Success right off the bat: For the first time, the prestigious magazine “Motorsport aktuell” added the categories “Sport Seats” and “Racing Seats/Shells” as part of the “Racer of the Year 2015” reader poll. With 87.1 percent and 82.2 percent of the vote, the Johnson Controls product group RECARO Automotive Seating prevailed against the competitors in both disciplines to take first place in each case. A total of 3,006 readers cast their votes. “I am particularly pleased that so many knowledgeable readers of ‘Motorsport aktuell’ decided in favor of us the very first time this category was included,” said Elmar Deegener, Vice President at Johnson Controls and General Manager of RECARO Automotive Seating. “RECARO has a long tradition in motorsports. For decades our seat development has been strongly influenced by the commitment to the racetrack and the exchange with drivers from various series such as FIA World Endurance Champion 2015 (WEC) Timo Bernhard. We also rely on close cooperation with racing teams and motorsport departments of well-known automakers. Achieving the top position in two seating categories in the ‘Racer of the Year’ poll confirms the quality of our seats and is an accolade for our entire team.” The endorsement of the readers is clear: With 87.1 percent of the votes (highest in poll) in the category “Sport Seats” and 82.2 percent (second highest in poll) in the category “Racing Seats/Shells,” RECARO sets itself apart from the nearest competitors decisively; they followed in second place at 29.5 percent and 32.7 percent. Since 1992, “Motorsport aktuell” has been inviting readers to participate in the “Racer of the Year” poll, and since 2009 manufacturers and brands of the year have also been chosen as part of this survey. In 2015, the categories “Sport Seats” and “Racing Seats/Shells” were added to the poll.