In the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the spotlight is naturally on the hybrid prototype machines in the GTP (Grand Touring Prototype) and LMP2 (Le Mans Prototype 2) classes. These prototypes are simply brutal. But the GTD Pro and GTD classes, both rooted in GT3 customer racing, are every bit as intense and spectacular.

Technically, the IMSA classes differ significantly at first glance—and even more so at second. It comes down to drivetrain layouts, aerodynamics, and ultimately how closely a race car still relates to its production counterpart.

Prototypes and GT3 in the same race

At the top of the field sits the GTP class. These are the most complex prototype race cars currently competing in endurance racing. Manufacturers combine their own combustion engines, from V6 biturbos to large‑capacity V8s, with a standardized hybrid system. The result: roughly 700 hp of system output, precisely balanced through the series’ Balance of Performance process. Pure high‑tech, where efficiency and performance work seamlessly together.

Positioned below GTP is the far more purist LMP2 category. It doesn’t get much more standardized. All teams run the same Gibson V8 naturally aspirated engine, have no hybrid systems, and operate in the 500 to 550 hp range. What makes these cars special is the traditional prototype DNA without electronic driver aids such as ABS uses.

The GTD Pro and GTD classes are an entirely different story. These are no prototypes but customer racing cars built to GT3 regulations, visually and technically close to their production origins. Each GT3 manufacturer retains its own engine concept, and the Balance of Performance ensures that success on track comes from execution, not layout, front‑engine or mid‑engine, the goal remains close, hard‑fought racing.

In both GTD Pro and GTD, our KW customer racing teams compete with our KW Racing dampers featuring solid‑piston technology (KW Solid Piston Technology). We supply GT3 race cars worldwide from Aston Martin, BMW, Lamborghini, and Porsche including the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo, BMW M4 GT3 Evo, Lamborghini Temerario GT3, and Porsche 911 GT3 R.

Our Sebring teaser blog post already outlined why our KW Racing dampers perform so well and why they excel on the notoriously bumpy surface of Sebring International Raceway. Click on the track image above or here to access the blog post.

Porsche one‑two finish in the GTD Pro Class

While Porsche secured a one‑two overall finish for Zuffenhausen and claimed its 20th Sebring victory, Porsche teams Manthey and AO Racing also delivered a one‑two result in the GTD Pro class. Like the GT3 cars from Aston Martin and BMW, all Porsche GT3 entries run our KW V6 Racing dampers.

For the first time at Sebring, Manthey competed with “Grello,” the yellow‑green Porsche 911 GT3 R (#911), marking their inaugural full IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season in 2026.

Thomas Preining, Klaus Bachler, and Ricardo Feller shared driving duties in the Grello and brought the #911 to first place in the GTD Pro class.

Second place in GTD Pro went to “Roxy” from AO Racing. The Porsche 911 GT3 R (#77), with its dark‑pink dinosaur‑inspired livery, remains a fan favorite across North American circuits. Nick Tandy, Harry King, and Alessio Picariello shared the cockpit.

Another top‑ten result in GTD Pro was the fifth‑place finish of the BMW M4 GT3 Evo (#1) from Paul Miller Racing.

A premiere at Sebring was the first race outing of the Lamborghini Temerario GT3 (#9). The new customer racing car from Lamborghini is fielded in North America by Pfaff Motorsports. Incidentally, this race car is the GT3 machine equipped with the six-way adjustable KW V7 Racing suspension. In the end, Andrea Caldarelli, Sandy Mitchell, and Franck Perera drove the Temerario to tenth place in class.

In the GTD class, Aston Martin celebrated a second place with the Vantage GT3 Evo (#27) from the Heart of Racing team. Tom Gamble, Dudu Barrichello, and Zacharie Robichon collected valuable championship points with their second-place finish.

Also taking a spot on the GTD podium was the Porsche 911 GT3 R (#120) from Wright Motorsports.

Press Images by Teams