Story Highlight
– Olaf Manthey will turn 70 years old on April 21, 2025.
– He began as a racing driver in hill climb racing and formula cars.
– Founded “Manthey Racing” in 1996.
– Dominant victories at the 24h race at Nürburgring from 2006 to 2021.
– Remains active in strategic decisions and supports Manthey Racing.
Full Story
Olaf Manthey, a prominent figure in German motorsport, will celebrate his 70th birthday on April 21, 2025. Hailing from Bonn, he has left a lasting impact on the racing scene, initially as a successful driver and later as a team principal and entrepreneur.
Born in 1955, Manthey’s journey began with a background in mechanical engineering, following his education at a school in Remagen where he also worked as an excavator driver. His passion for motorsport was ignited during a visit to a Formula 1 race at Nürburgring with his father. Aspiring to become a racing driver, Manthey embarked on this path with determination, gaining his racing license at 18 and initially competing in hill climbs before transitioning to formula racing for a year.
Ultimately, Manthey found his niche in touring car racing. In 1982, he made his debut in the Ford Sport Cup, where he impressively won the championship at his first attempt with a Ford Escort RS 2000, a vehicle equipped with a two-liter engine delivering 186 bhp and featuring a four-speed gearbox. The following year, he successfully defended his title.
On the personal front, 1982 was also significant as Manthey married his wife, Renate, who has been a pillar of support throughout his career, standing by him as both a partner and a mother to their two children.
Manthey’s career continued to flourish when he entered the German Production Car Championship (DPM), a precursor to today’s DTM, in 1984. A factory contract with Austin Rover ensured he could continue racing after he had invested all his savings into his career. Over two years in this series, he secured second place in the championship on both occasions.
His first encounter with Porsche occurred in 1990 when the Porsche Carrera Cup was launched. Attracted by the enticing prize money, Manthey entered the series, overcoming initial struggles with the rear-driven Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Cup (Type 964) to become its first champion.
Transitioning from driver to technician and eventually team principal, Manthey’s technical knowledge, gained from his engineering background, proved invaluable. He became the technical director at Persson Motorsport in the DTM in 1994. When the team withdrew from the series, Manthey seized the opportunity to establish his own racing team.
In 1996, he founded Manthey Racing, which has since become a renowned name in international motorsport. From 1997 to 2000, Manthey and Dutch driver Patrick Huisman claimed four consecutive titles in both the driver and team standings of the Porsche Supercup, a record that remains unbeaten and laid the groundwork for the team’s ascent from its humble beginnings of just three staff members.
Despite taking on the role of team principal, Manthey continued to race, particularly focusing on endurance events at Nürburgring. From 1992 to 1995, he achieved 22 overall victories in the VLN driving a Mercedes 190 Evo II.
Manthey’s retirement from professional racing followed his emotional 30th victory in 2005, where he shared a dominant win with driver Timo Bernhard at his farewell race, securing his place as the series’ most accomplished driver.
Although active in historic motorsport today, 2005 marked the culmination of his racing career as he shifted his focus to being a team principal, leading to a victory at the 24-hour race at Nürburgring in 2006—something he hadn’t achieved as a driver. The car, a distinctive yellow-green Porsche 911 GT3-MR, was designed partly to enhance visibility in a crowded field, a concept initially opposed but ultimately embraced by his team. This vehicle paved the way for ongoing success, as Manthey Racing went on to win the 24-hour race again in 2007, 2008, and 2009, contributing to a total of seven victories, the latest being in 2021.
A significant transformation occurred in 2013 with the merger of Manthey Racing and Raeder Motorsport, alongside a 51% acquisition by Porsche AG, which promised an exciting future for the team. Following this, Martin and Nicolas Raeder took over the management of the company. In 2015, Manthey retired from day-to-day operations but continues his close association with the team.
Nicolas Raeder commented on Manthey’s legacy, stating, “With his clear vision and passion, he founded Manthey and laid the groundwork for our current success.” He highlighted the continued emphasis on the values and mindset that Manthey established from the outset.
In 2023, Manthey’s expertise contributed to his team’s success in both the DTM team and driver standings. Martin Raeder praised Manthey’s influence, stating, “His innovative spirit and experience have set benchmarks in motorsport.” Manthey’s openness to new and unconventional ideas has been a key driver of both his success and that of his team.
Olaf Manthey remains a revered figure in motorsport, his enthusiasm undiminished even as he approaches his 70th year.
