Let’s go back to 1998 when Karsten Molitor, a trained master craftsman, was running a small side racing business along with his workshop. Even then, Molitor had no space for compromise: racing was his biggest motivation as well as his field for experimentation. For example, he competed in long-distance Cups driving Group A and Group N race cars. As a mechanic and VLM race car driver, watching a Porsche on the track somehow got under his skin – simply because they were too fast, too good. As the owner of his own race team, he was drawn to the world of one-make cups. Renault offered an interesting, next-level series with exciting challenges. And it was with Renault that Molitor met the young race driver, Iris Dorr. Clearly Iris inherited her talent from her father, who himself was a successful Porsche race driver. And like Molitor, Dorr’s passion for motorsport ran through her veins. At this time she competed in numerous races for Molitor-Racing-Stuttgart GmbH, becoming an indispensable part of the young racing team.

What followed could be considered MRS’s wild years as they participated in a variety of one-make cups as well as in the V8-S.T.A.R. Series. It was during this time that the level of interest and participation in customer racing increased significantly, opening up many new opportunities. Together, the Molitor and Dorr team wanted to be at the forefront of this development, so they began trying out new series to become more successful. But to be successful in racing, there is no way to get around Porsche. So, in 2003, MRS decided to enter the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany and in parallel, the Porsche Supercup. Seventeen racing seasons and two model changes of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup later, the team is still involved. And, bigger than ever. Alone, Team MRS has approximately 16 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup and 911 GT3 R race cars participating in various series. Additionally, they race with GT cars of English and Japanese car manufacturers. “All great racing cars,” states Iris Dorr. Being so lavishly equipped, MRS can offer customers and drivers a wide range of products within top international GT racing. There was even a separate series from 2010 to 2013: the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Eastern Europe, a two-time support event for Formula 1 in Istanbul.

Those who work tirelessly and with unbridled passion on their life’s dreams will likely achieve more. But passion is also something you need to be able to afford, especially in racing. Karsten Molitor learned this at an early age with his own company and has always kept a keen eye on profitability. When it comes to financing, the team prefers diversification, just like the services they offer: A broad mix of investors versus a few large financial backers. Guest drivers comprise only a small part of this, even though 21 of different drivers in the 2019 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup were assigned to MRS cockpits. Unilateral dependencies would end the team’s flexibility and desire to experiment, and that’s exactly what makes MRS so unique.

In addition to classic racing, MRS formed their own SIMRacing team nearly two years ago, and are actively involved in racing in virtual series. In fact, stars of the SIMRacing scene have already driven for MRS. Like Rudy van Buren, who has also completed a Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup race behind the wheel of a real Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. Or Marc Gassner, who was introduced to real racing via SIMRacing, a path that MRS is pursuing in parallel to its own driver trainee program. Iris Dorr and Karsten Molitor are convinced that combining virtual and classic racing is essential for sustainability: “It makes sense for every racing team to also have a SIMracing team.”

As future oriented as the MRS team is, the top management’s values remain steeped in tradition. For example, every new racing car model is personally tested by the team’s bosses. For master mechanic Karsten Molitor, this is quite a pleasure. Take for instance the 991 model of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. After only a few metres in the cockpit, he’s able to feel the modifications made from its 997 predecessor and go straight into a technical analysis. In the case of former racing driver Iris Dorr, it’s her well-trained gut feeling that contributes to purchase decisions. But both bosses can experience emotions when a new race car has track presence, a rich sound quality and a spectacular design. No wonder when there’s racing in your blood.

Overall, the glue that holds the entire team together is passion. MRS is the German team competing in the top one-make series of the German sports car manufacturer, Porsche. You’d think this would have some sort of special meaning, but that’s not the case. On the contrary, Dorr and Molitor love and live the internationality within their company. Drivers, mechanics and service personnel from all corners of the world and walks of life come together at MRS: All the contrasts become magnets. Nothing is more attractive than working passionately towards collective success.

Located in Lonsee-Luizhausen, near the town of Ulm, Karsten Molitor and Iris Dorr built their headquarters in 2000. It’s about a one hour’s drive from Porsche Motorsport in Weissach. Since then, the “S” in MRS stands for Systems and no longer for Stuttgart.

“A racing team is a living organism in constant motion,“ says Karsten Molitor, whose role models are teams such as AF Corse and Team Penske. And drivers of course play a special role within this living organism. Currently, many of MRS’s drivers come from South America, and in this regard, the team is more diverse than most other Supercup teams. Not to mention that both young and ambitious drivers like #14 Matteo Llarena as well as ProAMs get their chances in the cockpit.

At the wheel of an MRS Porsche GT3 Cup in 2019 was the successful Larry ten Voorde. He finished the series at a very respectable 4th place in the overall standings, and just like in 2009 when René Rast finished second, the team was on fire. It remains to be seen whether he will be succeeded this year with Finnish driver #15 Jukka Honkavuori. But first the team needs to get all the drivers to Europe amidst complicated entry regulations imposed by COVID-19 this year.

Heading into this year’s live racing season will certainly bring its challenges to all teams, but in particular MRS. Synchronizing the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup with all their other races in the calendar is a complex logistical puzzle. Due to the late season start, MRS’s racing calendar is fully booked with Supercup, Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, ADAC GT Masters, ADAC GT4 Serie, 24H Series and more.

Although MRS GT-Racing is looking forward to real Supercup races, with real 485 hp, in real 911 GT3 Cup race cars, the 2020 season will be a challenge for the team. Improvisational talent helps, and there is no doubt that MRS has plenty of that as well as a sporty attitude. Like Karsten Molitor makes clear, "traditionally, there are more losers than winners in a race. But we always race to win.” We have nothing more to add to that, except a little bit of luck – which for sure MRS will also need in 2020.