Bradan Donaldson
Callaway Cars of Old Lyme, Connecticut will return to racing this year in the ADAC GT Masters series with the C7 GT3-R Corvette
From Callaway:
- Callaway Competition returns to the ADAC GT Masters series for 2021
- Driver Marvin Kirchhöfer returns to Callaway with teammate Jeffrey Schmidt.
- Sponsors Valvoline and Oiltech return to support Callaway racing efforts.
Callaway Competition announces its return to the ADAC GT Masters series for 2021, its 13th year of participation with the sanctioning body. The Leingarten Germany-based team is also pleased to report that they’ve secured six-time race winner Marvin Kirchhöfer (27 / Leipzig, Germany) for the upcoming season. Kirchhöfer returns to Callaway to share driving duties with Swiss teammate, Jeffrey Schmidt (27 / Liestal, Switzerland).
“We’re very happy that circumstances made it possible for the opportunity to get Marvin back. We were able to reach an agreement quickly and getting a driver with his talent wasn’t easy. Plus, we were only able to deal with the season’s financial demands thanks to all of our sponsors”, emphasizes Callaway Competition team founder and managing director Ernst Wöhr. He’ll be sending the #77 Corvette C7 GT3-R to the starting line with new livery for ’21, shown in the photos here.
Kirchhöfer not only returns with a lot of experience but also with his cautious optimism, as he explains his intentions for this year: “I’m happy to be returning to Callaway and being back in the ADAC GT Masters for 2021. Naturally, I’m looking forward to the upcoming season, and how it will go after a year off. The Team is very well-prepared though and has always done a good job in both of my seasons. The Team and the car have always been competitive and have been good for podium finishes, which will also be our goal this year.”
“Marvin is a fast and very professional driver. I’m very happy that we can work together again in the ADAC GT Masters and that we can present a strong driver pairing together with Jeffrey”, team boss Mike Gramke confirms the return of the Leipzig driver.
Callaway Driver Jeffrey Schmidt expressed his enthusiasm for his returning teammate: “Marvin and I were teammates in the ADAC Formula Masters 2012 and we’ve known each other since karting. We got along very well off the racetrack too, which makes our work a lot easier. He’s a quick teammate and we’re able to push each other well. I think we’re a very strong driver pairing too so my goals are very high… I want to get back on the podium, and not just once.”
Giovanni Ciccone and Ernst Wöhr’s Callaway Competition Team is also pleased to welcome returning sponsors Valvoline and Oiltech. The premium motor oil manufacturer, Valvoline, together with sales and logistics partner Oiltech, were close partners of the Callaway Team from 2016 to 2018. Together, they not only won the ADAC GT Masters Drivers’ Title with Jules Gounon in 2017, but also the series’ Junior and Team Championships.
“The ADAC GT Masters and the Callaway Team offer us the best platform to present our premium products. In previous seasons, the two brands, Callaway Corvette and Valvoline, have proven that they belong together and we’ve been able to demonstrate our products’ performance under the high demands of Motorsports.” Dipl.-Betr.-Wirt Klaus Huber, Managing Director – Oiltech Lubes GmbH & Co. KG
“We’re very happy that we’ve reunited with the Callaway Team and that we’re starting a new season together. For 2021, we’re looking forward to build on the success of 2017.” Marco Troczynski, Head of Sales and Marketing – Oiltech Lubes GmbH & Co. KG
Also instrumental in bringing all parties together again, was partner and sponsor Peter Kramm (Managing Director, Autohaus Kramm Berlin), whose logo has graced the rear wing of Callaway Competition’s #77 Corvette since 2016. Peter explained, “Over the years, as an official Callaway Corvette dealer, we have grown together with the Team and a real friendship has developed … we’ll provide support wherever we can.”Daughter Franziska, with ADAC Partner Team Schnell, also decided to make an important contribution as a new partner.
The first event of the 2021 season will be held this weekend, May 14-16 at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, in Oschersleben, Germany. For more ADAC GT Masters series info: click here.
ADAC GT Masters Race Schedule – 2021
| Date | Track | City, Country |
| May 13-15 | Motorsport Arena Oschersleben | Oschersleben, Germany |
| June 10-12 | Red Bull Ring | Red Bull Ring, Austria |
| July 8-10 | CM.com Circuit Zandvoort | Zandvoort, Netherlands |
| August 5-7 | Nürburgring | Nürburg, Germany |
| September 9-11 | DEKRA Lausitzring | Klettwitz, Germany |
| September 30 – October 2 | Sachsenring | Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany |
| October 21-23 | Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg | Hockenheim, Germany |
