The year 2022 has only just begun, and thoughts at GRT are already turning to the DTM adventure that lies ahead. The outfit founded and owned by Gottfried Grasser will be embarking on its debut season in the prestigious racing series, and they have been given a tremendous boost by the arrival of a high-calibre recruit. Taking over as Team Manager and Sporting Director, Manuel Reuter will lead the Austrian racing team and its four Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVOs into the DTM this year.
The 60-year-old from Mainz looks back on two separate but equally distinguished careers in the world of motorsport. From 1986 to 2005, he enjoyed considerable success as a racing driver at national and international level. Having started out by winning titles in karting and formula racing, his greatest moments were to come in touring and sports car events. These include two victories in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, a triumph in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring and securing the ITC championship title.
When Reuter’s time as a front-line driver came to an end, his career took a new direction as he became a prominent media pundit, team consultant, coach and official. In his team management role at Rutronik Racing, he was instrumental in winning both the drivers’ and team championships in the 2019 ADAC GT Masters. With his eleven years as a driver in the DTM as well as his recent management roles in GT3 racing, Reuter brings extensive expertise to GRT’s debut in this highly competitive championship.
Manuel Reuter: “Gottfried contacted me at the end of last year and laid out GRT’s plans for the DTM. I immediately found the project interesting, and we soon came to an agreement about working together. The team is a permanent fixture in GT3 racing, so making the step up to the DTM is the logical thing to do. The racing series has developed extremely well with the GT3 regulations and has regained much of its former appeal. It has become more attractive for teams and manufacturers alike. I am very much looking forward to being part of GRT’s endeavours and to returning to the DTM in the role of Team Manager and Sporting Director. I have many great memories of the sport, and I’m excited about the journey ahead.”
Team principal Gottfried Grasser: “We are incredibly happy to welcome Manuel to GRT. To have filled the role of Team Manager and Sporting Director with such a well-known and capable figure is an important milestone for our organisation. He knows motorsport inside out, and I am very much in favour of having someone with such a background in our ranks. I also know him from the ADAC GT Masters and have always been impressed by the way he operates in team management. I had always hoped that we might be able to bring Manuel on board one day. Everyone in the team will benefit from his experience, and I’m really looking forward to working with him on this long-term project.”