It didn’t take lengthy to settle in as Manthey secured victory within the GTD Professional class on the 74th version of the 12 Hours of Sebring with the well-known “Grello,” pushed by , , and Ricardo Feller. They prevailed towards, of all automobiles, the well-known AO Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R , often known as ‘Roxy’ when carrying the pink shade scheme.
The race was determined by a daring transfer by Preining towards King within the penultimate hour. “Thomas made a powerful transfer to go Roxy, took the lead, and constructed precisely the hole we would have liked strategically. He then managed it completely,” mentioned Patrick Arkenau, Head of Racing at Manthey.
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It was their second IMSA race and first victory within the American collection on simply their second try. The one-two end by the 2 911 Porsches capped off a profitable day for Porsche, as there was additionally a 1-2 end for the producer in GTP, courtesy of Penske.
The final time the producer from Zuffenhausen managed to safe a 1-2 end in two courses was in 2008. Again then, the RS Spyder (LMP2) and the 911 GT3 RSR (GT2) triumphed. Eighteen years later, this feat was repeated due to the successes within the GTP class and the GT courses. (Albeit with some battle within the prototype class)
Bachler celebrated his third class victory at this conventional race, following wins in 2023 and 2025. “Once you take a look at all these info, it truly is a memorable day,” mentioned the Austrian. “We had super automotive efficiency and excellent steadiness—particularly on the finish of the race. However strategically, we have been top-notch as effectively.”
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#911 Manthey Porsche 911: Thomas Preining, Klaus Bachler, Ricardo Feller
#911 Manthey Porsche 911: Thomas Preining, Klaus Bachler, Ricardo Feller
Preining is impressed by the fierce competitors within the U.S., saying: “The final two hours have been identical to within the DTM: full throttle and going into the battles with complete dedication. It’s unbelievable how shortly we’ve discovered our option to success as a brand new workforce in IMSA.”
“Competing right here as a European workforce is an actual Herculean activity, and the truth that all the things goes so easily and we’ve already gained in our second race is really outstanding.”
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“Roxy” needed to accept second place this time. , who drove the #77 alongside Harry King and , is happy to have made amends after the tough season opener in Daytona: “Our Porsche drove rather well. We selected a daring technique and have been rewarded.”
The Manthey workforce is now heading again to dwelling turf. The main target is as soon as once more on the and the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring. The “Grello” gained’t return to the U.S. till June for the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen.
Forward of that race, Manthey Managing Director Nicki Raeder is already warning the competitors to anticipate a good stronger “Grello,” saying: “This race has as soon as once more proven simply how demanding IMSA actually is. The extent right here is extremely excessive, and the competitors may be very sturdy. For us as a brand new workforce on this championship, which means we nonetheless have rather a lot to be taught in lots of areas and are growing step-by-step.”
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“There are all the time conditions the place you understand: We’ll do this higher subsequent time. It’s exactly this studying curve that makes it so interesting. We’re taking rather a lot away from this weekend and look ahead to proving ourselves additional.”
Translated from German
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