SSR Performance with Engelhart and Ammermüller at the Lausitzring in the ADAC GT Masters in the final sprint for the championship

In the ADAC GT Masters 2020, SSR Performance GmbH leads the team classification two race weekends before the end
Stefan Schlund, Managing Director SSR Performance GmbH: “We will continue to give everything in the in the final sprint for the ADAC GT Masters 2020 title.”
Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart are, subject to an appeal decision, only one point behind the lead second in the drivers’ standing

Munich, 28 October 2020 – The SSR Performance GmbH team was celebrating the second place and the championship lead in the drivers’ standings at the last tenth round of the ADAC GT Masters 2020 at the Red Bull Ring. But after a competitor protested about an alleged violation, the two were downgraded to fourth place. The team immediately appealed against this decision, so that the result and scores are subject to an appeal decision. The SSR pilots Michael Ammermüller and Christian Engelhart are therefore currently one point behind the lead second in the driver’s championship, while SSR Performance GmbH is leading the team ranking. The races 11 and 12 originally planned in Zandvoort have been moved to the Lausitzring again from October 30th to November 1st due to the current COVID-19 situation in the Netherlands.

The 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 weekends of the ADAC GT Masters, had already a successful start of the season on the Lausitzring with a second place in the first and fourth place in the second race. The new team from SSR Performance GmbH from Munich immediately established itself in the top group of the ADAC GT Masters 2020. “We never imagined in our wildest dreams to be able to fight for the title after two season wins and more top results in our first year in the championship. We will continue to give everything in the ADAC GT Masters in the final sprint for the 2020 title,” promises Stefan Schlund, Managing Director of SSR Performance GmbH from Munich. After the race in Zandvoort had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 situation in the Netherlands, the ADAC GT Masters will again be at the Lausitzring from October 30th to November 1st. This time, however, a track version that is around one kilometer longer will be used, which, like the sprint version used at the start of the season, consists of parts of the oval course and the winding infield. Christian Engelhart is looking forward to another trip to the Lausitz: “I have extremely good memories of the Lausitzring. In 2012, Nick Tandy and I managed to win both races on the race weekend!” While spectators are not allowed on the track due to the measures taken to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus, fans can watch the races on Saturday (October 31) from 3:15 p.m. and on Sunday (November 1) from 3:00 p.m. live on Sport1. As a service for fans, SSR Performance offers an exclusive online shop (www.ssr-performance.de/shop).

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].

Championship standings after 10 of 14 rounds: *

Drivers:

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

Teams:

SSR Performance, 135 points
Rutronik Racing, 132 points
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.

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 Lausitzring 2 (D)

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

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