For the first time, Manthey, together with the Griesemann Gruppe, will be fielding a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport M in the class for alternative fuels (AT class) in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. The driver line-up includes brothers Björn and Georg Griesemann (both Germany), Dirk Adorf (Germany), and Yves Volte (Germany). The Manthey-developed vehicle, designated with the ‘M’ suffix, stands out for its use of recycled carbon fibre. For this purpose, prototype parts from a pre-development project in collaboration with Porsche Motorsport made from recycled carbon fibre are being tested. Prior to the endurance classic at the Nürburgring, the car will make its debut at the second round of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) on April 26. Further appearances are planned at NLS3 and the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers.

Well-practiced driver team with Nürburgring experience

With Björn Griesemann, Georg Griesemann, Dirk Adorf and Yves Volte, the Cayman will be driven by a well-rehearsed crew of drivers: Adorf and the Griesemann brothers have been competing together in the endurance classic in the Eifel for two years now, with Volte joining them in 2024. At the wheel of a Toyota Supra GT4 (#227), they finished third in the class for alternative fuel (AT) in both 2023 and 2024. In addition to driving the Toyota, Björn and Georg Griesemann are also active in historic motorsport, where they achieved several successes in a Porsche 911 RSR (built in 1974), also powered by eFuel, including overall victories in the ADAC 24h Classic and the 1000km on the Nürburgring in 2023. Adorf also has a lot of experience on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife and secured three championship titles in the VLN Endurance Championship, now NLS. Yves Volte, the youngest driver in the quartet, has gained recent experience in GTC Race and the Porsche Endurance Trophy Nürburgring.

Manthey in-house development with recycled carbon fibre

For the first time, a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport M developed by Manthey is being entered. Based on the Clubsport racing car, which among others is fielded in GT4 racing series worldwide, the vehicle marked with the suffix ‘M’ impresses with its extensive lightweight construction and optimised aerodynamics. Manthey relies on components made from recycled carbon fibre, which come from a preliminary development project with Porsche Motorsport and are being tested in this context. These include fenders with lightweight headlights, a bonnet with central radiator outlet, front bumper, front lip and doors as well as rear bumper, a rear lid with lightweight window and the rear wing. A diffusor, also made from recycled carbon fibre, and flics at the front provide additional downforce. Optimised brake cooling is made possible by brake air ducts based on the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport EVO. In addition to the extensive lightweight components, a lightweight wheel set contributes to further weight savings. The car is developed in accordance with ADAC SP-Pro regulations, making it suitable for use on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife.

Competing in the AT class with eFuel

The car will contest the upcoming races on the Nürburgring Nordschleife with synthetic fuel made from methanol. This is being produced as part of the DeCarTrans project, a research project at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg funded by the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport. The fuel produced falls into the class of e-fuels and can be used in existing combustion engines without any technical modifications (drop-in). Since using this sustainable and certified synthetic fuel, Manthey will compete with the vehicle in the designated class for alternative fuels (AT class).

The Cayman will make its debut race on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife at the ADAC Ruhrpott-Trophy (NLS2) on 26 April. Björn and Georg Griesemann will pilot the vehicle in the four-hour race. Also on the schedule are the 56th Adenauer ADAC Rundstrecken-Trophy (NLS3) and the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers before the start of the 24-hour race from 19 to 22 June.

Comments on the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport M entry:

Nicolas Raeder, Managing Director, Manthey Racing GmbH: „I’m happy and also proud that we’re entering the race with a vehicle that is partly made of recycled carbon fibre and runs on synthetic fuel. We’ve been looking at the topic of sustainability and, in this context, also renewable fuels for some time and are glad to have found a strong partner for this project with the Griesemann Gruppe. What’s also special about this project is that it has been developed and is being realised across our divisions, from the development of the vehicle through to its racing entry. This is exactly the kind of collaboration that defines us as a company."

Patrick Arkenau, Head of Racing Division, Manthey Racing GmbH: „We’re thrilled to double our presence this year at both the 24-hour race and selected NLS rounds by fielding a second car alongside the Grello. This not only expands our racing activities but also allows us to promote the topics of sustainability and new technologies with alternative fuels and recycled carbon fibre. We also want to show that motorsport remains a key driver of innovation, and this project is a perfect example. Of course, we also have our eyes on sporting success: our goal is to win the AT-class. We’re looking forward to the challenge and the entire project!"

Jan-Helmut Brackhage, Head of Motorsport Parts & Services Division, Manthey Racing GmbH: „The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport M is a great example of the commitment we invest in developing new vehicles and concepts. I am delighted to see that, after numerous tests and simulations, we now have a finished vehicle in front of us and I am looking forward to the upcoming races. Fielding a new car always presents challenges, especially when you're racing it in endurance events, but I'm confident that we've put together a great package. I hope that we can reward everyone involved with strong results and show them that their hard work has paid off.”

Björn Griesemann, Griesemann Gruppe: „Motorsport and sustainability are not mutually exclusive – and together with Manthey, we’re taking the next step this year. Our experience with eFuels, combined with the motorsport expertise of the entire Manthey team, proves that performance without compromise is possible – with the same racing atmosphere. The trust of our partners means a lot to me, and I’m thrilled with our new vehicle. Driving a Manthey Porsche on the Nürburgring is the realization of a childhood dream."

Georg Griesemann, Griesemann Gruppe: „The data from the last two years is clear: eFuels present no disadvantages. With Manthey, we’ve found a partner who shares that belief. Together, we want to demonstrate at the 24-hour race that a vehicle powered by climate-friendly fuels is perfectly competitive. We were particularly impressed by the fact that Manthey is consistently thinking ahead in terms of sustainability in motorsport and is prepared to break new ground — as demonstrated by the use of recycled carbon in our vehicle. The potential for further CO2 reduction is definitely there. I look forward to proving how performance and sustainability can go hand-in-hand at the 24h race."