Manthey launches into IMSA 2026 with a strong GTD and GTD PRO driver line-up

Manthey will be contesting the 2026 IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup with a strong

driver line-up. At the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 R (#911) entered in the GTD PRO class will be Austrian drivers Klaus Bachler and Thomas Preining, who are familiar with the team from their WEC and DTM campaigns, together with Porsche contract driver Ricardo Feller (Switzerland). The starting number 912, competing in the GTD class, will also be piloted by Manthey-proven drivers: reigning FIA WEC LMGT3 champions Ryan Hardwick (USA) and Riccardo Pera (Italy) will contest

the five endurance races together with 2025 DTM Rookie of the Year Morris Schuring (Netherlands).

For the 24 Hours of Daytona, the Manthey 1st Phorm crew will be joined by Richard Lietz (Austria), who successfully completed the 2025 FIA WEC season alongside Hardwick and Pera. The season opener of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will be the 24-hour race at Daytona International Speedway on 24 January 2026.

“After the first IMSA test in Daytona in November, we are now looking forward to the official start of the season in January. We are particularly pleased to be able to count on a very strong driver line-up with close ties to Manthey: with Ryan, Riccardo, Morris and Richard as the fourth man for the 24-hour race, we are relying on absolute constants in the Manthey 1st Phorm car – we have

gained a lot of experience and celebrated many successes with each of them. Well-known and proven faces will also be at the start for us at the wheel of the starting number 911. Alongside Thomas and Klaus, we are delighted to welcome on board Ricardo, who joins us with valuable IMSA experience. We are excited to see what we can achieve in the coming season,” says Patrick Arkenau, Director Racing at the Manthey Racing GmbH.

Nicolas Raeder, Managing Director of the Manthey Racing GmbH, adds: “With the start of the IMSA season, a new and exciting chapter will begin for us very soon. We can rely on experienced drivers, most of whom already know our team from the DTM, WEC and the Nürburgring, and we are proud that these seven will represent us in America next year. I am looking forward to laying the foundation for a successful season with this team at the first race in Daytona.”

After the official Daytona pre-test, known as ROAR, from 16 to 18 January, the IMSA season opener for Manthey is scheduled for 24 January 2026 with the 24 Hours of Daytona. This event will be followed by four more endurance races in Florida, New York, Wisconsin and Atlanta, each lasting between six and twelve hours.

Quotes on the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup 2026:

Thomas Preining, Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 R #911: “I’m really excited that it’s finally official and that I will be competing in the 2026 IMSA alongside Manthey. Our first test went very well, and everyone on the team is motivated and focused on the same goal: winning Daytona and making a strong statement in our first season in the U.S. The preparation has already started, and we’re looking forward to the challenge. Racing in America is a lot of fun, and it’s even more rewarding when you are successful - which is exactly what we’re aiming for.”

Ricardo Feller, Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 R #911: "I’m really excited about our IMSA program and to be part of the Manthey team. I raced these endurance races back in 2019 and have wanted to return to the U.S. every year since. Now it has finally worked out — and with such a promising driver lineup. I’m confident we’ll have a strong season, and our goal is clear: we want to win. With the 24 Hours of Daytona as the season highlight already coming up in January, our full focus is on

that race. I can’t wait for the season to finally start!“

Klaus Bachler, Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 R #911: “I can’t wait and I’m very excited to be part of Manthey’s IMSA debut in 2026. With Thomas and Ricardo, I have two extremely strong teammates alongside me. I’ve known Thomas for many years and we’ve already competed together in numerous championships. This will be the first time I share a car with Ricardo, which I’m really looking forward to. It has always been a big wish of mine to race in the Grello, and the fact that

this is becoming a reality in the IMSA Endurance Series means a lot to me. I can’t wait for January to come, when we head to Daytona and I get to drive my first laps in the #911.”

Ryan Hardwick, Manthey 1st Phorm Porsche 911 GT3 R #912: “I’m very excited to be returning home to race in IMSA with Manthey in 2026. After a hugely successful 2025 - including winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the LMGT3 World Endurance Championship - it made perfect sense to continue with this winning team. I’ll be joined once again by Riccardo Pera this season, and we also welcome Morris Schuring to our 1st Phorm-sponsored #912 car for all IMSA endurance

races. Richard Lietz will be back with us for Daytona, a race the two of us won together in 2022. We have a strong driver lineup that combines young talent with veteran experience, and I can’t wait to get going at the ROAR in January!”

Riccardo Pera, Manthey 1st Phorm Porsche 911 GT3 R #912: “I’m truly excited to be part of Manthey’s first season in the U.S. and to continue building on the strong partnership we’ve established with 1st Phorm, Ryan, and the entire team. With iconic events ahead – especially the 24 Hours of Daytona – it’s shaping up to be a remarkable season. I’m also delighted to welcome Morris to the 1st Phorm car. I’m looking forward to getting to work and pushing for strong results together.”

Morris Schuring, Manthey 1st Phorm Porsche 911 GT3 R #912: “I’m really happy to continue my partnership with Manthey, which has already been very successful in both endurance and sprint racing. Going to America will be a new challenge for me, and I’m excited to experience another major part of global motorsport. Being able to say that, at just 20 years old, I’ve raced at Le Mans, Daytona, the Nürburgring and Spa is something I’m very proud of, and taking on iconic events like Daytona together with Manthey gives me high expectations, because I know what this team is capable of. Of course, we’ll be newcomers in IMSA, but based on the work already happening behind the scenes, I’m confident we’ll be well prepared. I’m also looking forward to working with Ryan, Riccardo and Richard at Daytona. It’s an honour to team up with recent WEC and Le Mans  winners, and having an all–Le Mans-winning lineup for the season is something quite special. I can’t wait to get going, I’m very motivated and I think it’s going to be a great year.“