Forbush Performance Set for a Full VP Racing SportsCar Challenge Season in 2027
French talent Jules Caranta to join Matt Forbush behind the wheel of the No. 18 Duqueine D09
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Forbush Performance will run a full-season campaign in the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge in 2027, with team owner Matt Forbush racing alongside emerging French star Jules Caranta.
The duo ran a partial season in 2026, with Forbush contesting the endurance rounds at Sebring (with Tom Long), then COTA and Road America with Caranta (the team earned a podium finish at Road America). Caranta then ran the season finale doubleheader at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta and swept the table, taking pole position and race victories in both outings.
Forbush, 42, grew up watching his stepfather, Al Bacon, capture four Rolex 24 at Daytona victories, but didn’t pursue racing himself until later in life. A lifelong sports competitor who played football at Clemson, Forbush raced Spec Miatas before launching Forbush Performance in 2021.
The team won the TCA championship that year before taking its Toyota GR Supra GT4 program to IMSA in 2022. In 2023, Forbush stepped back from full-season racing to focus on his software company and raising triplet sons and a younger daughter, while continuing to compete a few times each year. He fielded an LMP3 car in HSR in 2025 to familiarize himself with the platform and following a successful exit from his software business, is now focused full time on growing Forbush Performance and expanding Duqueine’s presence in North America.
With Forbush Performance also serving as the distribution and parts supplier for Duqueine Automotive, Forbush is more than ready to get 2027 underway.
“From the moment we switched to the Duqueine chassis last year, we improved every event and we want to keep that momentum rolling in 2027,” said Forbush. “The team has some races under their belts, so they understand a lot more of what's going to be involved working on the Duqueine, especially from an engineering perspective. The core group of mechanics has been with me for years, and a large part of what I enjoy most about being in racing is the camaraderie in the tent. There’s a great deal of continuity there, a group of guys who really enjoy working together and really trust each other.”
2027 will mark the first full season of racing in the U.S. for Caranta, 18, who continues to impress as one of the rising young talents in sports car racing.
In his early career, Caranta captured numerous karting titles, then progressed quickly through the junior single seater ranks, finishing third in his rookie French F4 season in 2024 (which earned him a seat on the Red Bull Junior Team), and sixth in the 2025 Eurocup-3 series. He then burst onto the sports car racing scene in 2026, finishing 10th in the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, finishing 10th in the championship standings despite competing in only four of the 16 races – though sweeping the points table at the season finale.
The St. Tropez native also competed in the Michelin Le Mans Cup with Nielsen Racing, earning a fifth-place finish at Le Mans. His stellar record – all in Duqueine chassis – earned him a position in the Duqueine by Debard Academy.
“Jules is a phenomenal talent,” said Forbush. “But beyond that, he’s an outstanding young man, humble and disciplined. He’s also a great ambassador for the team. So aside from being one of the quickest drivers on track, he’s got all those other things going for him, as well as a great family. We all enjoy working with him and are excited to have him back – though realistically, I know he’s not going to be driving an LMP3 car forever. We hope to have success this season of course, but it also makes me happy to see him have this as a stepping stone for what undoubtedly will be a very successful racing career.”
“I’m extremely excited to be back with Forbush Performance for the 2027 season,” said Caranta. “We had a great start together during our first races this year, showing some very promising potential. I’m incredibly grateful for the trust and support from the team, and I can’t wait to continue working together, keep improving and push for even better results next season, especially with more time to prepare. We’ll be more than ready!”
The seven-race VP Racing SportsCar Challenge begins at Sebring International Raceway February 26 – 28.