 GT3 R the eigth quickest time. From this position, he started into the 200th race in the history of the ADAC GT Masters. After an excellent start, Ammermüller conquered after a tense fight the third place. Following an accident-related safety car phase, he was able to defend this position. Christian Engelhart was able after another smooth mandatory pit stop to defend the third place. Because some competitors received time penalties for various infringements, the error-free, constant and fast driving Engelhart was classified at the end in second place in the 200th ADAC GT Masters race. “That was just a great weekend, Michael Ammermüller laid the foundation for second place on Sunday thanks to his sensational start. The car was a real rocket, many thanks to the entire team,” said Engelhart happily. As a result, Christian Engelhart and Michael Ammermüller were able to take the lead in the driver and team standings for SSR Performance GmbH in the series for GT sports cars. Stefan Schlund, Managing Director of SSR Performance GmbH from Munich, smiled all over his face after the race: “After this great result I am almost speechless, happy and proud of the team! We can now achieve something really great with our young team. ” Team boss Wolfgang Hatz added: “I am incredibly pleased that we are now leading both championships. Today, especially towards the end of the race, we showed that our car was the fastest! What makes me really proud that the drivers and everyone in the team were able to deliver a top performance even under difficult conditions. The 20 kilos successful weight we have to upload in our car will of course be noticeable in the next race, so it will be really important to get as many points as possible. ”

After the race, however, a competitor protested about an alleged infringement in the starting phase, and the two were downgraded to fourth place. The team immediately appealed, so that the result and scores are subject to appeal. *

Results Round 9 ADAC GT Masters Red Bull Ring (D):

1. Henric Skoog/Nick Yelloly, Schubert Motorsport, BMW M6 GT3, 1:01:34.997 h
2. Robert Rennauer/Sven Müller, Precote Herbert Motorsport, Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO, +8.112 sec.
3. Erik Johansson/Jens Klingmann, MRS GT-Racing, BMW M6 GT3, +13.287 sec.
4. Franc Perera /Albert Costa Balboa, GRT Grasser Racing Lamborgini Huracán GT3E, +13.593 sec.
5. Michael Ammermüller/Christian Engelhart, SSR Performance, Porsche 911 GT3 R, +25.870 82
6. Philipp Ellis/Raffaele Marciello, Knaus Team HTP-Winward, Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO, +26.256 sec.

Results Round 10 ADAC GT Masters Red Bull Ring (D): *

1. Erik Johansson/Jens Klingmann, MRS GT-Racing, BMW M6 GT3, 1:02:59.110 h
2. Luca Stolz/Maro Engel, Toksport WRT, Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, +4,645 Sekunden
3. Franc Perera /Albert Costa Balboa, GRT Grasser Racing Lamborgini Huracán GT3E, +4.858 sec.
4. Christian Engelhart/Michael Ammermüller, SSR Performance, Porsche 911 GT3 R, +6,584 sec.*
5. Henric Skoog/Nick Yelloly, Schubert Motorsport, BMW M6 GT3, +10.520 sec.
6. Max Hofer /Christopher Haase, Montaplast by Land Motorsport, Audi R8 LMS GT3, +13.661 sec.

Championship standings after 10 of 14 rounds: *

Drivers:

1. Kelvin van der Linde and Patric Niederhauser, 129 points each
2. Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart, 128 points each
3. Maro Engel and Luca Stolz, 123 points each

Teams:

1. SSR Performance, 135 points
2. Rutronik Racing, 132 points
3. Toksport WRT, 130 points

*Results round 10 and championship standings subject to appeal

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 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.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

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 Lausitzring 2 (D)

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

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