Tuning firm founder Richard Hamann succumbs to lung cancer
By Steph, 23 Mar, 2011. 0 Comments
Hamann Guardian Porsche Cayenne
Richard Hamann, the founder of Hamann Motorsport, died last week at age 53 years old of lung cancer. In 1986, Hamann set up his company after 20 years of racing in various motorsport, including Gruppe C, DTM, and Formula 3. Hamann had more than 700 race starts and 300 podium finishes during his time at the track. He also received the Special Touring Car Trophy three times while behind the wheel of a BMW M1 racecar. He made use of what he learned on track to create high-quality BMW parts at his workshop in Laupheim, Germany. A turbocharged E30-series BMW M3 was the first car that was sold under the new Hamann Motorsport banner.
This 348hp car can accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 5.1 seconds. It is with this lightweight platform that Hamann got the admiration of the industry. Hamann widened his product portfolio in the 1990s to include Ferrari, specifically the twin-turbocharged F40.
This model later set the stage for the huge lineup of current tuned Maranello machines. In 2002, Hamann added Aston Martin, Mini, Porsche, Range Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Maserati to the catalog. Opera Design was established a few years later to handle all Mercedes-Benz modifications but this company was short-lived. Hamann’s legacy will continue with the global distribution of TUV and ISO-approved components – in accordance with his personal wishes.
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