Mario Farnbacher will join Misha Goikhberg in the No. 78 Forte Racing Lamborghini Huracán for the full ISMA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.
Goikhberg has had Loris Spinelli alongside him in the past two seasons that resulted in fifth-place finishes in the points standings each year. For 2025, it will be two-time GTD champion Farnbacher, who spent last season in a partial program with Heart of Racing. Canadian Goikhberg and German driver Farnbacher have been teammates in the past, but this will be their first time as co-drivers.
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“It’s my first day in the new job and it was nice to get into this new environment and into the new challenges as well,” Farnbacher said yesterday after his first laps with the team. “I think the first test day today was good. Definitely a lot of things that are new that I need to learn and get my head around. I think we made some good progress and are getting to know each other as a new team. Really looking forward to the future and the Roar and Daytona weekends. I think we have a strong package and I’m really looking forward to this season. I’d like to thank the team and Lamborghini for giving me this opportunity.”
Big Machine Racing yesterday announced a partnership with Forte Racing that will have NASCAR driver Parker Kligerman in the car for Daytona. Forte has not yet announced its third driver for Daytona and the other Michelin Endurance Cup races.
Goikhberg and Spinelli have had four podiums in the past two seasons – three second-place finishes and a win at Motul Petit Le Mans in 2023 with Patrick Liddy. Forte Racing GTD Program Manager Michael Harvey is hoping to build on that success, starting with a strong Rolex 24 at Daytona.
“It’s a pleasure to watch this group grow,” Harvey declared. “We are very committed to taking the next step as we fight for a championship. So happy to continue this journey with Misha, and super excited to add a multiple champion like Mario to the program, His experience will be invaluable. We consider ourselves extremely fortunate to be able to add Parker to our Rolex charge, definitely a talent who will shine over the 24 hrs.”
Forte’s first official outing with its new driver pairing will be the Roar Before the 24 on Jan. 17-19, the weekend preceding the 63rd Rolex 24 at Daytona.