Having announced a while ago that they would be working with Danny Soufi (20/USA) in the 2024 Prototype Cup Germany, Konrad Motorsport have now signed Torsten Kratz (53/Mönchengladbach) as the American’s partner. Kratz is very familiar with the Prototype Cup Germany, in which he started in 2022. Back then, he finished second overall with Leonard Weiss (25/Monschau) and was also runner-up in the Trophy.

The opportunity to return to the Prototype Cup Germany came as something of a coincidence for Torsten Kratz. “Franz Konrad approached me a while ago, and I then drove for him in the Ultimate Cup in Le Castellet at the end of 2023. I also shared a car with Danny Soufi back then, and it worked out really well.” However, he wanted to remain loyal to his team WTM Racing and to race for them in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS). However, the six race weekends were not enough for the man from Mönchengladbach, so the interest shown by Franz Konrad’s team came back into play. “The more kilometres I spend in the LMP3, the better it is. I believe I am starting with a good package in the Prototype Cup Germany, with Danny as my team-mate and Konrad Motorsport as the team. Furthermore, the manageable amount of travel involved means it does not take up as much time. That is a valid reason for me, as someone who does not race professionally. And the sporting standard is good, with close races and finishes. I think it is going to be an interesting season.”

When Kratz found his way onto the LMP3 scene three years ago, it was not exactly planned. “During the coronavirus pandemic, I considered hanging up my helmet, as I could not really see myself continuing. Back then, I had been driving in the endurance series at the Nürburgring for a long time, but had never progressed beyond the GT4 class. I needed a challenge. I am very grateful that WTM Racing phoned me out of the blue and asked whether I could imagine myself driving an LMP3 prototype. It came as a big surprise and still means a lot to me that WTM Racing gave me that opportunity and saw an LMP3 driver in me.”

Kratz grasped the opportunity and has been active in LMP3 racing ever since. His rookie season in the Prototype Cup Germany, when he shared a WTM Racing car with Leonard Weiss, was a successful one. They had to miss one of the four events for coronavirus reasons, but still celebrated a third, a second and two first places. That put them second in the Drivers’ Championship behind champions Marvin Dienst (27/Lampertheim) and Berkay Besler (25/TUR). Is that kind of result the goal for 2024? “It is not easy to set a definite objective right now. On the one hand, we don’t yet know the full field. And on the other hand, factors that are out of our hands – such as luck – always play a role. In principal, however, I believe that we can be right out in front again. That is what we should aspire to. After all, we are all – the drivers, mechanics and everyone else in the team – very dedicated to this project, and we obviously want to be rewarded for our effort. And it would be nice if Danny could have a big say in the Junior competition and me in the Trophy.”