Tyler Maxson clicked off another top time during the Porsche Carrera Cup North America weekend at Sebring International Raceway, capturing the first Race Brew Pole Award of the season on Thursday morning.
In the TOPP Racing Porsche 911 Cup (Type 992.2) racecar, Maxson was fastest in the Mobil Pro class with a time of two minutes, 0.313 seconds. A day prior, the Porsche Junior Program North America driver ran fastest between the series’ two practice sessions at the 3.74-mile circuit.
“These TOPP Racing guys worked so hard this offseason to deliver us a really amazing car,” said Maxson.
“We’ve done that here in Sebring, and I think we have a car that’s capable of competing for wins all year, but these guys have put together such an amazing package for this race. I’m really happy to be able to go out and execute.
“The strategy for this race is to try, and pull away. This is a super competitive field at the end of the day. So I’m just trying to be mistake-free, get away as far as we can, and hopefully have a nice clean race.”
Behind Maxson was Aaron Jeansonne (Kellymoss) in second place by .392 seconds and Jared Thomas (JTR Race Engineering) in third place by .433 seconds.
In the Solairus Aviation Pro-Am class, Patrick Mulcahy also continued his Sebring momentum with a pole at 2:02.256. The ACI Motorsport driver’s time was more than a second quicker than the rest of his field, similar to his performance in Thursday’s two practices.
“It feels amazing,” said Mulcahy, who qualified 11th overall.
“It’s an awesome track here, and I’m happy to put it on pole in Pro-Am. I’m just going to focus on the Pro-Am championship.
“My goal is to keep it clean, focus on my race and not worry about the Pros too much. If I end up getting a good run on one of them, I’ll make a pass. But I’m focused on my race.”
Starting second in Pro-Am will be James Sofronas at 2:03.311 and starting third will be Josh Conley with a qualifying time of 2:05.102.
Meanwhile, powering to the Solairus Aviation Masters pole position was Mulcahy’s ACI Motorsports teammate, Marco Cirone. The Canadian was .216 seconds quicker than Richard Edge in second place and .333 seconds quicker than Chris Bellomo in third.
“It has has been a really good morning,” said Cirone. “I just have to thank the team, they did such a wonderful job. The car was fantastic and my coach, Dan Clarke, did a lot for me and really looked after the fine points.
“I’m happy to be able to come through for the team and put it in P1.”
Shortly before qualifying, it was announced that Race Brew 0.0% non-alcoholic beer will return for a second season as the pole award sponsor.
“We’re really excited about our continued partnership with Porsche and the sponsoring of the Porsche Carrera Cup NA Pole Award,” said Myers. “Race Brew – and Momentum Brewery as a whole – has really grown as a brand since last season, with our distribution growing from three states to 13, with more on the way. We’re on the shelves at Trader Joe’s and soon at Whole Foods, along with your favorite beer and wine stores, supermarkets, and online directly to your front door. We really value the alignment with a fellow German brand the caliber of Porsche. Race Brew, also a proud product of Germany, is the first true 0.0% to be imported by Momentum, and it won’t be the last. Stay tuned for a great season and our new Race Brew Pole Award Beer Stein trophies!”
Thursday’s activities continue with Race 1 at 3pm ET, followed by the final race of the weekend on Friday at 5:45pm ET.
All Porsche Carrera Cup North America races stream live – and are available to watch anytime – on the Porsche Motorsport North America & IMSA YouTube channels. 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.
RESULTS.
Qualifying
Mobil Pro Class:
- Tyler Maxson #77
- Aaron Jeansonne #24
- Jared Thomas #96
Solairus Aviation Pro-Am Class:
- Patrick Mulcahy #54
- James Sofronas #14
- Josh Conley #29
Solairus Aviation Masters Class:
- Marco Cirone #88
- Richard Edge #18
- Chris Bellomo #80
Mitchell deJong opened the inaugural Porsche Esports Carrera Cup North America season with victory at Sebring International Raceway, edging Coanda Esports teammate Xander Reed by just 0.006 seconds in a decisive run to the checkered flag.
The race marked the opening round of a six-event championship running from March 18 through April 22, with additional rounds scheduled at the Miami International Autodrome (March 25), Watkins Glen (April 1), Road America (April 8), Indianapolis Motor Speedway (April 15) and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta (April 22).
A 35-car field of North America’s top sim racers competed using the new Porsche 911 Cup (Type 992.2) on iRacing, mirroring the real-world Porsche Carrera Cup North America platform with fixed setups and identical machinery.
Starting second, deJong took the lead at the opening corner and, alongside Reed, established control of the race for Coanda Esports – a leading sim racing organization with close ties to Porsche’s global esports ecosystem and regular involvement at the highest levels of Porsche competition.
“We had a good plan throughout the whole race, just trying to manage things,” deJong said. “Once we qualified one-two, everything was to play fo,r and we knew we could control it from there.”
The Coanda pair ran nose-to-tail for much of the 40-minute race, balancing tire wear and using the draft to maintain track position while keeping the chasing pack at bay.
“The draft is really strong in these cars, and the lead car actually has a bit of a tire disadvantage,” deJong said. “So it’s not always where you want to be. We just tried to keep the pace high and not bring anyone else into the fight.”
A mid-race caution reset the field and eliminated the leaders’ advantage, setting up a sprint to the finish. On the restart, deJong maintained control, with Reed slotting back into second as the pair again edged clear.
“The safety car definitely threw a wrench in it,” deJong said. “That’s the one thing we didn’t really want because it brings everyone back together. After that, it was just about hitting our marks and keeping things clean.”
Reed remained within striking distance in the closing laps and mounted a final-lap challenge at Sunset Bend, diving to the inside in an attempt to take the lead. DeJong held firm on the outside line and carried superior momentum off the corner, reclaiming the advantage in a drag race to the line.
“We knew we wanted to race it out at the end, and it came down to that last corner,” deJong said. “I could trust the guy on my inside, which makes a big difference in that situation.”
“My tires were falling off quite a bit at the end, so I knew it was going to be close. It was stressful, but really fun racing.”
Manuel Troncoso completed the podium after closing on the leaders late, while Parker White advanced seven positions to finish fourth. Andrew Caron rounded out the top five.
Kai Dalziel delivered one of the standout drives of the race, gaining 12 positions to finish sixth, while Sean Campbell recovered from a mid-race incident to finish ninth.
The opening round featured multiple incidents throughout the field and highlighted the challenge of Sebring’s surface, with drivers managing both close-quarters racing and the circuit’s signature bumps.
Of note, Porsche Carrera Cup North America’s defending Rookie Champion and 2026 Kellymoss driver Aaron Jeansonne has qualified for the championship, but his first priority is his “analog” season. De Jong leaves Sebring as the championship leader as the series continues March 25 at Miami.
All Porsche Esports Carrera Cup North America 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.
RESULTS.
Qualifying
- Xander Reed #77
- Mitchell deJong #48
- Andrew Caron #6
Race
- Mitchell deJong #48
- Xander Reed #77
- Manuel Troncoso #62
Tyler Maxson led the debut of the all-new Porsche 911 Cup (Type 992.2) on Wednesday at Sebring International Raceway, setting the fastest time in the afternoon as drivers raved about their first official laps in the new car.
Maxson’s 2:00.775 in the second session edged the morning benchmark of 2:01.076 set by Jared Thomas at the 3.74-mile circuit.
“It’s amazing, this car is so much fun,” said Maxson, a Porsche Junior Program North America driver in his sophomore season of Carrera Cup.
“It’s different, but it’s a lot of fun, and it’s everything I think that this car needed. They made some awesome improvements, and it’s been really good so far. It’s been a lot of learning for us as a team and a lot of redeveloping that we’ve had to do, but it’s been a lot of fun.
“I think the pace is definitely going to ramp up a little bit more,” the TOPP Racing driver continued. “We feel pretty good about it. I think the wind makes a difference, but these cars aren’t too aero-sensitive I don’t think. We feel good about it.”
Thomas’ time wound up third fastest on the day of Mobil Pro class drivers, with Aaron Jeansonne splitting him and Maxson for second quickest at 2:01.023 in Practice 2.
In the Solairus Aviation Pro-Am class, Patrick Mulcahy led the way also in his second season with the series. Mulcahy clocked in at 2:02.715 with ACI Motorsports, and he was the only driver to break the two-minute, three-second mark throughout the day to match the Pro drivers’ time.
“The team has been great, and I’ve got an awesome coach, Ryan Yardley,” said Mulcahy. “The team has given me an amazing car, so it’s my job to put it out there and put down a good lap.
“I’m going to stay focused on the weekend and the Pro-Am championship, but it’s going to be nice to be able to chop it up with some of those guys.”
James Sofronas posted the next best times in Pro-Am at 2:03.716 and 2:04.424 in the morning and afternoon sessions, respectively.
And a familiar name was atop the Solairus Aviation Masters Class – Scott Blind, returning to defend his championship from 2025. The Ruckus Racing driver ran fastest at Sebring in Practice 2 with a time of 2:02.715.
“The new car is great,” said Blind, last year’s Masters Class champion. “There’s a lot more pace in this car. It’s about extracting it and me getting the most out of the car, feeling that down force and being able to use it. I’m getting better and better at that, so I think that’s where it’s coming from.”
Following Blind on Wednesday’s time charts was Rob Walker at 2:02.920 and Chris Bellomo at 2:02.992.
The weekend at Sebring continues on Thursday with qualifying at 9:15 a.m. ET. Race 1 is set for later in the day at 3 p.m., followed by Race 2 on Friday at 5:45 p.m.
All Porsche Carrera Cup North America races stream live – and are available to watch anytime – on the Porsche Motorsport North America & IMSA YouTube channels. 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.
RESULTS.
Practice 1
Mobil Pro Class:
- Jared Thomas #96
- Tyler Maxson #77
- Callum Hedge #9
Solairus Aviation Pro-Am Class:
- Patrick Mulcahy #54
- James Sofronas #14
- Brady Behrman #28
Solairus Aviation Masters Class:
- Rob Walker #53
- Chris Bellomo #68
- Scott Blind #45
Practice 2
Mobil Pro Class:
- Tyler Maxson #77
- Aaron Jeansonne #24
- Jared Thomas #96
Solairus Aviation Pro-Am Class:
- Patrick Mulcahy #54
- James Sofronas #14
- Brady Behrman #28
Solairus Aviation Masters Class:
- Scott Blind #45
- Chris Bellomo #68
- Marco Cirone #88
The sixth season of Porsche Carrera Cup North America opens at Sebring International Raceway, carrying on a tradition that began with the inaugural season in 2021 – supporting the Mobile 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. The 3.74-mile, 17-turn circuit in central Florida will be the site of races one and two of a total 16 in the season for all-new Porsche 911 Cup (Type 992.2). In addition to the car car, teams and drivers will have a new tire for 2026 with the addition of the Pirelli P Zero DHG tire.
The Porsche 911 Cup car delivers circa 520 hp from a normally aspirated 4.0-liter boxer engine shared with the unit used in the Porsche 911 GT3 road car. The car has already proven to be quicker and more practical with refined aerodynamics, cockpit ergonomics and updated electronics. In testing drivers got a feel for the newly added air conditioning system. The type 992.2 car is featured in just four championships this season; that includes Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, Porsche Carrera Cup Germany and Porsche Carrera Cup Asia in addition to Porsche Carrera Cup North America.
Sebring FAST FACTS.
Field.
27 Porsche 911 Cup race cars are entered for Round 1 at Sebring International Raceway
- Mobil Pro Class. 14
- Solairus Aviation Pro-Am Class. 4
- Solairus Aviation Masters Class. 9
- Teams. 10 race teams across all three classes
Track record.
2:01.667, 2023, Riley Dickinson, Kellymoss Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 992.1)
2025 Race winners.
- Mobil Pro Class.
- Races 1 & 2, Riley Dickinson, Kellymoss
- Solairus Aviation Pro-Am Class.
- Races 1 & 2, JP Martinez, ACI Motorsports
- Solairus Aviation Masters Class.
- Races 1 & 2, Scott Blind, Ruckus Racing
2025 Championship Winners.
- Mobil Pro Class.
- Ryan Yardley, TOPP Racing
- Solairus Aviation Pro-Am Class.
- JP Martinez, ACI Motorsports
- Solairus Aviation Masters Class.
- Scott Blind, Ruckus Racing
- Rookie.
- Aaron Jeansonne, Kellymoss
- Team.
- TOPP Racing
Schedule.
All times Eastern
- Wednesday, March 18.
9:40 a.m – 10:10 a.m. | Practice 1
2:10 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. | Practice 2 - Thursday, March 19.
9:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. | Qualifying
3:00 p.m – 3:40 p.m. | Race 1 (40 minutes) - Friday, March 20.
5:45 p.m. – 6:25 p.m. | Race 2 (40 minutes)
Sebring opener.
Sebring International Raceway is a long-standing favorite on the Porsche Carrera Cup North America calendar, opening the season every year since 2021, in support of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. A year ago, Riley Dickinson and Kellymoss swept the weekend overall on his way to finishing runner-up in the season championship.
Testing, testing.
Teams got a first look at the new Porsche 911 Cup car and Pirelli P Zero combination during the official pre-season test, February 16 – 17 at Sebring International Raceway. Five drivers ran a lap under the existing lap record, led by TOPP Racing’s Tyler Maxson in 2:01.250 during the second day’s morning session. Janne Stiak (ACI Motorsports), Aaron Jeansonne (Kellymoss), Callum Hedge (JDX Racing) and Jared Thomas (JTR Motorsports Engineering) were the remaining five, all from different race teams.
International acclaim.
Porsche Carrera Cup North America has, throughout its history, been an opportunity for international drivers to compete. After five seasons, each championship driver has come from a different country – Sebastian Priaulx (Great Britan), Parker Thompson (Canada), Riley Dickinson (United States), Loek Hartog (Netherlands), and Ryan Yardley (New Zealand).
New faces.
Several new faces enter Porsche Carrera Cup North America this year in an effort to advance their racing career. Janne Stiak, the 19-year-old German racer, joins ACI Motorsports for 2026 and his first season in North America. He’s the 2024-25 Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East champion and has already competed in Porsche Carrera Cup Germany, Italia and Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. Nakita Latochkin of Czabok-Simpson Motorsport got as far as Indy Lights before moving to sports car racing. In 2025, he ran selected races with CSM in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge in a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, while also competing in drift events. JDX Racing’s newest driver, Callum Hedge, was a successful open-wheel driver. Hedge competed in Indy NXT the past two seasons, scoring a pair of podium finishes, and was the 2023 Formula Regionals America champion. He has Porsche experience, however, and in 2023 he also won Porsche Carrera Cup Australia.
Mobil 1 Female Driver Program.
This initiative enters its fourth year in 2026 and continues to prove its value. Both Madeline Stewart and Ashely Freiberg competed in Porsche Carrera Cup North America last season while benefiting from the program. This year they progress into Michelin Pilot Challenge and SRO GT4 America respectively, both behind the wheel of Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsports. Freiberg joins fellow Female Driver Program participants Loni Unser, Therese Lahlou, and Erika Hoffmann in the SRO paddock in 2026. Meanwhile Sabré Cook will contest the Mobil Pro class of Porsche Carrera Cup North America with JDX Racing.
Partner up.
Porsche Motorsport North America partners keep the series moving forward. Solairus Aviation returns not only as the title partner of the Solairus Aviation Pro-Am and Solairus Aviation Masters Classes for 2026, but as the series Presenting Partner at Sebring. Mobil returns as the Mobil Pro Class title partner.
Analog and digital.
Porsche Esports Carrera Cup North America mirrors its real-life counterpart, with 40 Type 992.2 Porsche 911 Cup cars competing through iRacing in a one-make championship. The series makes its debut at Sebring International Raceway on the evening of 18 March. Porsche Carrera Cup North America’s defending Rookie Champion and Kellymoss driver Aaron Jeansonne has qualified for the championship, but his first priority is his “analog” season.
Beach Vacation.
The Grand Prix of Long Beach returns to the Porsche Carrera Cup North America calendar for the 2026 season, joining seven other premier events on the schedule. The last Long Beach visit for Porsche Carrera Cup North America came in 2023. In addition to the famed street course in April and this weekend’s race at Sebring, the calendar features classic road courses with IMSA at Watkins Glen, Road America, Indianapolis and Road Atlanta and races in support of Formula One at Miami and Circuit of the Americas.
Class descriptions.
Mobil Pro Class.
The highest level of competition in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America. The class is recognized through its orange color scheme. The car entry number will be delineated in orange on the doors, the windshield and rear glass. Headlight covers will be clear with orange cross-marks, with the addition of orange highlights on the side mirrors and front bumper splitters.
Solairus Aviation Pro-Am Class.
Restricted to drivers who are 35 years old or older as of 1 January, 2026. The class is recognized through its green color scheme. The car entry number will be delineated in green on the doors, the windshield and rear glass. Headlight covers will be clear with green cross-marks, with the addition of green highlights on the side mirrors and front bumper splitters.
Solairus Aviation Masters Class.
This class is open to drivers who are 50 years old or older as of 1 January, 2026. The class is recognized through its yellow color scheme. The car entry number will be delineated in yellow on the doors, the windshield and rear glass. Headlight covers will be clear with yellow cross-marks, with the addition of yellow highlights on the side mirrors and front bumper splitters.
Entry list.
The full Porsche Carrera Cup North America entry list can be found by clicking here.
Points and results.
Event results and current points for Porsche Carrera Cup North America can be found by clicking here.
Broadcast.
All Porsche Carrera Cup North America races stream live – and are available to watch anytime – on the Porsche Motorsport North America & IMSA YouTube channels. 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.
Porsche Carrera Cup North America will enter a new chapter in 2026 with Pirelli confirmed as the championship’s official tire supplier under a multi-year agreement.
The partnership marks the first time in the six-year history of the series that it will compete on Pirelli rubber, aligning a new technical era for the championship with one of the most recognizable names in global motorsport.
The debut of Pirelli in the series coincides with the arrival of the new Porsche 911 Cup car (Type 992.2). Both the car and tire will make their first appearance together at the series-wide test at Sebring International Raceway in mid-February, offering teams their first opportunity to evaluate the package ahead of the season opener at the same circuit in March.
P Zero technology meets the new 911 Cup.
Porsche Carrera Cup North America will utilize the Pirelli P Zero DHG tire, which debuted across all Pirelli-served GT championships worldwide in 2025. The Pirelli P Zero tire on each Porsche 911 Cup car underscores the technological link between track performance and road-going excellence.
The collaboration also follows the recent introduction of bespoke Pirelli P Zero R and Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS fitments for the road-going Porsche 911 GT3, further demonstrating how race-inspired development translates directly to road car capability.
Should wet weather conditions arise during the season, the field will rely on the Pirelli Cinturato WHB, the standard wet-weather tire used across GT classes since 2025.
The new Pirelli P Zero tire features the Forest Stewardship Council™ logo, signifying that all FSC™ certified natural rubber used in the tire originates from responsibly managed cultivation areas that preserve biodiversity and support local communities. The FSC™ certification process ensures certified materials remain fully traceable and separate from non-certified material throughout the supply chain.
“Porsche and Pirelli share a deep motorsport heritage and a commitment to innovation that carries from the track to the road,” Volker Holzmeyer, PMNA President and CEO, said. “We’re excited to welcome Pirelli to our premier Porsche One-Make series as we usher in a new era with the 911 Cup and new Pirelli tires beginning in 2026.”
A collaborative livery inspired by heritage.
The partnership is further expressed through a dedicated promotional livery unveiled alongside the announcement. Rooted in the 911 Cup #Raceborn launch design that anchors the 2026 Carrera Cup North America visual identity, the concept has been reinterpreted in black and yellow, the unmistakable colors synonymous with Pirelli’s racing heritage.
While remaining true to the established #Raceborn design language, the updated look naturally aligns with the partnership. Its graphic pattern resembles a stylized tire tread motif, subtly connecting the car’s visual identity with Pirelli’s core product and reinforcing the shared narrative of performance, innovation, and evolution.
That thread-inspired element also serves as visual storytelling, reflecting Pirelli’s heritage and the concept of “memory that becomes future” – the idea that decades of racing knowledge are carried forward into the next generation of innovation.
The result is a cohesive statement that connects both brands visually and philosophically, mirroring the shared values of precision, performance, and technical excellence that define Porsche and Pirelli.
Pirelli strengthens its North American presence.
With motorsport continuing to gain momentum across North America, Pirelli’s new role in Porsche Carrera Cup North America further expands its footprint in one of the world’s most competitive racing markets.
As the championship enters a new era with the Porsche 911 Cup car (Type 992.2), the partnership reinforces Pirelli’s long-standing commitment to top-level GT competition while aligning with a series that serves as a key platform for emerging professional talent.
In 2026, the 911 Cup car will compete in just four single-make championships worldwide: Porsche Carrera Cup North America, Porsche Carrera Cup Germany, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, and the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.
“Pirelli is thrilled to partner with Porsche Motorsport North America as the tire supplier for the Porsche Carrera Cup North America, adding to our extensive portfolio of top-level championships supported worldwide,” Claudio Zanardo, President and CEO of Pirelli North America, said. “This collaboration demonstrates Pirelli’s dedication to performance and innovation, bringing race-proven technology from the track to the road. Just as Porsche vehicles set the standard for driving excellence, our P Zero tires define precision, handling, and performance in both competition and everyday driving.
With motorsport rapidly expanding across North America, attracting more fans and creating new opportunities to showcase high-performance engineering, we are excited to strengthen our presence and support this momentum. Taking on this challenge alongside Porsche, its teams, drivers, and the iconic 911 Cup cars is an opportunity for continuous innovation, collaboration, and growth throughout the season.”
Sebring up next.
The 2026 Porsche Carrera Cup North America season officially begins at the series-wide test at Sebring International Raceway in mid-February, followed by Round 1 at the same circuit alongside the IMSA WeatherTech Championship’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, March 18 to 20.
All Porsche Carrera Cup North America races stream live – and are available to watch anytime – on the Porsche Motorsport North America & IMSA YouTube channels. 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.
The newest generation of Porsche 911 Cup (Type 992.2) race cars has officially arrived on American soil and are set to hit the track for the first time next week at the pre-season test for the sixth season of Porsche Carrera Cup North America.
The new Porsche One-Make machines were delivered by DSV from Germany to the United States in time for their Sebring debut on February 16 and 17.
All of the brand new Porsche 911 Cup cars made the 4,482-mile journey across the Atlantic, marking a significant logistical milestone ahead of the championship’s sixth season.
Porsche Carrera Cup North America is one of only four series worldwide to campaign the new 992.2 generation in 2026, alongside Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, Carrera Cup Germany, and Carrera Cup Asia.
The safe and timely arrival of the cars ensures customer teams can prepare properly for a season that will once again showcase identical, factory-built GT race cars competing at the pinnacle of one-make competition on the continent.
A 60-ton transatlantic operation.
Behind the scenes, the delivery was a complex, precision-driven operation. The shipment included all of the high-performance race cars weighing more than 60 tons in total, transported inside 21 shipping containers.
The multimodal route combined enclosed car carriers for European road transport with dedicated vessel space for the ocean crossing before final distribution to teams in the United States.
DSV’s Vehicle Competency Centers in Stuttgart and Atlanta coordinated the move, bridging time zones and overseeing each phase of the journey. By selecting sea freight over air transport, the operation reduced carbon emissions by 97 percent, producing approximately 8 tons of CO2 compared to an estimated 280 tons via traditional air methods.
The approach underlined how sustainability and time-critical motorsport logistics can operate hand in hand when carefully planned.
New partnership powers the paddock.
The successful delivery of the new 911 Cup cars also marks the beginning of an expanded partnership between Porsche Motorsport North America and DSV, which has been named the Official Logistics Partner of PMNA for the 2026 season.
“We can’t thank DSV enough for their work to safely deliver our new Porsche 911 Cup race cars in the new year,” Volker Holzmeyer, President and CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America, said. “Aligning PMNA with DSV provides an opportunity, not only for us, but for our customers who race around the world.”
DSV branding will appear on all Porsche Carrera Cup North America race cars throughout the year, reinforcing its presence in the premier North American Porsche one-make series.
With nearly 150,000 employees across 90 countries, DSV brings extensive global freight forwarding expertise to the partnership. The collaboration builds on work that began in 2023 and now formalizes DSV’s role in supporting PMNA’s transport and logistics needs.
“Timing and planning are just as important in motorsports as they are in logistics,” Sven Diefenbacher, Vice President of Automotive Americas from DSV, said. “We’re proud to combine our global efforts with Porsche Motorsport North America to work together on all of their logistical and transport needs and be a part of the upcoming Porsche Carrera Cup North America season.”
For a championship that relies on precision timing, international coordination, and the flawless movement of high-value race equipment, the alignment reflects the growing importance of specialist logistics providers in modern motorsport.
Sebring next week.
The newly arrived Porsche 911 Cup cars will take to the track for the first time in North America at the official Porsche Carrera Cup North America series-wide test at Sebring International Raceway on February 16 and 17. The test sets the stage for the season-opening rounds at the Florida circuit on March 18 to 20, where the 992.2 era will officially begin.
Built through years of Porsche One-Make racing across two continents, Madeline Stewart’s journey reaches its next milestone in 2026 as she graduates from Porsche Carrera Cup North America to IMSA’s Michelin Pilot Challenge.
After two seasons in Porsche Carrera Cup North America, the New Zealand racer will graduate into multi-class endurance competition with the Indianapolis-based Czabok-Simpson Motorsport (CSM).
Stewart got her first taste of IMSA competition at the Roar Before the Rolex 24, using the event to learn a new car, team, and the intensity of multi-class racing at Daytona. Sharing driving duties with experienced teammates Gordon Scully and Morgan Burkart, she leaned on their knowledge of the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport while building confidence and preparation for her move to Michelin Pilot Challenge.
“I’m really excited to be racing Michelin Pilot Challenge this year with CSM,” Stewart said.
“We’ve been working on this deal for the past few months, and it’s now a three-year deal. So I feel really excited about being in a team that has big goals, and we have a long-term plan together.”
That sense of progression has defined Stewart’s career. Her Porsche journey began in Australia before she crossed the Pacific and immediately made an impression in North America.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to be with Porsche for quite a few years now,” she explained.
“I started in Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia. From there, I moved across to the US into Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama – arriving in Sebring not knowing a whole lot about the tracks or anything about racing in the US, but I put it on pole at the first race weekend, and we had a really strong campaign for the 2023 season.”
That debut year with JDX Racing ended with third in the championship, followed by two seasons in Carrera Cup – a series Stewart credits as being pivotal to her readiness for the next level.
“Carrera Cup North America is easily known as one of the most competitive Carrera Cup championships around the world,” she said.
“Racing in a one-make series really leaves no room to hide. You really have to work on your driving, and every single one percent counts because you’re in the same car as everybody else with the same opportunity.
“I think racing Carrera Cup has really put me in a position where I can progress into this opportunity. I feel really grateful to have gotten to race in that championship and learn all the ins and outs of US motorsport. I’ve got to go to all the tracks, and I feel really prepared to take this next step now.”
That preparation has already been put to use as Stewart begins life in the Michelin Pilot Challenge paddock, where the scale and depth of competition is immediately apparent.
“Michelin Pilot Challenge is full of really, really fantastic drivers. It’s a strong field with a lot of cars,” she said. There’s been a lot to take in and a lot to learn.
“A new track, a new team, a new car – there’s lots going on. But we had a really successful test, so I think the race is going to be fantastic.”
Sharing driving duties with experienced teammates Scully and Burkart, Stewart believes this will give her a key advantage as she adapts to longer races, traffic management, and strategy.
“I’m racing with Gordon Scully and Morgan Burkart, and they’ve done this race previously,” she said.
“I worked with them a lot at the Roar test to get lots of experience and information moving into the race. That’s been really important for me.”
Underlying Stewart’s progression has been the backing of Porsche Motorsport North America and the Porsche Mobil 1 Female Driver Program, support she is quick to acknowledge as career-defining.
“Having the support from Porsche Motorsport North America, along with Mobil 1 and being a part of the Mobil 1 Female Driver Program, has really been crucial to my performance and my opportunities here in North America,” Stewart said.
“Without their support, I wouldn’t have been on the grid in Carrera Cup, so I’m really grateful to be a part of the program.
“I’ve also had the opportunity through that program to learn so much about being a good racing driver – being well-rounded inside the race car and outside of it. That’s been crucial to my development and really put me in this position.”
Ryan Yardley and Tom Sargent have been named Porsche Motorsport North America Selected Drivers for 2026, earning factory support as they continue to climb through the North American Porsche Motorsport Pyramid. For both, the recognition is less about a single season and more about the trajectory of their careers – careers shaped through Porsche One-Make racing.
The Porsche Motorsport North America Selected Driver program is designed with a clear purpose: to identify, develop, and ultimately produce the next Porsche Factory Driver from within the North American ladder. Yardley and Sargent represent the latest step in that long-term vision.
“We’ve watched both of these talented drivers improve their craft through Porsche single-make racing here in North America and each has earned this honor,” said Volker Holzmeyer, President and CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America. “We’re proud of Ryan and Tom and look forward to watching their careers develop in the United States and around the world as PMNA Selected Drivers.”
For Yardley, the selection follows a breakout 2025 season that culminated in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America championship. The New Zealander delivered three wins and 14 podium finishes across 16 races, building a consistent campaign that showcased both pace and race craft. His title-winning year marked the final rung of the Carrera Cup ladder, and 2026 represents the next phase.
That next chapter begins at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, where Yardley will make his GTD debut in a Porsche 911 GT3 R with Mühlner Motorsport. Additional plans are expected to include GT World Challenge America and GT4 America competition, expanding his experience across sprint and endurance formats.
“It’s super special to continue my relationship with Porsche and officially join the Porsche family here in North America,” Yardley said. “I feel privileged and honored. Last year was an amazing year for me inside the race car and now to start this year at Daytona is very special. To be named as a Porsche Motorsport North America Selected Driver just before the race is special. I’m super excited for the season ahead and thankful to everyone involved, not only in making this decision but my career in North America to make this all happen.”
Sargent’s journey through the Pyramid began earlier, arriving in the United States in 2023 and immediately making an impact. He finished second in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America championship as a rookie, earned race wins in SRO GT World Challenge competition, and transitioned into top-level endurance racing with Wright Motorsports in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
After serving as a Porsche Motorsport North America Selected Driver in 2025, Sargent returns to the program for a second year, continuing his development with Wright Motorsports in IMSA Endurance Cup events while contesting additional SRO championships in Porsche machinery.
“It’s very exciting,” Sargent said. “Last year was a big step, being affiliated officially with the brand, and to be able to continue that again this year is very special. It’s a step in the right direction for where I want to be. I’ve been with Porsche since 2022 and to be recognized is very, very cool. I’ve got a lot of opportunities this year to drive a lot of Porsche cars, so it’s helpful to be a part of this. The mentoring that comes with it is very important, and the relationships as well.”
Beyond financial backing, the Porsche Selected Driver Program North America provides structured mentorship from former Porsche Factory driver Patrick Long, manufacturer insight, and expanded racing opportunities – elements designed to prepare drivers for sustained success at the professional level.
Sargent’s rise through the Porsche ranks included competition in both Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia and Porsche Carrera Cup North America, building a foundation across multiple levels of Porsche One-Make racing before stepping into top-tier GT and endurance programs. Yardley’s path was markedly different – after transitioning from open-wheel competition, he made his sports car debut in Porsche Carrera Cup North America in 2023, adapting quickly and accelerating his development within the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid.
That global approach is evident this weekend at Daytona, where nearly 90 drivers on the Rolex 24 entry list have competed in Porsche One-Make racing somewhere in the world. From national Carrera Cup championships to regional Sprint Challenge series, the Porsche system continues to feed the sport’s biggest stages.
For Yardley and Sargent, 2026 is another step forward, but not the final destination. As Porsche Motorsport North America continues its search for the next factory driver to emerge from the North American ranks, both drivers now carry the backing – and expectations – that come with wearing Porsche support at the highest level.
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