PROsport Racing team boss Chris Esser gives a detailed outlook on 2025 and the future of the racing team from Wiesemscheid.
After the difficult 2024 season, PROsport Racing has made exciting plans for 2025, can you say more about that?
Yes, the year was difficult for us, but we showed our potential at the last three race weekends, which makes us very optimistic about the coming year. For the coming year, we are again planning an extensive GT3 program on the Nordschleife in the Nürburgring Endurance Series and at the 24-hour race. In addition, we want to compete in various rounds of the 24H Series, but are also open to other racing series. The priority, however, is on the Nordschleife.
And in the GT4 area?
We recently proved at the ADAC GT4 Germany in Hockenheim that we can continue to be successful with the Aston Martin Vantage GT4. Therefore, our ambition for the coming year is to compete in the series for the entire season.
Is PROsport Racing also planning a special support program in the GT4 sector for 2025?
We want to build on the successful programs with Raphael Rennhofer (sim racer) – who entered GT4 racing with us in the summer of 2023 – and Célia Martin – who drove with us in the ADAC GT4 Germany in 2023 and also drove a few races on the Nordschleife and has been a regular driver for the Iron Dames since the 2024 season – and are planning a special support program for sim racers and racing drivers! Our current plan is that we will use one vehicle for sim racers and one for racing drivers in the GT4 Winter Series.
The whole thing can be seen as a kind of shootout for a complete 2025 season in the ADAC GT4 Germany or the GT4 European Series. Raphael and Célia would also support the relevant candidates and sit on the decision-making committee.
On the Thursdays and Fridays of the Winter Series events, extensive test drives take place, during which we would test some drivers and the fastest drivers in each case would then be able to prove themselves under racing conditions in the Aston Martin Vantage GT4 on the race weekend.
We are happy to answer any serious questions, but it must be ensured that the candidates have a national racing license.
In addition, we will of course also be competing on the Nordschleife with our GT4 vehicles and have already fully rented two cars at this early stage; the 24H Series is also another possible use here.
Last but not least, will things also get exciting in the historic area?
Exactly – here my long-time friend and former DTM champion Kurt Thiim will continue to work as a brand ambassador for PROsport Classic and will also be behind the wheel himself as usual. And without giving too much away, PROsport Classic will be competing in some of the most important historic racing events for the first time next year. We will be in Goodwood with legendary vehicles and are currently planning to take part in the Le Mans Classic in the summer. We will announce further details at a later date.
You are celebrating 50 years of motorsport this year – but are there drastic changes coming in the near future?
That’s right. My goal is to retire at the end of 2025. But that will definitely not mean that the name PROsport Racing will disappear, because I want to hand over the company so that it can continue as usual! If the future owner wishes, I would also be happy to continue to be available as a consultant in the future. It would also be important to me that none of my employees lose their jobs and that everyone continues to work for PROsport Racing, as we have a very close-knit and well-trained team.
Can you give us a look at the company, because PROsport Racing is much more than just the racing team?
Exactly, our racing team is just one branch of the company. We also use a large number of racing vehicles at track days and rent them out for events. To improve the drivers, we also offer coaching at track days with our long-standing professional drivers, which has been successful for every participant so far!
Our garages, which we rent out not far from the Nürburgring in Wiesemscheid, are also very interesting for track day drivers. Here the drivers can park their vehicles in a protected and secure manner. In order to prepare the vehicles perfectly for their next use, customers can book individual preparation and follow-up with us.
We are also very active in the classic area. In addition to the use of historic racing vehicles, we also take care of the complete construction of young and vintage cars. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a racing car or a road car. We rebuild historic racing cars in a way that is appropriate for the era.
I think that with PROsport we have shown in the past that with serious work, regardless of the brand, you can be successful not only in terms of sport but also financially. You have to have a broad base, as we have done, because you can’t survive with just a few races. Like many areas in the automotive sector, racing is facing major challenges and changes. Nevertheless, I am firmly convinced that we have a future in motorsport.
