GEBHARDT Motorsport's 2026 racing season kicks off at the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge in Daytona.
After a successful 2025 season, in which GEBHARDT Motorsport won two titles in the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge with Valentino Catalano, the Sinsheim-based team will start the 2026 racing year in Daytona. The series will kick off this year's season in Daytona as part of the Roar Before the Rolex 24. The German team will field three Duqueine D08 LMP3 cars on the traditional circuit in Florida.
Oscar Tunjo from Colombia, one of the world's fastest LMP3 drivers, and American Danny Soufi, last year's Prototype Cup Germany champion, will compete for GEBHARDT Motorsport throughout the season. The team will also be competing in Daytona with a third Duqueine, which will be driven by Jérémy Siffert.
Siffert's car will be a particular eye-catcher. The Swiss driver's LMP3 car will feature a design based on the Gulf colours of his grandfather Jo Siffert, with whom he enjoyed many successes. Jo Siffert, who won the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring, died in a Formula 1 accident at Brands Hatch in 1971.
The participants in the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge have already completed the first two practice sessions on the infield circuit of the world-famous superspeedway. Danny Soufi set the fastest time in the first practice session. In the second session, Oscar Tunjo set the fastest time in his Duqueine with start number #1. Jérémy Sffert was in the upper midfield in both sessions, showing a promising performance.
‘Our season in the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge is finally underway! Our goal is very clear: we want to defend both titles from last year and once again be consistently among the leaders in the series with our cars. Our performance in practice gives us a lot of confidence,’ said team owner Fritz Gebhardt.
The two races of the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge in Daytona will take place on Saturday at 2:00 pm local time (20:00 German time) and on Sunday at 1:20 pm local time (17:20 German time). The race can be followed worldwide via YouTube livestream.
IMSA VP SportsCar Challenge 2026 schedule:
16.01. – 19.01. – Daytona (Sprint)
27.02. – 28.02. – Circuit of the Americas Austin (Sprint)
06.03. – 08.03. – Sebring (Endurance)
07.05. – 09.05. – Circuit of the Americas Austin (Endurance)
05.06. – 07.06. – Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (Sprint)
19.06. – 21.06. – Virginia International Raceway (Endurance)
10.07. – 12.07. – Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (Sprint)
14.08. – 16.08. – Road America (Endurance)
01.10. – 03.10. – Road Atlanta (Sprint)
