At the Prototype Cup Germany finale at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg, there was a very special guest entry. The renowned German racing team Molitor-Racing-Systems made its debut in prototype racing and was able to convince right away. Driver Rory Penttinen (43/FIN) immediately made the podium twice in the Ligier JS P320 with third and second places. "Of course we are very happy with the results and we didn't expect it to go so well straight away," team manager Karsten Molitor looks back.

The start at the PCG season finale was like jumping into cold water. Because of the current parts shortage, the Ligier was only delivered a few days before the race weekend. "We had only started the engine once in the workshop to get to know the sound of the power unit. The first metres were then at the official test in Hockenheim on Thursday evening," explains Molitor. "In this respect, we didn't have any real aspirations for the race weekend. We just wanted to get to know the technology and cover as many kilometres as possible. Then to achieve such success right away is indescribably beautiful and a great team performance."

Molitor-Racing-Systems is a well-known name in German motorsport. In its current form, the team was founded in November 1993 - the first races took place even earlier. For many years thereafter, MRS competed in the Renault one-make cups. At the turn of the millennium, they also stepped on the gas in the spectacular V8 Star. From 2003 onwards, the team took the step to Porsche and fielded up to six cars in Carrera Cup and Supercup at times.

In 2011, MRS achieved a very special coup with a Porsche 911 GT3 R. At its first start in the ADAC GT Masters, it immediately clinched victory at the Red Bull Ring. In the years that followed, MRS remained true to ADAC Motorsport. Three seasons each with vehicles from McLaren, Nissan and BMW brought further sporting success. In 2019, the programme was expanded to include the ADAC GT4 Germany. In addition, MRS has been a regular competitor in the 24H Series of the Dutch promoter Creventic, which now also hosts the Prototype Cup Germany together with the ADAC. "We have a kind of premiere luck," Monitor laughs. "Not only did we win on our first start in the ADAC GT Masters. We also managed to take class victory straight away at the 24-hour race in Dubai in our first outing with the BMW M4 GT4. So now to get on the podium immediately in LMP3 racing as well fits in with the team's history."

Entering the Prototype Cup Germany was not difficult at all for MRS. "We did twelve years of ADAC GT Masters and we just love this platform. It is the most valuable thing we have in German motorsport," said Molitor. "By not racing in the ADAC GT Masters or Porsche Carrera Cup in 2022, the Prototype Cup Germany was an ideal opportunity to show ourselves on the platform again this year."

Molitor also finds the international LMP3 category very exciting. "It's a whole new technical challenge. We can now work with the aerodynamic set-up, for example. It is possible to set up the LMP3 in such a way that you overtake cars on the straights. The set-up of the car thus also becomes a strategic instrument for the track position," he describes. "The LMP3 is just a real race car. We were looking forward to delivery like little kids to their birthday."

Thus, it is clear that the step into prototype racing is designed for the long term for Molitor-Racing-Systems. "Our Ligier will now be sent to America, because we want to start in Daytona in January and also compete in the 12 Hours of Sebring," Molitor explains. "The really big goal is of course the 24 Hours of Le Mans. There I see more of a chance of participating with a prototype than with a GT car."

MRS would also like to remain loyal to the Prototype Cup Germany. "Overall, we like the series very much. We are working on being part of it again in 2023 - even though it is of course too early to confirm anything at the moment," says Molitor. "We're also thinking about buying a second car for next year to give us an even broader exposure and gain as much experience as possible."