Neugebauer ‘Chasing New Challenge’ With RAFA, Toyota

Photo: José Mario Dias

Werner Neugebauer says he’s “chasing a new challenge” of racing in America as the accomplished Porsche single-make driver sets his sights on title glory in Pirelli GT4 America.

The three-time Porsche Carrera Cup Brasil champion, who made the switch to U.S. racing last year with a dual program in Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America and IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, continues with RAFA Racing Team but in SRO America competition for the first time.

Neugebauer, who will share the No. 812 Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2 with Chris Spada in the Pro-Am class beginning with this weekend’s season opener at Sonoma Raceway, spent nine seasons in Carrera Cup Brasil, culminating with the 2024 Endurance title alongside Formula 1 veteran Rubens Barrichello.

“I won three championships there, so my move to the U.S. was another challenge,” he told Sportscar365. “I was doing Carrera Cup in Brazil for a long time.

“At that time I was running for a championship with Rubens. We were doing very good work and working really well together.

“I said, ‘OK, if I win this, I’d like something else.’ Then I started looking for opportunities in the U.S.

“I went to some IMSA races with Felipe Nasr. He introduced me to some people there and that’s how my U.S. journey started.

“I was chasing a new challenge.”

While learning U.S. tracks in Super Trofeo North America with the Kevin Conway-led RAFA squad, Neugebauer enjoyed breakout moments in Pilot Challenge driving for the Brazilian Panam Motorsport squad in its Toyota GT4 entry, which he felt helped lead to the RAFA opportunity in GT4 America.

“I arrived in Sebring last year with absolutely zero experience in the Supra,” he explained.

“I barely knew the track, just from iRacing. I qualified P4 and finished my stint in P2, even with some temperature problems in the engine.

“All the other races we had the chance to fight and delivered the best results we could with the very little budget we had.

“I think I did well enough that Kevin Conway had the good impression to invite me to this year’s program in SRO.”

Despite several more tracks, including Sonoma and Barber Motorsports Park, new to Neugebauer, the 40-year-old said he’s up to the challenge and is targeting class wins and the title in the highly competitive Pro-Am ranks.

“I’m very motivated for this year, for the partnership with Chris Spada and I’m very thankful for the opportunity that RAFA Racing Team has given me for the year,” said Neugebauer.

“With all of the support that RAFA is giving us and my previous experience, to be honest with you, my goal is to fight for the championship.

“We’re in the Pro-Am class. I know it’s very competitive with very good drivers. But I’ll do my best to fight for the championship until the last day.”

Neugebauer says his long-term goal is to end up in the WeatherTech Championship GTD ranks but realizes he needs to first make a name for himself in North America in order to continue to progress up the ranks.

“My goal in the U.S. is to climb the ladder and to be in the WeatherTech Championship,” he said. “That’s why I took this whole journey.

“RAFA is a team that can definitely help me with that. It’s a long-term relationship, regardless of their plans in the future.”

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