As the first of several announcements for their multi-car entry in the 2017 Pirelli World Challenge, Global Motorsports Group’s (GMG) Alec Udell and series veteran Preston Calvert are proud to announce a full-season effort in a team-prepared Porsche 911 GT3 R. Committing to the full year, Udell will compete solo in the series’ GTA category for sprint races, with Calvert taking on co-driver duties in the series’ developing SprintX championship.

“I couldn’t be happier to see Alec develop in to the next level of competition,” stated GMG team owner James Sofronas. “Alec has been a shining star of our development program since he first entered the championship, and elevating up to the GT ranks is going to be a great next step. Having Preston Calvert join for the SprintX races couldn’t be a better fit. Preston was one of the first on-board last year when the new championship began, and he’s already a proven winner. We’ve known each other for a long time and it’s great to finally have him under our tent. This is the first of several programs that we’ll be announcing as we get closer to St. Petersburg, it’s going to be a great year.”

Competing in the No. 17 Euroworld Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R, Alec Udell will arrive at the series-opener as the reigning Pirelli World Challenge GT-Cup category champion. After an incredible 2016 season with GMG that saw him take 12 victories in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup-based category, the step up to the venerable Porsche 911 GT3 R is the next logical step in his path. During the 2016 season finale, the Texas native demonstrated a preview of his potential in the machine, having competed in an identical vehicle, taking repeated fast laps and nearly winning.

Now entering his third season with GMG, the Clemson University engineering student will be entered in the series GTA category by virtue of his full-time student status.

“I’m very excited for the 2017 Pirelli World Challenge racing season,” stated Udell. “Moving up classes always comes with a learning phase; I’m ready for the challenge of GTA. The competition in PWC GT is second to none, with several factory backed programs and factory drivers; I have certainly got my work cut out for me. The sprint format makes it somewhat of an all out battle from green to checkered, considering how well the Pirelli P-Zeros hold up throughout the race. I’ve been training a lot in the off season to be prepared for the physical and mental fatigue experienced throughout the races, I can’t wait to get back in the car. I’m aiming for a podium in GT-A and overall podium in GT. I know it will be a tough fight, but I believe I’m capable.”

In the series’ newly developing SprintX championship, Preston Calvert will join Udell for the one-hour long, two-driver format. In 2016, Calvert competed in the very first SprintX events in series history, taking two historic victories in the process. A long-time member of the sportscar paddock, Preston will enter under his usual Calvert Dynamics banner, with GMG preparing the vehicle.

“I am grateful to James Sofronas and GMG for their offer to help me campaign my car this season,” stated Calvert. “GMG is a world-class GT racing organization, with a proven track record of success and excellence. GMG will take over the handling of my GT3-R as of the VIR SprintX weekend, and will manage it for the rest of the events. I am fortunate that Stefan Pfeiffer (engineer) and Andrew Davis (coach) will continue to offer their support to Alec and me as our race engineer and driver coach, respectively, during the SprintX events. Phoenix Performance, Joe Aquilante, Andrew Aquilante and Kurt Rezzetano have been fantastic partners in both Club and Pro racing with me the past three years, but the SprintX race schedule did not permit them to support my car for the 2017 series, conflicting with their other prior commitments. I will continue to race in SCCA Club racing, PCA Club racing and Trans-Am with Phoenix during the 2017 year.”

In addition to the Udell and Calvert entry, GMG will announce multiple additional entries both in the GT and GTS categories pf the Pirelli World Challenge. As the leading service shop in Southern California for both street tuning and motorsports, a full roster of 2017 programs is already making for a busy season for the team.

Additional announcements and entries will be revealed as the season-opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg nears, taking place March 10-12.