By: Elena Mart
Orlando, Florida — Stallion Motorsports is excited to announce the addition of internationally renowned Brazilian driver Raphael “Raphinha” Reis for the upcoming season of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, one of the most significant endurance and touring car championships in global motorsport. Raphinha will join the team in the TCR class, partnering with Celso Neto throughout the full season.
The signing represents a notable milestone for Stallion Motorsports and further highlights IMSA’s increasingly global character. Reis’ entry into the North American championship brings to the United States one of the most consistent, experienced, and respected touring car drivers from South America and the international TCR scene.
With a solid career built at the highest level, Raphinha Reis is widely recognized as one of the most capable drivers of his generation. A Stock Car Light Champion, multiple TCR wins, and the only driver to have started every race in the history of TCR South America, he has developed a trajectory characterized by consistency, technical preparation, strategic intelligence, and strong performance in front-wheel-drive machinery.
Over the course of his career, Raphinha has accumulated several victories, podiums, and standout results at some of South America’s most demanding circuits, establishing himself as a well-respected figure in the paddock. His racecraft, tire management, and technical communication with engineers have consistently linked his name to car development and the evolution of high-level racing programs.
One of the most significant moments of his recent career was securing the first-ever global victory for the CUPRA Leon VZ TCR—a noteworthy achievement that placed his name in the platform’s history and reinforced his role as a key driver for manufacturers and teams. In addition, Reis represented Brazil at the FIA Motorsport Games, carrying the national flag at one of the world’s most important motorsport events, and he frequently appears in the TCR world rankings, confirming his international relevance.
In IMSA, Raphinha begins a new chapter by joining forces with Celso Neto, winner of the IMSA 3D Scholarship and regarded as one of the category’s exciting recent talents. Neto has distinguished himself through his rapid development, competitive maturity, and consistent results, drawing attention from teams, sponsors, and IMSA officials alike.
The partnership between the two Brazilians represents a strategic mix of experience and youth, technical depth and speed, along with a strong cultural connection that may further strengthen Brazil’s presence in North American motorsport. Together, they will represent Stallion Motorsports in a season that is expected to feature high technical standards and competitive intensity within the TCR class.
For Raphinha Reis, joining IMSA represents the realization of an important professional goal. The Michelin Pilot Challenge is recognized for its structure, diverse circuits, technical balance, and high level of competition, offering an ideal environment for both experienced drivers and rising talents.
In his first statement as a team driver, Raphinha highlighted the significance of the moment:
“Joining IMSA is very special for me. It is a highly respected championship with an extremely high technical level. Stallion Motorsports has built a serious, well-structured program, and sharing the car with Celso Neto is something that truly motivates me. He is talented, dedicated, and has a bright future ahead. I want to contribute with my experience and work toward achieving strong results together.”
Celso Neto also expressed his enthusiasm for the arrival of his new teammate:
“Having Raphinha as my co-driver is an honor. He is one of the most well-rounded touring car drivers I have ever seen, with impressive racecraft and extensive experience. The opportunity to bring a driver of his caliber to IMSA is a major achievement for our project and for Brazilian motorsport.”
According to Stallion Motorsports management, the decision to bring in Raphinha Reis was a natural fit for the team’s long-term vision:
“Raphinha brings everything we were looking for: a winning background, technical capability, leadership, and professionalism. Alongside Celso Neto, we have formed a highly competitive pairing with great potential and sustainable long-term growth within IMSA.”
The arrival of Raphael “Raphinha” Reis further enhances IMSA’s status as a truly global championship, capable of attracting high-tier international talent, and bolsters the competitiveness of the TCR class within the Michelin Pilot Challenge. For Brazilian motorsport, the partnership represents another important step in consolidating the country as a source of drivers capable of competing—and winning—at the world’s premier championships.
