JDX Racing led at the start, and most importantly at the end, of the first Porsche Endurance Challenge North America by Yokohama race of 2026, but the team had to work mid‑race to secure its win at Sebring International Raceway.
The star‑studded 992 Pro‑Am category featured current and former Porsche Carrera Cup North America racers including Aaron Jeansonne, Yyves Baltas, Jared Thomas, and 2025 Carrera Cup Champion and current Porsche Selected Driver Ryan Yardley.
Polesitter Roberto Tutino partnered with veteran driver Daniel Morad for the 100‑minute enduro, starting their #260 JDX Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup in the 992 Pro‑Am class from pole position.
Tutino was shuffled outside the top-three early and when Morad hopped behind the wheel, the Canadian slashed a 10-second gap to capture the lead in the closing laps of the race in spectacular fashion.
Morad’s move came on former Champ Car and Porsche Carrera Cup North America driver Dan Clarke, who held on for second place alongside co-driver Blake McGovern. Chris Hutter and former Porsche Sprint Challenge North America graduate Jared Thomas completed the Pro-Am podium in third.
In the 992 Am category, Matt Dusek and Charlie Hayes had a rollercoaster day but emerged on top with CHR, just months after the team finished second in the 2025 Endurance Challenge championship standings.
Dusek held a strong lead early in Sunday’s contest, but clashed with a Pro-Am car before the driver change. Hayes inherited the slightly damaged #251 911 GT3 Cup, but went on for the win.
Charles Espenlaub made a pass on Tyler Hoffman in the final quarter hour of the race to finish second with Henry Marshall. Hoffman and Michael Cobb finished third.
After an up-and-down weekend in Sprint Challenge North America, William Peluchiwski ended his Sebring trip on top in the Cayman Pro-Am class.
After starting third, Peluchiwski kept his #62 Kellymoss Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport clean for co-driver and coach Andrew Davis. Following the mandatory pit stop, Davis cycled into the class lead and never relinquished the position.
Dan Drohan tallied another podium finish at Sebring after winning the opening Sprint Challenge race on Friday on his debut and finishing second in the Cayman Pro-Am on Sunday with Taylor Van Overbeek.
The father–daughter duo of Greg and Anna Cecchi followed in third after also finding success earlier in the Sprint Challenge weekend. Both competed in the Cayman races, with the younger Cecchi sweeping her Pro-Am class and Greg finishing on the Masters podium on Friday, capping of a trophy-filled weekend for Charlie Hayes Racing.
There was another comeback story to be found deeper in the field to conclude Sunday’s enduro. Heinlein Racing Development proved to be the team to beat with drivers Todd Ruttura and Reginald Tartaglione, but a penalty during the pit stop dropped closing driver Tartaglione behind fellow Cayman competitor Justin Lewis.
However, in his #59 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, Tartaglione chased down Lewis to regain the lead and eventual win in the final 10 minutes of the race.
Roberto Tutino / Daniel Morad #260
Blake McGovern / Dan Clarke #240
Chris Hutter / Jared Thomas #281
Matt Dusek / Charlie Hayes #251
Henry Marshall / Charles Espenlaub #278
Michael Cobb / Tyler Hoffman #253
William Peluchiwski / Andrew Davis #62
Dan Drohan / Taylor Van Overbeek #98
Anna Cecchi / Greg Cecchi #72
Todd Ruttura / Reginald Tartaglione #59
Justin Lewis #75
Belgian young star Karel Staut and female racer Anna Cecchi emerged as the standout winners of the 2026 Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama season opener at Sebring International Raceway.
15-year-old Staut captured both 992 victories across the weekend, while Porsche Mobil 1 Female Driver Program racer Cecchi completed a Cayman sweep with back-to-back victories.
This year marks the series’ sixth season of competition after its inaugural run in 2021, and drivers from across the country – and even abroad – gathered in central Florida to kick off the calendar.
Two stories could be told about the two 992 races at Sebring, which featured a relaxed Race 1 on Friday and a hectic Race 2 on Saturday.
Despite the varying conditions and with nearly 40 entries, the Pro-Am and Masters classes saw the same victors – Karel Staut with Kellymoss and Matt Smith with ACI Motorsports, respectively – on both days.
Friday’s race ran green flag for the full duration and both winners led every lap en route to the first checkered flag of the season.
However, rain began to pour over the 3.74-mile circuit at the start of Race 2, leading to a nearly 15-minute red flag stoppage to give the teams an opportunity to change to wet weather Yokohamas.
Racing resumed with seven minutes to go, but several cars fell victim to the slippery surface and brought out a race-ending yellow flag.
In both races, Staut’s closest competition was Porsche Junior Program’s Riley Giacomazzi & Matthew Siegal, seeing the trio have a spirited start to Race 2 before Staut ultimately pulled away.
It was the Belgian’s first outing in Porsche One‑Make competition, stepping up from single‑seater racing in F4 with his only prior Porsche 911 GT3 Cup experience coming from European testing at the end of 2025.
Giacomazzi, another young driver but no stranger to the Porsche family, finished second in Race 1, while Matthew Siegal finished third on Friday and second on Saturday. Tony Malito also took a turn on the podium, finishing third in Race 2.
The 992 Masters class saw a similar podium sequence. Alain Scalzo finished second on Friday, while Todd Trefferet finished third in Race 1 and second in Race 2.
Longtime Porsche single-make racer, Mark Boden, completed Saturday’s podium in third.
Starting her second full season of professional racing and ahead of International Women’s Day on Sunday, Anna Cecchi cruised for back-to-back Cayman Pro-Am class victories at Sebring in her Charlie Hayes Racing #27 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport machine.
Only once in 2025 did the up-and-comer win in Porsche Sprint Challenge North America USA West, but Cecchi’s seamless performances on Friday and Saturday could be a sign of what’s ahead for the Porsche Mobil 1 Female Driver in 2026.
She started on pole position and led flag-to-flag in both races, and anytime runner-up finisher Keith Grant closed in, she expanded the deficit back again.
Grant’s closest opportunity came on the final lap of Race 1, but he finished a narrow .205 seconds behind Cecchi and again in Race 2 by 1.623 seconds.
His brother and Grant Motorsports teammate, David Grant, finished third in Saturday’s race, while Spencer Propper rounded out the podium in Race 1 the day prior.
The Cayman Masters class saw a variety of faces on the podium at Sebring, and Dan Drohan was first to strike on his series debut with a Race 1 win on Friday.
Drohan – teammates with Cecchi at CHR – found himself in the lead on lap 1 after the polesitter William Peluchiwski was caught in a scuffle with another competitor.
Series newcomer Drohan would hold on to the lead for the remainder of the race, finishing ahead of Anna Cecchi’s father, Greg, in second and Ramy Farid in third.
The elder Cecchi and Farid provided some of the most entertaining battles of the day, concluding with Cecchi nipping Farid at the checkered flag by just .018 seconds.
In Race 2, 2025 Sprint Challenge USA West champion Tom Rogers prevailed for the win after a difficult first race on Friday, and Peluchiwski also enjoyed a rebound performance by finishing second.
The only Cayman Masters driver to finish on the podium in both races was Farid, who finished third again on Saturday.
After a year away, Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama returns to Barber Motorsports Park in three weeks, joining IndyCar at the immaculate Alabama circuit for Round 2 of the 2026 season.
With 24 cars entered and powerhouse Porsche customer teams on the grid, the 2026 Porsche Endurance Challenge North America by Yokohama season begins March 8 at Sebring International Raceway.
Introduced in 2024, the championship has quickly become a proving ground for drivers transitioning from sprint racing into professional endurance competition, becoming a key step in the North American Porsche Motorsport Pyramid. That pathway is clearly reflected on this year’s entry list.
Reigning Porsche Carrera Cup North America champion Ryan Yardley, now a 2026 Porsche Motorsport North America Selected Driver, used Endurance Challenge as a stepping stone before moving into full-season GT3 competition in GT World Challenge America presented by AWS.
Yardley and David Musial Jr crossed the line first as an invitational entry in the final race of the 2025 season – the four-hour Road Atlanta battle and the duo is now headed to World Challenge this season in a Wright Motorsports-entered Porsche 911 GT3 R.
The same can be said for Zachary Vanier, the 2025 Porsche Global Junior Shootout North American representative. Vanier was an Endurance Challenge regular in the past two seasons alongside Mike Mim. This season, he too will drive a 911 GT3 R in World Challenge – teamed with fellow Carrera Cup ace Michael McCann.
Other racers to use the series as a stepping stone to open competition in GT World Challenge North America powered by AWS include John Gilliland, Todd Parriott, Michael Clarke, Scott Blind plus Reinhold Krahn and Loek Hartog who are also flying the flag internationally.
Their progression demonstrates what the championship is built to do: provide one-make drivers with a clear, structured path to learn endurance racing before moving up to global GT competition.
The 100-minute Sebring opener will feature 24 cars across four classes – a grid packed with IMSA and SRO regulars.
Leading Porsche One-Make teams well represented. TOPP Racing, JTR Motorsports Engineering, JDX Racing, Kellymoss, ACI Motorsport, Charlie Hayes Racing, Competition Motorsports, Vintage Racing Company, and HM Road Racing headline a paddock that reads like an all-star line-up of the Porsche customer racing ecosystem.
At the front of the Pro-Am field, outright contention is expected to be fierce.
Ryan Yardley returns alongside Dave Musial Sr., Trenton Estep teams with Joel Johnson, while Dan Clarke partners with Blake McGovern. International experience is well represented by Dutchman Jeroen Bleekemolen alongside Tim Pappas and Daniel Morad forming an all-Canada pairing with Roberto Tutino.
Additional Pro-Am contenders include a “who’s who” from Porsche Carrera Cup North America race winners, including Yves Baltas with Matt Joffe and Aaron Jeansonne paired with Keith McGovern.
2024 Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama champ and Carrera Cup Pro class contender Jared Thomas is running three cars with his JTR Motorsports Engineering squad – winners of the final round of 2025. Thomas himself will co-drive with Chris Hutter.
The Cayman category brings its own compelling storylines. Veteran Andrew Davis joins William Peluchiwski for Kellymoss. Second-generation racer Taylor van Overbeek, son of Porsche IMSA-legend and Rolex 24 winner Johannes van Overbeek, teams with Dan Drohan as the next generation continues to carve its own path within Porsche competition.
The mix of 911 GT3 Cup cars and 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsports create a true multi-class race that will test strategy, traffic management, and consistency – all essentials at the demanding Sebring circuit.
Fans can witness the opening round in person; tickets are available to the public via https://am.ticketmaster.com/sir/buy/USAC.
The Sebring event will also feature the opening round of Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama, with track action kicking off with testing from Wednesday, March 4. Official practice kicks off on Thursday, March 5, with separate GT3 Cup and Cayman Sprint Challenge races scheduled for Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7.
The Porsche Endurance Challenge North America by Yokohama opening round will take the green at 2:55 pm on Sunday, March 8. All qualifying sessions and the five races will be streamed live on Porsche Motorsport North America’s channels on YouTube, X, Facebook, and Linkedin.
A new chapter began for Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama as the series visited Arizona’s APEX Motor Club for the first time to open the 2026 season.
Located less than an hour from Phoenix, Arizona, APEX hosted four classes of racing on Saturday and Sunday in temperatures that reached 80 degrees, despite varying conditions throughout the country.
Winning overall in both rounds was Brannan Hankins – his first weekend sweep in the series after scoring one win in Sprint Challenge the year prior.
Hankins ran amongst Jordan Darling & David Fabi in the Pro-Am class, both of which made their Porsche Sprint Challenge debut at APEX. Hankins would start from pole and finish first in both races.
In the 992 Masters class, the weekend victories were split between Henry Marshall on Saturday and Laura Ely on Sunday.
After competing in the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport in previous seasons, Marshall emerged unscathed from a Lap 1 Race 1 incident with multiple cars to go on to take the win on his debut race with the striking HM Road Racing #278 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car.
Black Sheep’s Ely made her race-winning pass on Sunday with 20 minutes in the contest over the previous day’s victor.
In the Cayman Masters class, Greg Herback secured his first Sprint Challenge career victories at APEX Motor Club.
Fittingly, during the Olympics weekend, the former downhill ski racer won both races over the weekend, just one year after finishing in second place in the same class standings.
Herback finished ahead of Justin Lewis, another series debutant at APEX Motor Club.
As the singular Cayman Pro-Am competitor, Zach Bradford – also running his first Sprint Challenge season – finished first-in-class on both Saturday and Sunday in his #14 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport.
Running alongside the Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West event on Sunday was the first Porsche GT Track Day of 2026, hosted by Porsche Motorsport North America.
More than 35 guests participated in the exclusive experience, which allowed them to bring their 21 Porsche road cars out for nearly two hours of open lapping on the exclusive APEX Motor Park circuit.
The guests enjoyed full VIP hospitality throughout the day, including paddock tours, a meet and greet with legendary Porsche racer Darren Law, and experienced an unforgettable finale of hot laps in the newly-delivered Porsche 911 Cup car (Type 992.2), and a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car.
Professional racers Andy Lee & Brandon Chappell each piloted the Porsche race cars, delivering thrilling rides that capped off a high-octane day immersed in Porsche motorsport.
While the USA West division returns for its next event at Sonoma Raceway on April 10 – 12, Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama starts its season at Sebring International Raceway from March 6 – 8, just before the historic 12 Hours of Sebring weekend.
The Central Florida event also doubles as the start of the 2026 Porsche Endurance Challenge North America by Yokohama season.
All Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West y Yokohama races stream live – and are available to watch anytime – on the Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube channel. Stay up-to-date on all the latest news by following Porsche Motorsport North America on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, and Twitter and by subscribing to the newsletter.
Race 1 Podium.
992
Pro-Am
Masters
Cayman
Pro-Am
Masters
Race 2 Podium.
992
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Masters
Cayman.
Pro-Am
Masters
Full results from all sessions can be found here, and all photos can be found here.
The Jared Thomas Porsche story does not begin with a single defining moment. Instead, it has been shaped over decades, from family weekends at the racetrack to engineering classrooms to late nights spent wrenching on cars when there was no other option.
By the time Thomas captured the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama title in 2024, he had already established himself as one of North America’s most accomplished modern one-make racers.
And now – with a line-up of up to five entries for JTR Race Engineering for this year’s Sprint Challenge championship – he is quickly becoming even better known as a team owner.
“It all started when I was probably 14 or 15 years old,” Thomas said.
“I’ve raced something since I was five – karts, pavement late models on circle tracks, cars in SCCA. It was always my hobby growing up with my dad.”
That foundation – built without outside funding – shaped both Thomas’ driving and his technical mindset.
“My dad and I always did all of our own work,” he explained. “We could never really afford to pay anybody else to do it for us, so I had a big knowledge base early on.”
Even as success came, Jared Thomas understood the financial realities of professional motorsport.
“I knew how expensive it was to get to the top levels,” he said. “So while driving was always the passion, I knew I needed another way to stay in the sport long-term.”
That led him to pursue a motorsports engineering degree at Purdue University, where he combined academics with continued racing. A breakthrough arrived during his time competing in Spec Miata, when he earned a nomination to Mazda’s highly competitive shootout scholarship.
“They start with 40 drivers, narrow it to six, and put you head-to-head at the track,” Thomas said. “I was fortunate enough to win that.”
The scholarship launched Thomas into Mazda MX-5 Cup competition in 2020, delaying his post-graduation engineering career in favor of a professional racing opportunity. It also planted the seeds for what would become his own race operation.
“We were doing all of the work ourselves,” Thomas said. “About halfway through the season, I started thinking, why don’t I open this up to customers that want to go racing?”
Using his Rookie of the Year winnings, Jared Thomas bought a trailer, added a customer, and began building a program that blended driving, engineering, and team ownership. The approach paid dividends on track.
Thomas went on to win back-to-back Mazda MX-5 Cup championships in 2022 and 2023, cementing his reputation as one of the most complete drivers in the paddock. Those titles also reinforced his belief in learning every element of the race car from the inside out.
That philosophy carried directly into Porsche competition. When Jared Thomas and his team committed to Porsche racing, the focus was intentional and methodical.
“We wanted to learn the car ourselves from a technical and engineering side,” he said. “So we could transfer that knowledge to everyone under the tent.”
Adapting to the rear-engine Porsche 992.1 Cup car required a reset.
“The biggest step was figuring out the style the car liked,” Thomas explained. “Along with learning the technical adjustments. Everything I’d raced before was front-engine. This was completely different.”
The learning curve was steep, but results followed quickly. In 2024, Thomas claimed the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama championship, adding a third major one-make title to his résumé – and validating the process behind it.
“That was the goal,” he said. “Go show our performance and let that speak for itself. And I think it worked out pretty well.”
Sprint Challenge, Thomas believes, is one of the most effective development environments in North American motorsport.
“It’s perfect for drivers who aren’t quite ready for full professional racing,” he said.
“Porsche Motorsport North America does a great job making new drivers feel comfortable, and the technical and parts support is second to none.”
That support, he emphasized, often determines whether a weekend is saved or lost.
“You could have a $5 part ruin your entire weekend,” Thomas said. “But with Porsche, you walk to the truck, get the part, and you’re back on track. That matters more than people realize.”
The championship also served as the final step before Thomas’ next challenge. In 2025, he made his debut in Porsche Carrera Cup North America, stepping into one of the most competitive single-make championships in the world.
“Sprint Challenge was very important before taking that step,” he said. “Carrera Cup is extremely competitive. Getting the seat time, the experience, and racing against the same guys beforehand gives you a leg up.”
As Thomas’ own driving career has progressed, so too has his perspective on success. Today, victories earned by drivers under the JTR banner carry just as much weight as his own results – sometimes more.
“I found a lot of joy in it,” Thomas said when asked about watching his drivers win. “It just goes to show all the hard work that I’m putting in, as well as the rest of the team, is paying off.”
That sense of pride comes from being deeply involved in every aspect of the operation, far beyond race weekends.
“I’m in the shop every day,” he explained. “I’m working my butt off with every guy on this team, trying to give the best product to our drivers that we can.”
It is a perspective shaped by experience on both sides of the fence – as a driver chasing championships and as an engineer building cars, systems, and people.
“When you’re just one driver to another on a team, they probably don’t feel any gratitude when someone else is successful,” Thomas said. “But I do. A win from another driver on our team feels just as good as a win for me.”
That mindset is central to JTR’s approach as the program continues to expand in Porsche competition. The team is targeting six total entries this season across its Sprint Challenge efforts – a milestone that reflects both competitive ambition and operational maturity.
Rather than rapid expansion for its own sake, Jared Thomas is focused on controlled growth, ensuring each entry receives the same level of preparation and support that defined his own championship runs.
“It all ties back to the same philosophy,” Thomas said earlier. “Learn the car, learn the process, and make sure we’re giving everyone the best opportunity to succeed.”
Porsche Motorsport North America has announced a new multi-year partnership with K1 Speed designed to identify and elevate the next generation of racing talent. The collaboration creates a clear pathway from competitive karting into the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid, with Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama and Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama serving as the entry point for selected drivers.
Through the partnership, Porsche Motorsport branding will be featured across more than 70 K1 Speed locations in the United States, introducing thousands of racers and fans to Porsche’s customer racing ecosystem. In turn, K1 Speed branding will appear on Porsche single-make race cars competing in Porsche Carrera Cup North America, Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama, Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama, and Porsche Endurance Challenge North America by Yokohama.
“K1 Speed hosts thousands of motorsports enthusiasts each year and all of us at PMNA look forward to connecting with them,” Volker Holzmeyer, President and CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America, said. “Whether they are casual fans of motorsport or are searching for a path into professional racing, we are excited to introduce them all to the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid and the opportunities that it offers.”
The foundation of the program is the K1 Challenge GP, K1 Speed’s international competitive karting league structure. The leagues are divided into Junior, Teen, and Adult age groups, with the Teen and Adult categories forming the K1 Speed side of the Porsche selection process. Drivers compete monthly at their local K1 Speed facility, earning points toward advancement into state and national-level competition.
From the group of top performers who reach the national stage, Porsche Motorsport North America and K1 Speed will jointly select two standout drivers. One teen and one adult racer will earn a waived entry fee for a future season of either Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama or Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama, offering a direct transition from indoor karting to professional-level sports car racing.
“It’s an immense honor for K1 to partner with Porsche Motorsport North America to provide up-and-coming American racers with an extraordinary opportunity,” said David Danglard, CEO and Founder of K1 Speed and K1 Circuit. “We built K1 on the belief that future champions start here, and this partnership with Porsche creates a pathway to take them from our indoor tracks to the country’s greatest circuits.”
By aligning with K1 Speed’s nationwide footprint and competitive league structure, Porsche Motorsport North America continues to expand access to its customer racing ladder. For aspiring drivers, the partnership represents a tangible first step toward Porsche Sprint Challenge competition and a potential long-term future in Porsche One-Make racing in North America.
With 55 days remaining until the cars hit the track, Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama is charging toward a fifth season packed with major additions to the calendar.
The 2026 schedule features a debut at Arizona’s APEX Motor Club, the series’ first appearance at the Velocity International at Sonoma Raceway, and a championship finale alongside IndyCar at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
With entries now open, many of the championship’s long-time Porsche customer teams are expected to return, maintaining the core group that has defined the series since its launch in 2022.
“Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West has been built on stability, consistency, and the long-term commitment of our customer teams,” said Volker Holzmeyer, President and CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America.
“The 2026 calendar maintains that foundation while introducing exciting new venues such as APEX Motor Club, along with major events like Velocity International and the IndyCar weekend at Laguna Seca. These platforms give our competitors the opportunity to perform on a much bigger stage.”
February 6–8 — APEX Motor Club
The season opens with the championship’s first visit to the private Arizona facility.
April 10–12 — Sonoma Raceway (with PSCNA & PECNA)
A shared weekend aimed at reducing operational costs for teams competing across multiple Porsche One-Make programs.
May 7–9 — Circuit of the Americas (with PSCNA)
A return to COTA for a combined event with the national Sprint Challenge series.
May 29–31 — Sonoma Raceway (Velocity Invitational)
The series makes its debut at Velocity, one of North America’s premier motorsport festivals.
August 14–16 — Road America (with PSCNA & PECNA)
Another joint weekend designed to streamline travel and logistics.
September 4–6 — WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (with IndyCar)
The season concludes at Laguna Seca, once again supporting the IndyCar weekend.
The 2026 season begins February 6–8 at APEX Motor Club, marking the championship’s first trip to the desert venue. The season opener will run in conjunction with the first Porsche GT Track Day of 2026, an exclusive experience designed for Porsche owners to unleash the full potential of their Porsche road cars in a motorsport environment.
APEX Motor Club is a members-only motorsport complex south of Phoenix, offering a purpose-built circuit and modern support facilities. It has quickly become a regular choice for track development programs and premium automotive events.
One of the most high-profile events on the calendar arrives May 29–31, when the championship joins Velocity Invitational at Sonoma Raceway.
Known for its premium fan experience, rare race machinery, and manufacturer showcases, Velocity brings Sprint Challenge competitors in front of one of the largest and most diverse motorsport audiences on the West Coast.
This will be the series’s first appearance at the event and is expected to be a significant highlight of the 2026 season.
“Velocity International is a perfect fit for Sprint Challenge,” Holzmeyer said.
“Some of the most significant Porsche race cars in history have competed at Velocity, including the Gulf-liveried Porsche 917 and Mark Donohue’s Penske Can-Am car. It is a world-class showcase that brings together enthusiasts, partners, and future drivers.”
The Velocity event is one of two visits to Sonoma Raceway in 2026. Round two of the championship will also be held at the venue, which has been a popular destination for the West Coast-based Porsche customer teams.
The championship will conclude September 4–6 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, running alongside the NTT IndyCar Series.
The joint weekend provides a major-league stage for the final championship battles and continues Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama’s presence at one of America’s most historic racing venues.
Porsche has become the Official Car of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. This move paves the way for a new Porsche Driving Center at the track and accelerates the ongoing revitalization of the iconic circuit.
A key feature of the 2026 calendar is its strategic alignment with Porsche Sprint Challenge North America and Porsche Endurance Challenge North America events.
By pairing multiple Porsche programs at the same venues, teams benefit from reduced transportation and operational expenses while retaining the same level of technical support.
“Shared weekends help our teams race more efficiently without compromising on quality,” Holzmeyer noted. “It’s an approach that allows us to deliver a strong championship while keeping costs manageable.”
Joint weekends include:
Yokohama, the series longtime tire partner, enters 2026 with new product innovation tailored specifically to Sprint Challenge competition in the Cayman class.
“We’re thrilled to extend our partnership as the official tire supplier for Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West,” said Patricia Wall, Yokohama’s Senior Motorsports Manager.
“For 2026, we’ve developed brand-new front and rear tires specifically for the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, engineered to deliver exceptional grip and consistency. We can’t wait to see these tires in action on the iconic tracks featured in the West series and especially at Apex Motor Club, an exciting new addition to the schedule.”
Last season produced an impressive group of champions across the Sprint Challenge USA West categories. Daniel Hanley captured the 2025 992 Pro-Am title, and Scott Blind earned the Masters championship, with both drivers attending the Porsche Night of Champions in December.
In the Cayman classes, Jack Parriott secured the Pro-Am crown, and Tom Rogers won the Masters division. Competition Motorsports completed the year as the Team Champion.
All Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama races will once again be broadcast live on the Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube channel, ensuring fans around the world can follow every lap of the 2026 season.
The popular Porsche Driver Development programs, including the Junior and Female Driver initiatives, offered by Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA), will continue in 2026. Each program provides participants in Porsche customer racing with financial support and development tools to advance their motorsport careers.
PMNA has announced the details of the 2026 Porsche Junior and Female Driver programs, which support eligible drivers in Porsche Carrera Cup North America, Porsche Sprint Challenge North America, and Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West. Drivers competing in a Porsche who meet eligibility criteria in other open-competition championships, including IMSA and SRO, may also receive support through these programs.
The Porsche Junior program officially launched in 2021 alongside Porsche Carrera Cup North America but has its roots in the Porsche Young Driver Academy dating back to 2012. The Female Driver Program was introduced in 2022. Since their inception, both programs have helped develop the careers of prominent drivers within the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid North America, including Loek Hartog, Elliott Skeer, Seb Priaulx, Parker Thompson, and Kay Van Berlo, many of whom have achieved success on the world stage.
Both programs emphasize driver development through performance-based incentives, including race tires and entry fee support. Seminars during Porsche Carrera Cup North America race weekends cover topics ranging from performance thinking to car setup and driver-engineer communication, with guidance from Porsche racing legends Richard Westbrook and Patrick Long.
For the third consecutive year, a two-day seminar will take place at the Porsche Penske Motorsport shop in Mooresville, North Carolina. This in-depth program includes sessions on sponsorship activation, social media, physical fitness, mental training, and media skills.
“All of us at Porsche Motorsport North America are proud of the drivers who participate in these programs year after year,” said Volker Holzmeyer, President and CEO of PMNA. “The Porsche Driver Development programs have grown in both quantity and quality over the years, and we have seen graduates achieve great success. We wish next year’s class the same and welcome all aspiring drivers to the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid.”
In addition to training, both programs provide financial assistance.
Female Driver program participants receive 50 percent of entry fees for Porsche single-make races covered by PMNA. The top female driver in each Porsche Carrera Cup North America race earns a free set of tires for the next race weekend, with an additional set awarded to the top point scorer across the weekend. Top-scoring drivers in Sprint Challenge North America and Sprint Challenge USA West receive a free set of race tires for the following weekend’s events.
Similarly, Junior Program participants can earn race tires based on championship performance, as well as entry fee support in Porsche Carrera Cup North America. The highest-finishing drivers in each Porsche Sprint Challenge category may have their 2027 entry fees covered, helping them progress through the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid North America.
All of last year’s PMNA Selected Drivers came through the Junior Program. Riley Dickinson and Loek Hartog used awarded parts credits to compete in GT4 America in Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport machinery. Tom Sargent competed with Wright Motorsports at Michelin Endurance Championship rounds in the IMSA WeatherTech Championship using similar program support.
Other drivers, like Zachary Vanier, leveraged their Junior Program experience to compete in Porsche Carrera Cup North America. After winning the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America title in 2023, Vanier has captured five Carrera Cup North America victories and represented North America at the Porsche Junior Shootout in Portugal. Paul Bocuse advanced through the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid North America, winning a Cayman Pro-Am championship in Porsche Sprint Challenge before moving to the GT3 Cup Pro-Am class and eventually to Porsche Carrera Cup North America in 2025.
The Female Driver Program continues to expand, growing from a single participant in its inaugural 2023 season to seven drivers in 2025. Three drivers—Sabré Cook, Madeline Stewart, and Ashley Freiberg—competed full-time in Porsche Carrera Cup North America in 2025. Loni Unser, Erika Hoffmann, and Anna Cecchi each won Porsche Sprint Challenge races, while Therese Lahlou achieved podium finishes in the highly competitive GT3 Cup Pro-Am class.
Porsche Sprint Challenge North America and Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West will continue their successful partnership with Yokohama Tire into the 2026 season, marking the tire manufacturer’s sixth consecutive year as Official Tire Partner and Presenting Partner of both USAC-sanctioned series.
Yokohama will also remain the Official Tire Supplier of Porsche Endurance Challenge North America for a third consecutive season. Across all three series, competitors will continue to race on Yokohama’s proven ADVAN A005 racing slicks and ADVAN A006 rain tires, ensuring consistency and performance across all classes.
The partnership extends beyond competition as Yokohama becomes the Presenting Partner of Porsche GT Track Day for 2026. The popular program runs in conjunction with Porsche Sprint Challenge race weekends, giving participants the chance to drive their own Porsche road car on the same tracks as the Sprint Challenge racers.
“USAC is a leader in motorsports and the Porsche Sprint Challenge series is an integral piece of our overall racing strategy,” said Andrew Briggs, Yokohama Tire’s senior vice president of marketing & product management.
“Once again, we’re excited and honored to continue our long-term partnership with USAC and showcase the capabilities of our ADVAN racing slicks in some of the most competitive one-make racing in North America.”
The collaboration between USAC and Yokohama has been instrumental in supporting the growth of the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid in North America, offering drivers a professional, competitive environment to develop their skills.
The 2026 Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama season will feature 14 races across seven tracks, beginning at Sebring International Raceway in March.
The Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama championship will open its season in February at Apex Motor Club, with 12 races across six events throughout the year.
Both championships will continue to feature the 911 GT3 Cup (type 992.1) and the 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport in four classes:
Meanwhile, the Porsche Endurance Challenge North America will return with a four-round schedule in 2026, featuring multi-class competition for the same pair of Porsche race cars. Drivers will compete in GT3 Cup Pro-Am, GT3 Cup Am, Cayman Pro-Am, and Cayman Am categories, all on Yokohama’s ADVAN tires.
“Porsche Sprint Challenge North America is a leading one-make racing series in North America,” said Patricia Wall, Yokohama’s motorsports senior manager. “It offers aspiring racers, as well as seasoned professionals, an incredible opportunity for adrenaline-fueled racing and a professional environment.”
“Yokohama Tire has become an integral part of USAC’s success story,” added Kevin Miller, president & CEO of USAC Racing. “Their passion for racing and commitment to technology perfectly align with our mission to deliver competitive, professional, and exciting motorsport experiences. We’re thrilled to continue building on that momentum together as we enter a new season of growth and on-track intensity.”
With Yokohama’s continued support and a refreshed calendar of events, Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama, Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama, and Porsche Endurance Challenge North America are set for another season of competitive racing and continued growth as the foundation of the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid in North America.
Registration for the 2026 Porsche Challenges—including Porsche Sprint Challenge North America, Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West, and Porsche Endurance Challenge North America—is now open. Competitors who register with USAC early can enjoy a range of exclusive benefits, including priority access to upcoming Porsche race cars, free driver suit, hospitality passes, and more.
One of the most anticipated incentives for early registrants is preferred allocation to new Porsche race cars, ensuring competitors who secure their entries early will have priority access to Porsche’s latest race car in 2027.
Register by December 31, 2025 to receive:
Register by February 1, 2026 to receive:
Register by December 1, 2025 to receive:
Register by January 10, 2026 to receive:
As we look ahead to 2026, several schedule changes have been made to streamline travel, reduce costs, and ensure a world-class racing experience for competitors across all series:
Secure your entry today and take advantage of these exclusive benefits–Register NOW!
| Round | event | date |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Sebring International Raceway | March 6 – 8 |
| Round 2 | Barber Motorsports Park | March 27 – 29 |
| Round 3 | Sonoma Raceway | April 10 – 12 |
| Round 4 | Circuit of the Americas | May 7 – 9 |
| Round 5 | Virginia International Raceway | June 19 – 21 |
| Round 6 | Road America | August 14 – 16 |
| Round 7 | Road Atlanta | September 11 – 13 |
| Round | event | date |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Apex Motor Club | February 6 – 8 |
| Round 2 | Sonoma Raceway | April 10 – 12 |
| Round 3 | Circuit of the Americas | May 7 – 9 |
| Round 4 | Sonoma Raceway | May 29 – 31 |
| Round 5 | Road America | August 14 – 16 |
| Round 6 | WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca | September 4 - 6 |
| Round | event | date |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Sebring International Raceway | March 6 – 8 |
| Round 2 | Sonoma Raceway | April 10 – 12 |
| Round 3 | Road America | August 14 – 16 |
| Round 4 | Road Atlanta | September 11 – 13 |
