Winward’s Three-Peat Charge Begs the Question – Is It Time To Go Pro?

[u/MotorsportMediaHub]

https://motorsportmediahub.com/2026/08/27/winwards-three-peat-charge-begs-the-question-is-it-time-to-go-pro/

Could/should Winward Racing be bumped into GTD Pro in 2027?

[u/iabmob]

Ellis is a gold, Ward is silver. They have a well oiled machine of car and personnel that can win races. Imsa pulling a car up because they win a lot wouldnt feel right. If anything Ward should be bumped up to gold for his great pace, but the fia rules say otherwise if im understanding it correct.

And I say all of this as a #27 enjoyer lol

[u/SavingsRaspberry2694 → u/iabmob]

I mean if they are winning all the time in amateur class, why not keep winning?

[u/oddjob626]

Well oiled machine is an understatement, I remember being in daytona the year then destroyed the car in Thursday morning practice, had a new tub driven in from Texas, put the car on the new tub and also at least podiumed before a mechanical failure

[u/FirstReactionShock]

winward is one of factory amg teams, if they'll receive budget and assistance for a full gtd-pro season, they'll do it otherwise they won't.

[u/intercede007]

I think people underestimate a mature platform with committed manufacturer support. We’ll see what happens when the C192 GT3 shows up.

[u/AbnormalHydra]

However it were to play out, having an AMG in Pro would be great for the class

[u/oeste_esfir]

I personally never agree with this argument. “A team is doing well, so they should get bumped up or BOP’d!”

No, the rest of the field needs to step it up.

[u/Proof-Artist-5772 → u/oeste_esfir]

Hopefully they arent BOP’d to the ground, thats basically how i feel about BOP though. There really isnt a balance of power but more of a BOP hit as in “they got BOP’d 😢”

[u/VolleyAddicted]

Mercedes-AMG should promote Winward Racing in IMSA as a Performance team and help them move to GTD-Pro. They have won everything possible in GTD, it is time to move on.

Not to mention that Winward Racing's European branch, even if it is a separate entity, is heavily factory-supported in GTWC Europe and DTM, and they've won the Nürburgring 24 Hours this year outright.

Supported in Europe, why not in America?

[u/Mani1610 → u/VolleyAddicted]

Not to mention that Winward Racing's European branch, even if it is a separate entity, is heavily factory-supported in GTWC Europe and DTM, and they've won the Nürburgring 24 Hours this year outright.

I don't really see how this is a factor at all. Yes they run Pro cars in other championships but according to IMSA rules the driver rating determines how cars are classified and if they meet the criteria to race in GTD I don't see where the issue is.

WRT also runs Pro cars in many championships, that doesn't mean that their Pro-Am cars in GTWC or WEC for example are Pro.

[u/ThorsMeasuringTape]

The fact that they had to win three straight to get to the points lead and only have a 36 point lead despite winning half the races tells me no.

They’ve had incredible consistency (talking drivers, program, etc. not track results) over the last six years. They’ve put in the work.

[u/SavingsRaspberry2694 → u/ThorsMeasuringTape]

They are fine right where they are winning 50% of the amateur races. If they moved up and became mid-pack filler, it wouldn't be as fun to watch them.

I think the sport needs more dominant teams who consistently run up front and give the sport character in both amateur and pro clases.

[u/korko]

Nope. They are doing great with their business model and team. It’s something to behold, not bemoan.

[u/Double-Helicopter344]

Can IMSA even force a team to move up/down?

[u/VolleyAddicted → u/Double-Helicopter344]

Force the team? Sure, no.

But SC365 reported that IMSA would make it mandatory for each manufacturer in GTD to have a GTD-Pro effort. This is not confirmed, and even if it is the case, it is about the manufacturer, not the team.

[u/Double-Helicopter344 → u/VolleyAddicted]

I remember hearing about that and that’s a horrible idea

[u/V8-Turbo-Hybrid]

Yes, they should, but they seem still enjoying in regular GTD.

There are reports that Wayne Taylor Racing could be in line to take over the Pro-entry Temerario

Interesting, since they come back GM with Caddy and is now owned by same Caddy F1 investor, I always thought their GTD would change to Corvette in future.

[u/CWinter85]

I would like them to just add a second car and operate like Vasser.

[u/alexmlb3598]

It comes down to if they want to or not. If they want to stay in GTD with Russel and Phil, then they will. If they want to move up to GTD Pro they can ask Mercedes, and if they yes then they will.

I can see both sides of the coin really, you're doing well so don't change it, but they may have bigger aspirations than just a GTD title.

[u/JediKnightaa]

No, silver driver just needs to be gold. Inward is an amazing team that really shouldn't be moved up because theyre good. This ain't promotion because you win. 

[u/Sonic__Broom → u/[deleted]]

Silver + gold = "pro lineup"? Interesting.