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International Motor Sports Association    Lamborghini Super Trofeo series

International Motor Sports Association 

super trofeo series

 

www.imsa.com

 

About the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA)

International Motor Sports Association, LLC (IMSA) was originally founded in 1969 and owns a long and rich history in sports car racing. Today, IMSA is the sanctioning body of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the premier sports car racing series in North America. IMSA also sanctions the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, as well as four one-make series: Ferrari Challenge North America, Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires, Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America and Porsche Carrera Cup North America. IMSA – a company within the NASCAR family – is the exclusive strategic partner in North America with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) which operates the 24 Hours of Le Mans as a part of the FIA World Endurance Championship. The partnership enables selected IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competitors to earn automatic entries into the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Tunjo Tames ‘Tricky Track’ for Pole in IMSA Airbnb Endurance Challenge Debut at Sebring

Back-to-Back Pole Positions for Tunjo and Gebhardt in the Sunshine State


 

March 7, 2026

Staff Report

IMSA Wire Service

Qualifying Results


 

SEBRING, Fla. – Oscar Tunjo will lead the field to the green flag for the inaugural IMSA Airbnb Endurance Challenge at Sebring International Raceway after securing the pole in the No. 1 Gebhardt Motorsports USA Inc. Duqueine D08.


 

Tunjo was dominant in qualifying, posting a fast lap of 1:58.274 (113.837 mph) around the 3.74-mile, 17-turn road course.


 

Shortly after the start of the session, light rain began to fall intermittently around the track, but some wet patches from an earlier afternoon shower proved to be more challenging.


 

“It was a tricky session,” Tunjo said. “We had some rain before, so it was going to be a tricky track. Happy to start (the weekend) in a good way. For us, it's a challenging weekend because it's the first time for (Gebhardt) here in Sebring – as a team, and also for me as a driver.


 

“There was a little bit of still wet patches on track, mainly in some hard braking areas inside the last corner. The last corner is always a really challenging corner, but still, it was good to do a good job.”


 

Tunjo, who was the fastest qualifier for both of the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge races in the season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway, never relinquished his spot at the top of the charts during Saturday’s 15-minute qualifying session. His lap was 1.539 seconds quicker than Lincoln Day’s lap of 1:59.813 (112.374 mph) in the No. 95 Toney Driver Development Ligier JS P325. Brian Thienes was the top qualifier among Bronze-rated drivers and will roll off third with a qualifying lap of 2:02.112 (110.259 mph) in the No. 77 Forte Racing Ligier.


 

With two drivers per car required for the Airbnb Endurance Challenge events, sharing seat time with Tunjo will be 2025 VP Racing SportsCar Challenge LMP3 (P3) champion Valentino Catalano.


 

“Last year I drove with Valentino in Europe, so we are quite used to driving together,” Tunjo said. “Obviously, he's the reigning champion of the VP SportsCar Challenge, so it's nice to have him back on board and also with us.


 

“It will be a challenging race, but yeah, the first one of the endurance. Good to start the season in the endurance (challenge) with the pole, and yeah, we'll see where we can manage to do tomorrow.”


 

Sunday’s two-hour IMSA Airbnb Endurance Challenge at Sebring will take the green flag at 10:55 a.m. ET and streams globally on the IMSA Official YouTube channel
 

 

Manthey Impresses in Initial, Wider IMSA Foray

Team Celebrates its 30th Anniversary in 2026 with Expanded IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup Program



March 4, 2026

By Tony DiZinno

IMSA Wire Service

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Near the end of the 2026 Rolex 24 At Daytona, one of the most striking liveries competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship had stealthily snuck its way to the front of the Grand Touring Daytona Pro (GTD PRO) field. 


 

Manthey’s iconic “Grello,” adorning its No. 911 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992), had emerged as a late-race contender as part of a several-brand scrap in GTD PRO against fellow German brands Mercedes-AMG, with multiple cars, and BMW with eventual GTD PRO winner Paul Miller Racing.


 

Though the No. 911 entry faded to fifth at the finish and the GTD-entered No. 912 1st Phorm-adorned Porsche was an unrepresentative 12th, both Manthey as a team and as a brand made a strong impact on the Rolex 24 itself.


 

It was the first race of what will be a banner season for the team across continents and various sports car championships, including a full IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup program for the first time. 


 

Founded in 1996 by Olaf Manthey and acquired by brothers Martin and Nicolas Raeder in 2013, Manthey now celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026 with around 350 employees present operating its phalanx of race and road cars. 

“Thirty years of Manthey – who would have thought?” Manthey reflected. “From the very beginning, our ambition was to be different from others and always strive to be better, while doing so in the most genuine and approachable way possible. The successes we have been able to celebrate over the past three decades are above all the result of the exceptional commitment, expertise and passion of our employees. Equally crucial are our partners from industry and business, many of whom have become close friends over the years.” 


 

Nicolas Raeder (Martin Raeder, Olaf Manthey, Nicolas Raeder pictured above from left to right, courtesy Manthey) described the expansion to the U.S. and how important the market is for Manthey.


 

“There is no shortage of ideas, and we continue to open up new markets, as we are currently doing in the United States,” he said on the eve of the Rolex 24. “What has shaped me most is the development of our team: from the early days in a small group, through various stages of our growth, to the organization we are today, Manthey has continually evolved. With every step forward, structural demands increase, making it all the more important not to lose the personal touch.”


 

Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport and Chairman of the Board of Manthey Racing GmbH, added on the partnership between the two companies: “I would like to warmly congratulate Manthey on its 30th anniversary and am very pleased with our strong collaboration. For me, Manthey is a prime example of how far and how successfully a racing team can develop. It is a long journey from organizing individual motorsport events in the early days to becoming a development partner in the automotive industry. Manthey has taken that path. Company founder Olaf Manthey and everyone who contributed to this success can rightfully be proud.” 

A special Manthey Kit safety car paced the field at Daytona, a Porsche 911 GT3 RS with the Manthey Kit. This kit is available in the U.S. through 77 Manthey-certified Porsche Centers where purchase and installation of the kits are available for eight models. The safety car also made an appearance as part of IMSA’s full-field photo and drone video shot conducted on the Wednesday before the race itself.


 

Though qualifying didn’t go great for Manthey, the aforementioned quiet charge through the field positioned the No. 911 car in contention late. The Michelin Endurance Cup trio of Thomas Preining, Klaus Bachler and Ricardo Feller joined by Daytona extra, 2025 DTM champion Ayhancan Guven, put up a strong fight in the race.


 

“We were consistent and made no mistakes – that’s exactly what everyone expects from our top Manthey team,” Guven said. “After a disappointing qualifying result, we systematically fought our way back with a strong performance. In the final quarter of the race, we were running at the front, but in the battle for the class win, we just didn’t have quite enough pace. It’s disappointing, but overall, it was still an impressive showing from our team.”


 

The team’s sister car, its No. 912 entry, may be one to watch at the next round at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.


 

Past Sebring GTD class winner Ryan Hardwick shares the entry with young Dutchman Morris Schuring and Riccardo Pera. All are past 24 Hours of Le Mans class winners as well, Schuring in 2024 with Hardwick, Pera and Richard Lietz part of Manthey’s winning LMGT3 effort in 2025.


 

Hardwick makes his return to racing predominately in the U.S. for 2026, having been a staple as part of the IMSA paddock for several years prior. He’s coming off a banner 2025 season where he won Le Mans, another race at Imola and the FIA World Endurance Championship LMGT3 title. 


 

But he had the desire to come back Stateside after conquering the world tour in 2025 and doing so as part of Manthey’s U.S. expansion. 

“It’s all been very surreal and I’m off the most awesome 12 months of my life,” Hardwick said. “Le Mans and the championship was amazing and winning my first race in WEC at Imola, sharing a podium with Valentino Rossi as a motorcycle guy was awesome around there. It was a bit of a fanboy experience! I’ve raced against him a couple years but to share a podium in Italy. I don’t know if I’ll have another year like that in racing even again, but I’m going to try to get close.


 

“But coming back to IMSA for me is really special,” he affirmed. “This is where it all started from the single-make series. I’ve got a lot of great memories, winning the Rolex and Daytona in 2022, with Richie (Lietz) too. And the fans here at home mean a lot. I’m an American driver; it’s the most fun place to race and it’s great to be here with Manthey.”


 

Lietz joined the Manthey squad for Daytona only. But given his status as one of Porsche’s top GT drivers globally for a couple decades, he was keen to note what it meant for Manthey to join these shores.


 

“I think it’s always good in life if you challenge yourself and go outside your comfort zone,” he said. “For a German team, racing in America is a big effort. I think with Manthey now, with all their products, they’re producing for road cars, they have to look worldwide for their market. 


 

“The American market is always very interesting for Porsche and Manthey. The decision to go to IMSA was quite a smart one but definitely a big challenge. Grello on one side and Ryan this side, an American racer with a lot of success, is a great way to start your first year, but definitely a big challenge.”


 

Lietz spoke to Hardwick’s growth and development over the years, while also helping introduce the American audience to Pera and Schuring.


 

“Ryan’s a sportsman and wherever he goes, he’s going for success,” Lietz said. “With his jet ski career to now racing IMSA, ELMS, WEC, Daytona and Le Mans. He’s had a lot of success in just a short time and it speaks to his talent and commitment to motorsport. With Riccardo and Morris, they’re normal young racers, good people from good families with really nice character. They’re young and full of hope… like I was 20 years ago!” 


 

Quite how Manthey does in its remaining four starts in the Michelin Endurance Cup will be intriguing to watch. 


 

Raeder/Manthey and Safety Car Photos Courtesy of Manthey

 

IMSA Airbnb Endurance Challenge Premieres at Sebring for

LMP3 Competitors

First Two-Hour Race Brings Multi-Driver Racing Back to P3 Class


 

March 3, 2026

By Tony DiZinno

IMSA Wire Service

Entry List (Click Here)


 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Le Mans Prototype 3 (P3) class revives a long-standing multi-driver aspect with the launch of the new IMSA Airbnb Endurance Challenge, a four-round series for LMP3 competitors. It provides an opportunity for new drivers and teams to compete in prototype racing and builds on IMSA’s legacy of offering multi-driver LMP3 racing in the past across multiple series.


 

The Airbnb Endurance Challenge expands the program for LMP3 competitors that run 45-minute sprint races as part of the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge. The Airbnb Endurance Challenge starts at Sebring International Raceway this weekend with subsequent rounds at Circuit of The Americas, VIRginia International Raceway and Road America. 


 

The two-hour races feature teams able to run Bronze-Bronze, Bronze-Silver, Bronze-Gold or Silver-Silver FIA Driver-rated combinations. There is a minimum 40-minute and maximum 80-minute drive time within the 120-minute race. There is also a minimum pit time of 2.5 minutes (150 seconds); the pit stop time is calculated from pit-in to pit-out and applies each time the car enters pit lane during the race to refuel, change a complete set of tires or perform a driver change. Teams can’t refuel the car and change tires at the same time during the pit stop. 


 

One of the first teams to announce its two-driver program for the Airbnb Endurance Challenge was the rebranded Shopify Racing powered by TWOth. The TWOth moniker comes from brothers Travis and Trevor Hill, who together are “two th’s.” The two brothers are not sharing their new No. 2 Ligier JS P325; instead, Travis Hill will share the car with fellow Canadian Nicole Havrda, who makes her IMSA debut after shifting across from F1 Academy.


 

“It’s a nice well-rounded championship with the five sprints and four endurance races,” Travis Hill said. “It’s starting to look a little bit like (the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship), and for us, it’s about getting that preparation to try to get to WeatherTech in a few years.


 

“Part of our goal with Shopify Racing is to develop more Canadian talent and bring more Canadians into IMSA,” he added. “Nicole is a natural integration into that.” 


 

The No. 2 Ligier is one of eight LMP3 entries for the first Airbnb Endurance Challenge round. The BMW M2 Racing (M2) debut will occur alongside P3 at Circuit of The Americas in May, to ensure teams are ready for endurance racing with proper testing of the brand-new cars and drivers to IMSA. 


 

Gebhardt Motorsport shifted its approach from running Oscar Tunjo alongside Jeremy Siffert in its No. 1 Duqueine D08 to seeing Tunjo now with 2025 VP Racing Challenge P3 champion Valentino Catalano, back in action as Siffert will focus on the sprint rounds. The team’s second car, the No. 11 PINAXIS-ZONE 4 Racing Duqueine D08, will see Danny Soufi alongside Jake Williamson.


 

Toney Driver Development’s two Ligier JS P325s feature in with some returning names and faces. Longtime IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Grand Sport (GS) class competitor Ari Balogh shares the No. 30 Ligier with Garett Grist, a two-time Motul Petit Le Mans class winner in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Lincoln Day shares the No. 95 Ligier with Wyatt Brichacek, who has raced several WeatherTech Championship events in Lone Star Racing’s Mercedes-AMG GT3 and won both VP Racing Challenge races at Circuit of The Americas.


 

Forte Racing carries on with series veteran and LMP3 Bronze Cup champion Brian Thienes sharing his No. 77 Ligier JS P320 with Patrick Kujala, a Lamborghini Super Trofeo veteran. 


 

Past LMP3 Team champions FastMD with Remstar field the No. 87 Duqueine D08 with Farhan Siddiqi and Jagger Jones, grandson of Parnelli Jones and a multi-time IMSA P3 winner.


 

Matt Forbush and IMSA veteran Tom Long share the No. 18 Forbush Performance Ligier JS P320. Forbush Performance has past IMSA experience in Michelin Pilot Challenge GS. 


 

Six of the eight entries will vie for Bronze Cup honors; the Tunjo/Catalano No. 1 Gebhardt Duqueine and Day/Brichacek No. 95 Toney Ligier are the only two all-Silver lineups in the field.


 

Airbnb Endurance Challenge entries have two 50-minute practices with one Friday afternoon and a second on Saturday morning. A 15-minute qualifying session takes place Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. ET before the two-hour race goes green on Sunday, March 8 at 10:55 a.m. ET and streams globally on the IMSA Official YouTube channel. 

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