Manthey Reworks Watkins Glen Lineups Ahead of Six‑Hour Race
A weekend clash with the 24 Hours of Spa has forced Manthey to deploy Michael Christensen, Loek Hartog, Richard Lietz as replacements to preserve its Michelin Endurance Cup entries.
Overview
- This week Manthey confirmed Michael Christensen and rookie Loek Hartog will join Klaus Bachler in the No. 911 GTD Pro Porsche and Richard Lietz will replace Morris Schuring in the No. 912 GTD Porsche, with Hartog set to make his IMSA debut.
- The changes follow a scheduling conflict that sends regular Manthey drivers Thomas Preining, Ricardo Feller and Morris Schuring to the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa on the same weekend as the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen.
- IMSA published a 54‑car provisional entry list for Watkins Glen showing all four classes returning for the third Michelin Endurance Cup round and prompting several similar driver substitutions across teams.
- Manthey’s No. 911 was the GTD Pro winner at Sebring, and the team says the short‑term lineup shuffle is meant to protect its championship momentum by keeping strong, experienced Porsche drivers in the car.
- The Spa/Glen clash has created quick opportunities and disruptions for drivers and customer teams, with knock‑on effects on team continuity and championship battles that will be clearer once practice and the race weekend unfold.