Conquest Not Ruling Out Two-Car Ferrari Program in 2025

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

Conquest Racing hasn’t ruled out a possible expansion to a two-car Ferrari 296 GT3 program in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship next year according to team principal Eric Bachelart, who said he’s had “a few discussions” from potential customers.

The Indianapolis-based team, which has made its IMSA top-series return this year with a full season GTD entry with Manny Franco and Albert Costa Balboa, campaigned a second 296 GT3 in last weekend’s round at Road America for Giacomo Altoe and Ferrari factory driver Daniel Serra, which claimed GTD Pro class honors.

It marked Conquest’s first two-car GT program, an idea that was conceived by the team’s Silver-rated driver Franco.

“Manny Franco was intrigued,” Bachelart told Sportscar365 prior to Sunday’s race.

“He wanted to have a chance to work with other professional drivers and understand the dynamic and learn from more professional drivers and their feedback.

“At the same time, he was keen to also help with the second car to support the entries.

“It was a good opportunity for us. This is the first time we’ve brought two GTs, ever.

“The time to put everything together and the logistics and the people and everything, of course I’m quite excited and a little bit anxious as well because you have one shot to make it right.”

When asked about the prospects of a second car on a regular basis next year, Bachelart indicated that a number of factors will have to come together.

Conquest, which fields up to 20 cars in Ferrari Challenge North America, holds a deep customer base with drivers interested in moving up to either Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS or WeatherTech Championship competition.

“We are finalizing the first [IMSA] car for next year,” Bachelart said. “It’s not completely done but we’re very much open to do a second car for IMSA.

“We have enough cars to do that. We have three [296 GT3] chassis. I think the goal would be to run two cars if we could.

“I know there’s some interest. The people are in [Ferrari] Challenge are more interested to go into SRO.

“But we have a few discussions about a potential second car in IMSA but it’s still a long-shot, but you never know.”

Bachelart said a second car could also hinge on whether they would be granted that entry by IMSA, with full-season entries for this year having had been oversubscribed.

“I need to see [IMSA President] John Doonan and say, ‘Hey, is it a possibility or is it not a possibility?’ We need to start with that,” he said.

Conquest Looking to Build on First Season With Franco

Bachelart said he’s been pleased with his team’s progress this season in GTD, particularly Franco in his first season of WeatherTech Championship competition.

“Manny is a special guy,” said Bachelart. “From the first time I met him, I felt like he had some good talent.

“Obviously when we’re here right now, at Road America, he’s the only Silver and he has three pros.

“I said, ‘Manny, do you realize, don’t make it too hard on yourself because you have three pros. It’s very hard to compare.’

“But he’s doing pretty well. I think this morning he was only five-tenths off. He’s motivated and working on his fitness.

“I can see the motivation and dedication to get to the best level. And he keeps on improving.

“We knew this year was a learning year. We had to learn as a team and he had to learn as well. We’ve had some ups and downs but I believe that so far we’ve probably been above expectations.

“We’ve had two podiums in Endurance [Cup] so far. This time we’re fourth in the championship as far as the team.

“I think we’ve done fairly well so far this year.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John