View source for Grasser Racing Team

{{infobox motor racing team
|name             = {{flagicon|AUT}} Grasser Racing Team
|logo             = File:DTM 2023 Spielberg Nr. 63 Schmid (2).jpg
|founded          = 2011
|base             = [[Sankt Margarethen bei Knittelfeld]], [[Styria]]
|principal        = Gottfried Grasser
|current series   = [[Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters]]<br />[[GT World Challenge Europe]]<br />[[ADAC GT Masters]]
|former series    = [[DMV GTC]] <br /> [[Euro GT Series]]<br /> [[IMSA SportsCar Championship]]<br /> [[24H Series]]
|current drivers  ={{flagicon|GER}} [[Luca Engstler]]<br>{{flagicon|GER}} [[Christian Engelhart]]<br>{{flagicon|GBR}} Hugo Cook<br>{{flagicon|ITA}} Mateo Llarena<br>{{flagicon|KUW}} Haytham Qarajouli<br>{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Marco Mapelli]]<br>{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Franck Perera]]<br>{{flagicon|USA}} [[Taylor Hagler]]<br>{{flagicon|GER}} Jannik Julius-Bernhart<br>{{flagicon|CHI}} Benjamín Hites<br>{{flagicon|GER}} Tim Zimmermann 
|website          = http://www.grasser-racing.com/
|driver titles    = [[Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup]] <small>([[2017 Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup|2017]])</small> <br /> [[Blancpain GT Series]] <small>([[2017 Blancpain GT Series|2017]])</small>
|team titles      = [[Blancpain GT Series]] <small>([[2017 Blancpain GT Series|2017]])</small>
|folded           = 
}}

'''Gottfried Grasser [[Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung|GmbH]]''' racing as '''GRT Grasser Racing Team''' is an Austrian racing team. The team, based only 10 kilometers away from the [[Red Bull Ring]], has raced in various [[Group GT3]] based racing series with support from [[Lamborghini]] since 2015, including [[Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters|DTM]], [[ADAC GT Masters]], GT World Challenge Europe or the GTD category of the [[IMSA SportsCar Championship]].

==Gottfried Grasser==
Team founder [[engineer|Ing.]] '''Gottfried Armin Grasse'''r (born 8 December 1978 in [[Leoben]], [[Styria]]) started [[karting]] in 1997.<ref name="Grasser Gottfried">{{cite web|title=Der Fahrer|url=http://grasser-racing.com:80/nav.htm|publisher=Grasser Racing|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041204020250/http://grasser-racing.com:80/nav.htm|access-date=28 May 2018|archive-date=2004-12-04}}</ref> Grasser raced in [[Formula König]] in 1999 and 2000. He finished third in the rookie standings in 1999.<ref name="Grasser Gottfried"/> In [[2001 German Formula Three Championship|2001]] and [[2002 German Formula Three Championship|2002]] Grasser joined [[Team Ghinzani]] in their [[German Formula Three Championship|German F3]] campaign.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gottfried Armin Grasser |url=https://www.driverdb.com/drivers/gottfried-armin-grasser/ |publisher=DriverDB.com |access-date=1 June 2018}}</ref> The Austrian also tested their [[Formula 3000]] car, as well as [[Minardi]]'s car. After taking over his parents [[Mazda]] dealership, he retired from single seater racing.<ref>{{cite web|title=NEWS 2004/5|url=http://www.grasser-racing.com:80/nav.htm|publisher=Grasser Racing|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041011052326/http://www.grasser-racing.com:80/nav.htm|access-date=28 May 2018|archive-date=2004-10-11}}</ref>

==Grasser-Ultima GTR==
In 2004 Gottfried Grasser started the development of the Grasser-Ultima GTR. The [[Ultima GTR]] was introduced in 1999 by [[Ultima Sports]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Ultima GTR|url=http://www.ultimasports.co.uk/Previous/UltimaGTR|publisher=Ultima Sports Ltd|access-date=1 June 2018}}</ref> The car was raced in various championships such as the [[2002 24 Hours of Daytona]]. After building the [[kit car]] Grasser tested it at the [[Pannonia Ring]] to conclude that the whole car had to be modified to compete in motorsports.<ref name="Ultima">{{cite web |title=Die Entwicklung des Grasser-Ultima GT |url=http://grasser-racing.com:80/news2005-01.jpg |publisher=Grasser Racing |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050224110446im_/http://grasser-racing.com:80/news2005-01.jpg |archive-date=24 February 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref> With support from tire manufacturer [[Yokohama Rubber Company|Yokohama]]. The car was fitted with crashboxes, a flat bottom and [[Diffuser (automotive)|diffuser]]. The car was fitted with a [[Porsche]] engine that was redeveloped by [[Richmond Racing Engines]].<ref name="Ultima"/>

After the end of the [[Euro GT Series]] after the 2006 season, the team sought another championship to enter the Ultima such as the [[Spezial Tourenwagen Trophy]] (STT) and the [[DMV GTC|Divinol Cup]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Grasser GT1 nächstes Jahr in STT/Divinol- |url=http://cms3.gt-eins.at/dmv-gtc/917-grasser-gt1-naechstes-jahr-in-sttdivinol-cup |publisher=GT-Eins |access-date=1 June 2018}}</ref> Grasser raced the car for the first time in the STT at the Jim Clark Revival at the [[Hockenheimring]].

==GT3 racing==

===Customer Lamborghini entrant===
[[Peter Ebner]] joined Grasser in the [[2011 ADAC GT Masters]]. The team entered a [[SRT Viper|Dodge Viper Competition Coupe]] in the [[Nürburgring]] and [[Red BUll Ring]] rounds.<ref>{{cite web |title=Grasser Racing Team startet mit einer Viper |url=https://www.adac-gt-masters.de/de/artikel/grasser-racing-team-startet-mit-einer-viper-137585 |publisher=ADAC GT Masters |access-date=4 June 2018}}</ref> After the team failed to start the races at both rounds, the team ended their 2011 season. For 2012 the team bought a [[Lamborghini Gallardo|Lamborghini Gallardo LP520]] from the NK Racing Team which contested the car in the 2011 season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Grasser Racing Team - Wechsel von Viper auf Lambo |url=http://cms3.gt-eins.at/gt-masters/7003-grasser-racing-team-wechsel-von-viper-auf-lambo |publisher=GT-Eins |access-date=5 June 2018}}</ref> Teamowner Gottfried Grasser was joined by [[Mario Dablander]] in the first round and [[Tomáš Enge]] in the second round. After two disappointing rounds with only one top twenty finish, the team switched to the newer Gallardo LP600+ model, developed by [[Reiter Engineering]]. Luxembourgian driver [[Daniel Bohr]] joined the teamowner/driver at the fourth round of the series at the Nürburgring.<ref>{{cite web |title=Grasser enter new Lamborghini and driver|url=https://www.adac-gt-masters.de/uk/artikel/grasser-enter-new-lamborghini-and-driver-austrian-team-travel-to-nuerburgring-with-new-package-146962 |publisher=ADAC GT Masters |access-date=5 June 2018}}</ref> The team struggled with their new car in heavy rain. In the first race the duo started 34th and finished in 26th place. For the second race, Bohr spun at the Kurzanbindung section finishing in 35th place.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wetterkapriolen beim Einstand von Daniel Bohr |url=https://www.adac-gt-masters.de/de/artikel/wetterkapriolen-beim-einstand-von-daniel-bohr-erstes-rennen-von-grt-grasser-mit-neuem-lamborghini-147772 |publisher=ADAC GT Masters |access-date=5 June 2018}}</ref> Bohr was replaced by [[2012 24 Hours of Spa]] winner [[Andrea Piccini]] for the Red Bull Ring round.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sieger der 24h Spa im Grasser-Lamborghini |url=https://www.adac-gt-masters.de/de/artikel/high-speed-vor-alpenpanorama-start-in-die-zweite-saisonhaelfte-auf-dem-red-bull-ring-148889 |publisher=ADAC GT Masters |access-date=5 June 2018}}</ref> After a retirement in the first race, the team finished twentieth in the second race. For the [[Lausitzring]] round Piccini was replaced by [[Carsten Seifert]]. The team again failed to score points with a retirement and a 24th place. Grasser Racing Team did not start the final two rounds of the championship.

For 2013 Grasser Racing Team expanded their efforts with a full [[Blancpain Sprint Series]] campaign and partial [[Blancpain Endurance Series]] and ADAC GT Masters campaigns. [[Harald Proczyk|Hari Proczyk]] and [[Dominik Baumann]] were successful in the Pro-Am category of the Blancpain Sprint Series. After five consecutive third place class finishes, the team won the sixth race in class. The Grasser Racing Team finished fifth overall, taking their first class victory.<ref>{{cite web |title=First FIA GT win for HTP Gravity Charouz in Zandvoort |url=https://www.blancpain-gt-series.com/news/65/first-fia-gt-win-for-htp-gravity-charouz-in-zandvoort?filter_season_id=2&filter_series_id=3&filter_text=&filter_team_news=0 |publisher=Blancpain GT Series |access-date=5 June 2018}}</ref> Proczyk, partnered with [[Gerhard Tweraser]] for the [[Circuito de Navarra|Navarra]] round as Baumann had other obligations in the ADAC GT Masters. Twerasser and Baumann finished third overall, first in class at the Spanish track.<ref>{{cite web |title=FIA GT Series: Navarra, Race Reports |url=http://www.dailysportscar.com/2013/09/29/fia-gt-series-navarra-sunday-race-reports.html |publisher=dailysportscar.com |access-date=5 June 2018}}</ref> Baumann returned for the season finale at [[Baku World Challenge|Baku]]. Proczyk was still in the race for the Pro-Am championship. Title competitors [[Sergey Afanasyev (racing driver)|Sergey Afanasyev]] and [[Andreas Simonsen]] qualified first in class, while Proczyk and Baumann qualified third on the street circuit.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rast Is the Master of Baku World Challenge Qualifying |url=https://www.blancpain-gt-series.com/news/40/rast-is-the-master-of-baku-world-challenge-qualifying?filter_season_id=2&filter_series_id=3&filter_text=&filter_team_news=0 |publisher=Blancpain GT Series |access-date=5 June 2018}}</ref> A crash for Proczyk mid-race caused Simonsen and Afanasyev to secure their title.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rast/Melnhof take Baku World Challenge Qualifying race victory |url=https://www.blancpain-gt-series.com/news/38/rastmelnhof-take-baku-world-challenge-qualifying-race-victory?filter_season_id=2&filter_series_id=3&filter_text=&filter_team_news=0 |publisher=Blancpain GT Series |access-date=5 June 2018}}</ref> Proczyk and Baumann won the second race in Baku ending their season on a high note.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ortelli/Vanthoor Take Baku World Challenge and Title Glory |url=https://www.blancpain-gt-series.com/news/37/ortellivanthoor-take-baku-world-challenge-and-title-glory?filter_season_id=2&filter_series_id=3&filter_text=&filter_team_news=0 |publisher=Blancpain GT Series |access-date=5 June 2018}}</ref> Proczyk finished second in the Pro-Am standings, as Baumann missed two races he finished third.

[[File:Blancpain Lamborghini Proczyk Bleekemolen.JPG|left|200px|thumb|The car raced by [[Jeroen Bleekemolen]] and [[Harald Proczyk|Hari Proczyk]] in 2014.]]

The Grasser Racing Team also entered the first three races of the Blancpain Endurance Series. Owner/driver Gottfried Grasser was joined by Proczyk and Tweraser. At the season opener at [[Autodromo Nazionale Monza|Monza]], the team encountered vibrations caused by a damaged splitter. Due to lengthy vibrations the team chose to retire the car.<ref>{{cite web |title=Technischer Defekt Stoppte Das Grasser Racing Team Beim Saisonauftakt Zur Blancpain Endurance Series! |url=http://hari-proczyk.at/pages/posts/technischer-defekt-stoppte-das-grasser-racing-team-beim-saisonauftakt-zur-blancpain-endurance-series25.php |publisher=Hari Proczyk |access-date=5 June 2018}}</ref> Finally, the team entered two cars in the Red Bull Ring round of the 2013 ADAC GT Masters. Former F3000 driver [[Bernhard Auinger]] made a short comeback into motorsports. Auinger started the car shared with teamowner Grasser. Auinger made contact with a Porsche in the Rauch bend. The duo finished third in the gentleman driver standings. The second car with Proczyk and Twerasser did not finish.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stimmen nach dem zweiten Rennen |url=https://www.adac-gt-masters.de/de/artikel/stimmen-nach-dem-zweiten-rennen-das-sagten-die-fahrer-des-adac-gt-masters-nach-lauf-zwei-auf-dem-red-bull-ring-175622 |publisher=ADAC GT Masters |access-date=6 June 2018}}</ref>

In 2014 the team focused on the Blancpain Sprint Series with a strong line-up. Car 27 was rotated between Enge, [[Sascha Halek]], [[Stefan Landmann]] and [[Tomas Pivoda]]. Car 28 was raced by Proczyk joined by [[Jeroen Bleekemolen]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Grasser Racing Team is determined to be among the frontrunners in the Blancpain Sprint |url=https://www.blancpain-gt-series.com/news/11/grasser-racing-team-is-determined-to-be-among-the-frontrunners-in-the-blancpain-sprint?filter_season_id=1&filter_series_id=2&filter_text=&filter_team_news=0 |publisher=Blancpain GT Series |access-date=6 June 2018}}</ref> Bleekemolen scored the team's first pole position at [[Circuit Paul Armagnac|Nogaro]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Jeroen Bleekemolen takes pole for Qualifying Race in Nogaro |url=https://www.blancpain-gt-series.com/news/210/jeroen-bleekemolen-takes-pole-for-qualifying-race-in-nogaro?filter_season_id=1&filter_series_id=2&filter_text=&filter_team_news=0 |publisher=Blancpain GT Series |access-date=6 June 2018}}</ref> Bleekemolen, with less experience at Nogaro then his competition, lost the lead of the first race at the start in very wet conditions. After the driver change Proczyk made contact with Audi driver [[Enzo Ide]] which ended with Proczyk in the gravel trap.<ref>{{cite web |title=Emphatic win for Laurens Vanthoor and Cesar Ramos in Qualifying Race |url=https://www.blancpain-gt-series.com/news/212/emphatic-win-for-laurens-vanthoor-and-cesar-ramos-in-qualifying-race?filter_season_id=1&filter_series_id=2&filter_text=&filter_team_news=0 |publisher=Blancpain GT Series |access-date=6 June 2018}}</ref> The Bleekemolen/Proczyk duo was dominating in the second round winning both the first and second races.<ref>{{cite web |title=Grasser Racing Team Lamborghini wins Qualifying Race |url=https://www.blancpain-gt-series.com/news/229/grasser-racing-team-lamborghini-wins-qualifying-race?filter_season_id=1&filter_series_id=2&filter_text=&filter_team_news=0 |publisher=Blancpain GT Series |access-date=6 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Blancpain Sprint Series - Main Race Brands Hatch - Grasser Racing Team Lamborghini takes both wins at Brands Hatch |url=https://www.blancpain-gt-series.com/news/230/blancpain-sprint-series--main-race-brands-hatch--grasser-racing-team-lamborghini-takes-both-wins-at-brands-hatch?filter_season_id=1&filter_series_id=2&filter_text=&filter_team_news=0 |publisher=Blancpain GT Series |access-date=6 June 2018}}</ref> Bleekemolen put the Lamborghini on pole at his home race at [[Circuit Zandvoort]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Jeroen Bleekemolen on pole for Qualifying Race |url=https://www.blancpain-gt-series.com/news/260/jeroen-bleekemolen-on-pole-for-qualifying-race?filter_season_id=1&filter_series_id=2&filter_text=&filter_team_news=0 |publisher=Blancpain GT Series |access-date=6 June 2018}}</ref> The Dutch driver won the first race in wet conditions, finishing fifth in the second race.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bleekemolen and Proczyk win Qualifying Race at wet Zandvoort |url=https://www.blancpain-gt-series.com/news/261/bleekemolen-and-proczyk-win-qualifying-race-at-wet-zandvoort?filter_season_id=1&filter_series_id=2&filter_text=&filter_team_news=0 |publisher=Blancpain GT Series |access-date=6 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=René Rast and Enzo Ide take win in spectacular main race |url=https://www.blancpain-gt-series.com/news/263/ren?filter_season_id=1&filter_series_id=2&filter_text=&filter_team_news=0 |publisher=Blancpain GT Series |access-date=6 June 2018}}</ref> The successful duo won a fourth race at [[Algarve International Circuit|Portimao]]. Bleekemolen defended a strong start to lead from start to finish.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hard-fought win for Bleekemolen and Proczyk in Qualifying Race |url=https://www.blancpain-gt-series.com/news/299/hard-fought-win-for-bleekemolen-and-proczyk-in-qualifying-race?filter_season_id=1&filter_series_id=2&filter_text=&filter_team_news=0 |publisher=Blancpain GT Series |access-date=6 June 2018}}</ref> Proczyk and Bleekemolen finished third in the drivers championship. In the second car, Sascha Halek and Stefan Landmann finished second in the Pro-Am Trophy.

[[File:LamborghiniGT3 Spa2018.jpg|200px|thumb|right|One of GRT's Lamborghini's entered at the 2018 24 Hours of Spa]]

From 2015 on the Grasser Racing Team entered the new [[Lamborghini Huracán GT3]] with factory backing. The team straight away took a memorable home victory for Lamborghini at Monza in the Blancpain Endurance Series. Over the following years the team would rack up several wins in the Blancpain endurance and sprint cups. In 2017 the Grasser Racing Team won the Overall Drivers' titles in both the [[2017 Blancpain GT Series|Blancpain GT Series]] and [[2017 Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup|Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup]] as well as the Teams' championship in the [[2017 Blancpain GT Series|Blancpain GT Series]].

On the 28th of January 2018 GRT won the [[2018 24 Hours of Daytona|24 Hours of Daytona]] in the GTD class, the opening race of the [[2018 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship]], with drivers [[Mirko Bortolotti]], Rik Breukers, Rolf Ineichen and [[Franck Perera]], a feat they repeated one year later by winning the [[2019 24 Hours of Daytona]]. Less than two months later they won the [[2019 12 Hours of Sebring]], again in the GTD Class. From 2020 on the team decided to shift its focus on the [[ADAC GT Masters]] and the [[WeatherTech SportsCar Championship]].

==Current series results==
=== Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters ===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%"
|- valign="top"
! Year
! Car
! Drivers
! Races
! Wins
! Poles
! F/Laps
! Podiums
! Points
! D.C.
! T.C.
|-
! rowspan="5" |[[2022 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters|2022]]
| rowspan="5" |[[Lamborghini Huracán#Huracán GT3 Evo (2019–2022)|Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo]]
|{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Mirko Bortolotti]]
|16
|0
|2
|3
|5
|121
|4th
| rowspan="3" |9th
|-
|{{flagicon|CHE}} [[Rolf Ineichen]]
|14
|0
|0
|1
|0
|1
|27th
|-
|{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Franck Perera]]
|2
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|34th
|-
|{{flagicon|AUT}} [[Clemens Schmid]]
|16
|0
|0
|0
|0
|11
|22nd
| rowspan="2" |16th
|-
|{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Alessio Deledda]]
|16
|0
|0
|0
|0
|1
|26th
|-
! rowspan="5" |[[2023 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters|2023]]
| rowspan="5" |[[Lamborghini Huracán#Huracán GT3 Evo (2019–2022)|Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2]]
|{{flagicon|DEU}} [[Christian Engelhart]]†
|9
|1
|0
|0
|2
|54
|17th
| rowspan="5" |12th
|-
|{{flagicon|AUT}} [[Clemens Schmid]]
|16
|0
|0
|0
|0
|32
|19th
|-
|{{flagicon|GER}} [[Maximilian Paul]]
|4
|1
|0
|0
|1
|28
|21st
|-
|{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Andrea Caldarelli]]
|2
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|31st
|-
|{{flagicon|AUT}} [[Mick Wishofer]]
|6
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|33rd
|-
! rowspan="4" |[[2024 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters|2024]]
| rowspan="4" |[[Lamborghini Huracán#Huracán GT3 Evo (2019–2022)|Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2]]
|{{flagicon|DEU}} [[Luca Engstler]]
|16
|2
|0
|1
|3
|92
|14th
| rowspan="4" |8th
|-
|{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Franck Perera]]
|8
|0
|0
|0
|1
|39
|17th
|-
|{{flagicon|DEU}} [[Christian Engelhart]]
|6
|0
|0
|0
|0
|15
|20th
|-
|{{flagicon|ZAF}} [[Jordan Pepper]]
|2
|0
|0
|0
|0
|6
|22nd
|}
† Engelhart drove for [[Toksport|Toksport WRT]] until round 4.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:FIA GT Championship teams]]
[[Category:GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup teams]]
[[Category:ADAC GT Masters teams]]
[[Category:Austrian auto racing teams]]
[[Category:WeatherTech SportsCar Championship teams]]
[[Category:Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters teams]]
[[Category:British GT Championship teams]]
[[Category:Auto racing teams established in 2011]]