Manthey Racing’s IMSA Arrival: Why 2026 Marks a Major Moment for Porsche GT Racing

Manthey Racing and Porsche: A Partnership Built on Trust

Manthey Racing’s relationship with Porsche is unusually deep by motorsport standards. Porsche holds a majority stake in Manthey Racing, a structure that reflects trust rather than branding convenience. Manthey has been responsible for factory-level Porsche GT programs in Europe, including operations in the FIA World Endurance Championship, where consistency, technical compliance, and execution under pressure define success.

Over the years, Manthey has become Porsche’s reference team for GT racing—tasked not only with running cars but also with refining processes, setups, and long-distance reliability. This background explains why Porsche views Manthey’s IMSA entry not as a gamble, but as a strategic reinforcement of its global customer-racing platform.

Why IMSA, and Why Now?

IMSA endurance racing—particularly events like Daytona, Sebring, and Petit Le Mans—demands a unique blend of speed, resilience, and adaptability. Traffic management, variable weather, and punishing surfaces expose weaknesses quickly. For Manthey, these challenges are familiar. The Nürburgring 24 Hours, often referred to as the most demanding GT race in the world, has long been Manthey’s proving ground.

By 2026, IMSA’s GT fields will be deeper and more competitive than ever, making the timing ideal. Porsche’s global GT strategy emphasizes strong, independent partners capable of operating at a factory standard. Manthey fits that role perfectly.

The Car: Porsche 911 GT3 R, Manthey-Prepared

Manthey’s IMSA program will center on the Porsche 911 GT3 R (992), a car already proven at the highest levels of GT competition worldwide. While the chassis and homologation remain standardized, Manthey’s strength lies in how it extracts performance within the rules.

Manthey-prepared Porsche GT cars are known for:

• Exceptional aero balance over long stints
• Stable braking performance under heavy load
• Predictable tire degradation characteristics
• Setups optimized for endurance consistency rather than short-run aggression

These traits are not accidental. Manthey’s engineering philosophy treats the car as a system—where aerodynamics, suspension, braking, and tire behavior are developed together, validated through extensive real-world racing rather than simulation alone.

The Manthey 1st Phorm Entry: More Than a Name

One of Manthey’s confirmed IMSA entries will compete under the Manthey 1st Phorm banner, signaling a program built for longevity rather than a one-off appearance. The partnership reflects Manthey’s expanding commercial reach and its ability to translate motorsport success into sustainable operations.

From Porsche’s perspective, programs like Manthey 1st Phorm strengthen the broader GT ecosystem. They attract professional drivers, experienced engineers, and stable sponsorship—key ingredients for endurance success in IMSA’s tightly regulated environment.

What Manthey Brings That IMSA Teams Will Notice

Manthey’s arrival is significant not just because of the name, but because of how the team operates.

Endurance-first mindset

Manthey’s DNA is endurance racing. The team prioritizes reliability, repeatable pit execution, and strategic flexibility—qualities that win 6-, 12-, and 24-hour races.

Process discipline

From setup methodology to race engineering, Manthey operates with factory-level precision. Mistakes are minimized through structure, not heroics.

Circuit adaptability

Whether it’s the high-speed demands of Daytona, the concrete brutality of Sebring, or the technical flow of Road Atlanta, Manthey’s experience across Europe’s most punishing circuits translates directly to IMSA’s calendar.

What This Means for Porsche in North America

Porsche’s GT success has always relied on strong customer teams. Manthey’s IMSA debut adds a new pillar to that structure—one with direct factory alignment and decades of GT specialization.

For Porsche, the benefits are clear:

• A trusted partner operating at the highest standard
• Knowledge transfer between WEC and IMSA programs
• Greater competitive depth in endurance events
• Reinforcement of Porsche’s reputation as the benchmark GT manufacturer

This move also signals Porsche’s long-term confidence in IMSA as a premier endurance championship worth sustained factory-level engagement.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Manthey Racing’s IMSA debut in 2026 is expected to focus on endurance rounds, where the team’s strengths are most pronounced. While sprint racing may follow in future seasons, the initial emphasis aligns perfectly with Manthey’s identity.

For IMSA fans, Manthey’s arrival adds another elite Porsche operation to an already stacked grid. For competitors, it raises the bar—because Manthey does not arrive anywhere unprepared.

A Calculated Expansion, Not a Gamble

Manthey Racing’s entry into IMSA endurance racing is the product of long-term planning, deep Porsche integration, and a proven GT racing philosophy. With the Porsche 911 GT3 R as its weapon and Porsche’s backing behind it, Manthey is poised to become a major force on North American circuits.

In 2026, IMSA won’t just gain another Porsche team—it will gain one of Porsche’s most trusted GT specialists, bringing Nürburgring-hardened discipline to America’s toughest endurance races.