Manthey returns
Manthey Racing has announced that it will return to the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 2026, with its ‘Grello’ #911 Porsche 911 GT3 R.
The German outfit, which has won the ADAC 24H Nürburgring a joint-record seven times, has so far only confirmed its participation for NLS1. The team’s full programme, including its drivers, will be revealed at a later date.
Last year, Manthey finished on the podium during all five of its starts at the ‘Ring, including a win at NLS3 and a second-place finish in the 24H Nürburgring, where it crossed the line first but lost victory due to a time penalty.
Its return to the ‘Ring joins confirmed programmes in the FIA WEC, IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup and DTM for Manthey in 2026.
Car Collection Motorsport confirms SP9 Porsche
Car Collection Motorsport will return to the 24H Nürburgring in 2026 after a two-year absence, under the ‘Goroyan RT by Car Collection’ moniker.
The Armenian-flagged effort will run a Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) Evo in the SP 9 Pro-Am class, for Artur Goroyan, Oleg Kvitka, Alex Fontana and Nathanaël Berthon.
In preparation for May’s 24-hour race, the team will participate in four early-season NLS races. Goroyan, Kvitka and Fontana will share the car in NLS1, with Goroyan and Kvitka being joined by Berthon for NLS3 and the ADAC 24H Qualifying weekend.
Last year, Goroyan and Fontana competed for Car Collection in the NLS’ double-header weekend, and finished on the SP9 Pro-Am podium in both races.
“This will be our first start in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring since 2023, which we are very happy about, as the Nürburgring Nordschleife is our motorsport home,” team manager Romina Schmidt said.
“Our start in last year’s double-header made us very confident that we can fight for a good result in the SP9 Pro-Am class. We will also use our preparatory races to ensure we have the best possible package for the start in May!”
PROsport Racing hires new MD
PROsport Racing has announced that former FIA GT1 race winner Marc Hennerici will be its new managing director, taking over from team founder Chris Esser.
Hennerici, who competed in the GT1 World Championship in 2010 and 2011 with Phoenix Racing and Marc VDS Racing Team respectively, has since become a Nürburgring specialist.
The 43-year-old was part of Toyo Tires with Ring Racing’s NLS programme last season, driving a 991-spec Porsche 911 GT3 Cup in SP-Pro.
“PROsport Racing stands on very solid foundations today, which Chris Esser has built up over many years with great passion and consistency,” Hennerici said.
“I have great respect for this lifetime achievement and look forward to working with the team to build on this foundation and move forward with sporting ambition. The new role allows me to bring together everything that has accompanied me for almost four decades – my experience in motorsport and the joy
PROsport Racing has acquired GT3 and GT4-spec Mercedes-AMGs over the off-season, with the German squad planning a four-car assault on this year’s NLS. The team is yet to confirm the exact makeup of its entry, and is set to run the Mercedes-AMGs, as well as its existing Aston Martin Vantage AMRs and a Porsche Cayman, at a pre-NLS1 test.
Pirelli renews partnership with Dinamic GT
Dinamic GT has confirmed that it will return to the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie in 2026, and continue its partnership with Pirelli.
The Italian outfit will again compete in SP-9 Pro, with a Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) Evo.
Bastian Buus, Loek Hartog and Joel Sturm are all returning to the team, with them joined this year by Porsche factory driver, and 2021 ADAC 24H Nürburgring winner, Michael Christensen.
35-year-old Christensen replaces Matteo Cairoli in the team’s line-up, for what is the Dane’s first confirmed racing programme of 2026.
Last season, Dinamic made five competitive starts in the NLS, plus a one-off exclusively for tyre testing purposes, and claimed a best finish of fourth. The team also finished on the overall podium at the 24H Nürburgring.
K-Krämer Racing steps up to SP9
German squad K-Krämer Racing has unveiled plans to step up to the ADAC 24H Nürburgring’s top SP9 category ahead of this year’s race.
The Porsche Endurance Trophy Nürburgring regular is set to field an Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II for Fidel Leib, Tobias Vazquez and Michele Di Martino, in both the 24H Nürburgring and Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie.
All three drivers competed for K-Krämer Racing in CUP2 (for Porsche 911 GT3 Cup machinery) last season, sharing a car on multiple occasions as they were split between the team’s multiple entries through the campaign.
Both Leib and Di Martino bring prior GT3 experience to the team, whilst this will be Vazquez’s first time competing at this level.
“For me personally, this is an absolute dream come true – being back in a GT3 cockpit means more than I can describe,” Leib posted to social media.
“I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and truly excited for everything this season will bring. We’re heading into 2026 highly motivated, focused, and ready to give it everything on track.”
The team has already tested its newly acquired R8 LMS GT3 Evo II at Circuit Paul Ricard.
The opening round of the 2026 Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie will be held on 14th March 2026. The 2026 ADAC 24H Nürburgring will be held on 14th to 17th May 2026.
Gamota Racing gearing up for NLS debut
BMW M customer team Gamota Racing will make its NLS debut this year, with a full-season SP 9 entry.
Reigning NLS TCR drivers’ champion Antal Zsigo, David Jahn and Moritz Kranz will share its #23 M4 GT3 Evo, which will compete in SP 9 Pro/Am.
The car will be operated by Slovakian dealership AZ Cars, which is open to adding a second M4 GT3 Evo to its effort.
The opening round of the 2026 Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie will be held on 14th March 2026. The 2026 ADAC 24H Nürburgring will be held on 14th to 17th May 2026.
Images courtesy of Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie and PROsport Racing
