Winward Racing launches Mercedes-AMG GT4 endurance program

Winward Racing will exhaust itself with 49 hours of endurance racing to close the year before launching a full-time effort next season in IMSA's Continental Tire Series.

The Houston-based entrant, which partnered with CJ Wilson Racing this season in the same championship, has aligned itself with German powerhouse HTP Motorsport to field a GT4-spec Mercedes-AMG starting in November at the 24-hour race at Circuit of The Americas and add December's 25 Hours of Thunderhill to its list to farewell 2017.

Run under the Winward/HTP Motorsport banner, the team will rely on Damien Faulkner, Russell Ward, Maxi Götz, and Indy Dontje at COTA. Although its Thunderhill roster has yet to be solidified, all-time great Bernd Schneider is expected to drive.

"2017 was the first season for Winward Racing in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge and it proved to be a very successful one," said team principal Bryce Ward. "HTP Motorsport is the best in the business in Europe. We will draw on its experience, helping us to us to further develop as a championship contending team. The Winward/HTP agreement will open up opportunities for European drivers in US events and it could also give US drivers the opportunity to compete in Europe."

HTP boss Norbert Bruckner welcomed the chance to expand his company into North America through IMSA's development series for its WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

"This new project in the USA means another big step in the development of our team," he said. "I am excited to have a strong partner like Winward Racing at our side, who have knowledge of the both the country and the racing series. I am sure Winward and HTP will create a formidable partnership and a team that can't be ignored."