70 years Olaf Manthey: Milestones of a motorsport pioneer

Olaf Manthey turns 70: A review of seven central stages of his success story

Olaf Manthey celebrates his 70th birthday on Easter Monday. The entrepreneur and motorsport enthusiast from Bonn decisively shaped the face of motorsport in Germany. With a remarkable career from the driver to one of the most influential entrepreneurs in the automotive industry, Manthey is an outstanding personality in the world of motorsport. Today we look back on seven milestones that shape his remarkable life.

born in 1955, Manthey began his motorship passion early by watching Formula 1 races at the Nürburgring in childhood. At the age of 18 he acquired his racing license and started his career in mountain racing before switching to touring car sport. His debut in the Ford Sport Cup in 1982 was a complete success when he won the championship and successfully defended the title in 1983. These early successes laid the foundation for his later career and sharpened his profile as a talented driver.

A crucial turning point came in 1984 with a factory driver contract with Austin Rover, who helped him secure his career in motorsport after investing his entire savings. The following years brought remarkable success in the German production car championship, where he shone as one of the Top Drivers. In 1990 his Porsche passion came to the fore, which culminated with his winning the first championship title in the Porsche Carrera Cup and linked his name to this renowned brand.

The founding of Manthey Racing in 1996 represented another milestone. What started as a small team quickly developed into a dominant force in racing, especially in the Porsche Supercup series, where Manthey Racing introduced numerous titles. The achievements of the team underlined Mantheys innovation spirit and his ability to develop successful race strategies. Another highlight was the long-awaited victory at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring in 2006, followed by further victories in the next few years, which further strengthen the myth of the yellow-green vehicles.

In 2013, a merger with Raeder motorsport and the participation of Porsche AG in Manthey Racing marked a strategic milestone. Although Manthey retired from active business two years later, he remains connected to the company as a consultant and plays an important role in strategic decisions. The respect and admiration that Olaf Manthey enjoys in the motorsport community not only show up in his own successes, but also in the way he is at the side of the following generations as a mentor.

Overall, Olaf Manthey's career not only reflects individual successes, but also the development of a company that is committed to innovative strength and sporting ambition. His 70th birthday is an opportunity to look back on an extraordinary journey that still leaves traces in motorsport.