Porsche powerhouse Manthey will enter IMSA’s Michelin Endurance Cup for the first time next season, running a pair of Porsche 911 GT3 Rs across the five-round schedule.
In GTD PRO, the team’s famous ‘Grello’ Porsche will make its North American debut adorning the #911, whilst its partnership with 1st Phorm will continue with the #912 in the GTD class.
American Ryan Hardwick, who will compete in the GTD effort, is the first driver confirmed for the programme. Hardwick joined Manthey at the end of last season, finishing as runner-up in the GT class of the Asian Le Mans Series before embarking on a successful FIA WEC campaign with the team.
“I am thrilled to be returning to IMSA with Manthey in 2026,” Hardwick commented.
“Having started my racing career in IMSA, I am very excited to now be part of Manthey’s driver line-up for their first season racing in North America. Bringing the legendary 1st Phorm blue Porsche back to the series is also very special.
“I have already celebrated victories in Daytona and Sebring in a Porsche, and I know our North American fans are looking forward to seeing the car back on the track.”
Manthey 1st Phorm currently leads the FIA WEC’s LMGT3 standings entering next month’s season finale at Bahrain, following victories at Imola and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The FIA WEC titles would complete a triumphant 2025 season for the German outfit, adding to its championship wins in the Asian Le Mans Series and DTM.
Although new to an Endurance Cup campaign, Manthey has made multiple one-off appearances at the 24 Hours of Daytona, the most recent coming with a 991-spec 911 GT3 R in GTD in 2018.
Daytona will be the site of the first running for the new programme, with Manthey confirmed to be attending November’s IMSA Sanctioned Test at the Speedway, ahead of the 24 Hours of Daytona on 21st to 25th January 2025.
Manthey joins AO Racing (GTD PRO) and Porsche Penske Motorsport (GTP) as confirmed representatives of the Weissach-marque in next season’s IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship. The full 2026 entry list is expected to be announced shortly.
The liveries, and remaining drivers, for Manthey’s IMSA programme will be revealed at a later date, as will details of the remainder of the German team’s 2026 racing efforts, which DSC understands will include another two-car full-season effort in the FIA WEC’s LMGT3 class.
“We are very proud to be competing in the IMSA in 2026 together with Ryan, Manthey, 1st Phorm and the Grello,” said Nicolas Raeder, Managing Director, Manthey Racing GmbH.
“Entering the American market has been a long-held dream of ours, as we have been following the series for many years, and the US market is also very important for our road car products.
“Entering our two Porsche in the endurance races will also provide an excellent opportunity to engage with Porsche dealers, Manthey customers, and enthusiasts. Building on our experience of competing at the Nürburgring and in the DTM and WEC since 2023 and 2024 respectively, IMSA is the next logical step for us. I am looking forward to this new challenge for our team, especially the season opener in Daytona.”
Patrick Arkenau, Director Racing, Manthey Racing GmbH added: “While Manthey is not entirely new to the series – having provided extensive engineering support for various teams in the GT and prototype classes in recent years – this will be our first time competing under our own name, and we are looking forward to the challenge.
“In particular, we have unfinished business at Daytona: we competed there in 1999, 2017 and 2018, but were never able to complete the race. The 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans are also on our ‘wish list’. Our clear goal is to compete for victories in both the GTD PRO and GTD classes right from the start.
“IMSA will, of course, be a different kind of racing to which we will have to adapt, but we see this as an exciting challenge. We can’t wait to bring the Grello and the number 912 to the track in America from 2026.”
Images courtesy of Manthey, Andrew Hall and Frozenspeed
