Story Highlight
– Olaf Manthey will turn 70 years old on April 21.
– Successful race car driver, team principal, and entrepreneur in motorsports.
– Founded the racing team “Manthey Racing” in 1996.
– Six wins at the 24-hour Nürburgring race, most recently in 2021.
– Active in motorsports, providing strategic support since 2015.
Full Story
Olaf Manthey, a renowned figure in German motorsport, is set to celebrate his 70th birthday on April 21, 2025. Hailing from Bonn, he has significantly influenced the racing world, initially as a successful driver and later as a team principal and entrepreneur.
Born in 1955, Manthey pursued a career in mechanical engineering after finishing school in Remagen, while also working as an excavator operator. His passion for motorsport ignited at a young age during a visit to the Nürburgring for a Formula 1 race with his father. Aspiring to become a racing driver, Manthey carved his path through talent, dedication, and modest means, starting his racing career at the age of 18 in hill climb events before progressing to Formula cars.
His breakthrough came in the touring car category when he made his debut in the Ford Sport Cup in 1982, winning the championship immediately with a Ford Escort RS 2000, a car boasting 186 horsepower. This early success was supplemented by personal milestones, including his marriage to Renate in 1982, who has been a steadfast supporter throughout his career.
In 1984, Manthey entered the German Production Car Championship, a precursor to the current DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters). A manufacturer contract with Austin Rover safeguarded his career, which he had invested heavily in. Over two seasons in the series, he secured second place in the championships both years.
Manthey’s association with Porsche began in 1990 with the establishment of the Porsche Carrera Cup, where he faced initial challenges with the rear-driven Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Cup (Type 964) but ultimately emerged as the first champion of the series. His technical training as a mechanical engineer proved invaluable, leading him to a role as technical director at Persson Motorsport in the DTM by 1994. Following the team’s withdrawal from the series, he launched his own racing team, Manthey Racing, in 1996. His team quickly became synonymous with success in international motorsport, winning multiple titles in the Porsche Supercup alongside driver Patrick Huisman.
Even as team principal, Manthey continued to compete, focusing on endurance events at the Nürburgring and achieving significant victories, including 22 overall wins in the VLN series between 1992 and 1995. His last professional race in 2005 culminated in an emotional victory at his farewell event, solidifying his legacy as one of the most successful drivers in the series.
Post-retirement, Manthey shifted his focus to his managerial role, leading to a monumental victory at the 24-hour Nürburgring race in 2006, a feat he had not achieved as a driver. The winning car, a striking yellow-green Porsche 911 GT3-MR, was initially intended to be bright yellow for visibility but transformed through discussions and compromise within the team—a decision that led to the creation of the now-iconic “Grello” design.
Manthey Racing continued to thrive, securing further 24-hour race wins in 2007, 2008, and 2009, and additional victories followed, the latest being in 2021.
In 2013, Manthey Racing underwent a transformative merger with Raeder Motorsport, with Porsche AG acquiring a 51% stake, positioning the company for promising growth. Brothers Martin and Nicolas Raeder took over the management, while Manthey stepped back from daily operations in 2015, though he remains closely associated with the firm.
Nicolas Raeder remarked on Manthey’s visionary leadership and lasting impact on the business, noting the continuity of the values he instilled. The company’s recent success in 2023, including victories in the DTM team and driver standings, also reflected Manthey’s ongoing influence.
Martin Raeder highlighted Manthey’s capacity for innovation and his extensive connections within the motorsport community, recognizing how his open-minded approach to unconventional ideas has contributed to both his success and that of Manthey Racing. As he approaches his milestone birthday, Manthey’s passion for motorsport remains as strong as ever.
