gmg racing

GMG Heads to St. Petersburg Ready for Three Car Effort

Date	March 8, 2017

With Global Motorsports Group (GMG) announcing three different programs in the Pirelli World Challenge over the past two weeks, the team’s 2017 effort begins in full force during this weekend’s season opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Featuring two Porsche 911 GT3 R entries in the series’ GTA category, as well as the all-new McLaren 570S GT4 in GTS, the team’s depth and diversity will be on showcase as the cars hit the track for the first official practice on Thursday.

“We’re as prepared as we can be for this weekend,” stated GMG team owner James Sofronas. “The truth is all of these programs have been works in progress going all the way back to last year. Between the funding, car delivery, prep, testing, it’s a huge effort, but we have some amazing partners and an incredible crew, and it finally comes together this weekend. It’s a big weekend for Alec Udell, who after two great years in GT-Cup will make his sprint debut in GTA, and I think he’ll really impress. This has been a long time coming, and we couldn’t be more thankful to everyone at Euroworld Motorsports for making the whole program happen for him. Similarly, this will be a new era for George Kurtz in GTS, and with the CrowdStrike program we really look forward to a successful campaign both on and off the track. Of course I’m always looking forward to getting back to the track myself. The GTA category is really shaping up to be an incredibly competitive class, it should provide some great racing.”

Beginning an all-new challenge in the GTA category, Alec Udell will take to the city street course with the expectation of being immediately competitive in the No. 17 Euroworld Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R. After a landmark 2016 season in which he took 12 victories en route to a GT-Cup category championship, the logical step up to the GTA ranks was largely made possible thanks to the role of Euroworld Motorsports and owner Frank Lee, who will take on the role of car owner in Alec’s program, with GMG handling the management and preparation of the campaign. Udell and Euroworld are now entering their third year of partnership together, with Euroworld holding the unique distinction of being the country’s only certified automotive carbon fiber repair facility. Based in Houston, they are one of Texas’s leading European auto repair and performance facility.

“I’m extremely excited to start the Pirelli World Challenge GTA championship off strong at the streets of St. Petersburg,” stated Udell. “I have to be honest, this course and I have had our odds with each other in the past, so this year I’m going in extra prepared and ready for the new challenges at hand. After my run in the GMG Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport for the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge race at Daytona earlier this year, I’ve been itching to get back in a racecar. ”

Not to be outdone, James Sofronas will also be entered in the series’ GTA category, now in his second year behind the wheel of the No. 14 Mobil 1 / Thermal Club Porsche 911 GT3 R. A veteran of Pirelli World Challenge competition, the Villa Park, California resident has been in the series since 1994, largely in Porsche machinery. Using the program as a testing ground for many of the performance tuning and development technologies that they apply to their customer’s street cars, Sofronas will use the weekend as a new opportunity to further the product line.

Finally, in the No. 04 CrowdStrike McLaren 570S GT4, George Kurtz will begin his first full-season of Pirelli World Challenge competition. Competing in the surging GTS category, now adopting the worldwide GT4-spec of racing cars, Kurtz and GMG will be making their McLaren debut together, a vehicle which has shown tremendous promise in other series. A veteran of numerous grassroots series, Kurtz made his Pirelli World Challenge debut last year in select SprintX events, but 2017 will mark his first full season entry. Equally notable, mixing his business acumen with driving talent, Kurtz’s cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike will take advantage of the series and team’s off-track offerings, utilizing the paddock as a hub for experiential entertainment for a number of their clients, partners, associates and vendors.

“I couldn’t be happier to join GMG for the 2017 Pirelli World Challenge season,” stated Kurtz. “The team’s reputation for running a competitive program is well known, and to take the wheel of the McLaren is an experience that every driver wishes for. Hopes are definitely high for a competitive run, and I’m sure we’ll only get stronger as the year goes on. At CrowdStrike we really look forward to a central program to build our experiential marketing base, and the platform that the series and team provide is unparalleled. It should be a great season and we couldn’t be more excited to get this going at St. Petersburg.”
Official practice begins tomorrow, with the GTS category featuring a double-header of races on Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11, and the GTA category competing with the GT and GT-Cup categories on Saturday, March 11 and Sunday, March 12. The team will provide continuous updates through their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feeds.

GMG’s James Sofronas Committed to Full Sprint Championship; Vanthoor for Select SprintX Events

Date	March 3, 2017

Returning for his 15th season of Pirelli World Challenge competition, Global Motorsports Group (GMG) team owner James Sofronas will arrive at next week’s Grand Prix of St. Petersburg fully committed to the series’ sprint rounds, continuing his commitment with Porsche Motorsport North America and the venerable Porsche 911 GT3 R. Beyond the five-race sprint championship, however, the team is proud to announce the addition of Porsche Motorsport works driver Laurens Vanthoor for the opening two rounds of the series’ SprintX championship, co-driving with Sofronas in pursuit of overall victory.

“It’s great to be back in the Pirelli World Challenge for another season,” stated Sofronas. “It’s incredible to think of how the series has grown over the years, and it’s been an honor to be a part of it. Our business has grown with it of course, and 2017 looks to be a great continuation of that. Last year we really enjoyed working with the current iteration of the Porsche 911 GT3 R in its first year of development, and headed in to this year we have a very good understanding of what to expect. Of course a big part of that is our relationship with Porsche Motorsport North America, and the addition of Laurens Vanthoor for our opening two SprintX events is a huge demonstration of our mutual commitment to one another. Porsche has been a big part of our business over the years, and bringing in such a talented co-driver is a great opportunity for everyone. I’m really looking forward to St. Petersburg and it should be a great race.”

As a team with a rich history of competing with Porsche machinery, GMG and Sofronas’ return to the marque is part of a partnership that has been synonymous with the team’s growth. Not only did Sofronas take his first victory, as well as his best championship finish under the Porsche Motorsport umbrella, but the team also played a critical role in the 2008 and 2009 Manufacturer’s Championship won by the brand. In 2016, GMG also held the unique distinction of being the top sales team for the Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport, selling more cars than any other in North America.

Joining GMG for the opening SprintX rounds at VIRginia International Raceway as well as Mosport will be factory newcomer Laurens Vanthoor. Joining the team in his first year with Porsche Motorsport, the Belgian will join Sofronas for the two-driver, sixty-minute format with an impressive roster of success. At only 25-years old, Vanthoor already has a résumé that includes the Intercontinental GT Championship, victories at the 24 Hours of Nürbürgring, 24 Hours of Spa, and even the German Formula 3 championship.

Of course, beyond the team’s on-track performance, Sofronas and company will continue to use the series as a development for their expanding street tuning business. As the leading performance tuning shop in Southern California, the team has used their trackside experience with Porsche and a number of other marques to give them a unique advantage in understanding the characteristics of their street counterparts. In such, no other organization in the area has a deeper understanding of the dynamics and engineering to make their vehicles perform, which has translated to a number of street car performance products. In addition, the racing environment has created an incredible learning ground for team personnel, with the team offering the same championship-winning experience on the track for a client’s daily driver.

In addition to Sofronas’s full efforts behind the wheel of the No. 14, the team owner will also maintain a busy racing schedule with the team’s three car program. Beyond running Alec Udell and Preston Calvert in another Porsche 911 GT3 R, the addition of George Kurtz’s McLaren 570S GT4 GTS program will add another dynamic in the form of experiential entertainment, with Kurtz bringing on CrowdStrike as a primary sponsor. On any given weekend, CrowdStrike will use the team and series as an opportunity to host several dozen partners, clients, and guests, the type of program that Sofronas relishes in, fully aware of what the series has to offer.

Additionally, Sofronas will bring on sponsorship to the program from Mobil 1, The Thermal Club, and a new partnership with renowned apparel company 5.11 Tactical. Producing a wide range of durability-oriented apparel, 5.11 Tactical joins the team as an excellent fit, with the company specializing in apparel ranging from shirts, pants, boots, accessories, and beyond, all oriented for extreme use including law enforcement, fire and rescue, and beyond.

The series “Sprint” championship will begin in just over one-weeks’ time with the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, with Sofronas and the No. 14 Mobil 1 / 5.11 Tactical / The Thermal Club Porsche 911 GT3 R committed to the entirety of the championship.

Official practice begins Thursday, March 9, with the first of two-races occurring on Saturday, March 11, and the second on Sunday, March 12.

Victory Sweep at Thermal Highlights 2017 Plans for GMG

Date	February 14, 2017

Servicing seven Porsches throughout the first round of The Thermal Club’s emerging “Triple Crown” racing series last weekend, the depth and quality of Global Motorsport Group (GMG) shined as the team prepares for a full assault on the upcoming 2017 racing season.

Winning both races outright as well as in multiple classes, the team collected nine trophies over the event weekend, servicing a full Porsche fleet that included: four Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsports, two Porsche 911 GT3 Cup vehicles, as well as the top-tier Porsche 911 GT3R.

Turning the team’s attention to the 2017 season, where it has already committed to competing in the Pirelli World Challenge, Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy USA, as well as additional grassroots series, GMG’s commitment to next year stands well ahead of many of its competitors, particularly in the fact that it heads in to next year with a legitimate foundation, not just the promise of one.

“We’re not a team that will make claims to show up based on some vague notion of reality, we’re looking toward 2017 because we’re fully staffed and prepared for it,” stated GMG’s James Sofronas. “This weekend we were lucky enough to see seven cars race under our umbrella, in a variety of Porsches and featuring drivers who came with a variety of experience levels. I’m proud of the fact that every one of them had a great experience, and our veteran team of technicians, engineers and driving coaches were able to provide an unparalleled service to all of them.”

As a team built on providing a variety racing opportunities to suit the experience and interest level of the driver, the team’s comprehensive understanding of all-things Porsche, whether it be the entry-level Cayman GT4 Clubsport, the established 911 GT3 Cup, or the aspirational GT3R, makes the team a perfect fit for racing at all levels.

After taking a commanding championship with 12 victories in the Pirelli World Challenge GT Cup category with driver Alec Udell, GMG’s commitment to the series remains unchanged, with multiple entries expected in 2017.

Newest to the fold is the team’s recent support of the Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport, of which the team is already supporting four machines. As a mid-engine vehicle producing around 385hp, the car acts as a perfect entrée to motorsports for the less experienced, all while enjoying the excellence expected with a Porsche vehicle.

Most notably, the car will be eligible to race in a variety of categories in 2017, not only in several Porsche-based club categories, but also the Pirelli World Challenge’s GTS category, where drivers can visit some of the most famed tracks in North America, and competing against top teams and drivers.

During this weekend’s Thermal Club races, GMG’s experience with the GT4 paid tremendous dividends, with victory and podiums seen for all of the team’s entrants with the prolific machine.

Taking the top-step of the podium would be team newcomer Hutton McKenna, who took to immediate pace in his GT4 Clubsport, taking pole on Saturday and converting that to lead every lap in his class, ultimately taking the victory.

Not to be outdone, taking part in his first-ever car race was development protégé Charlie Yuma. Charlie, who first began working with GMG many years ago on several streetcar projects, has become a signature member of the team, starting with his first track days before eventually making the full commitment to GT4 competition. Driving with a maturity beyond his years, Yuma was impressive all weekend, not putting a scratch on the car despite engaging in some impressive wheel-to-wheel races. This would be accented with a second-place finish, which was a remarkable achievement for someone who’d never taken part in a race prior.

Finally, also taking part in the weekend was team newcomer Elias Sabo, the team’s latest entry in to the driver development program. Sabo, who went from casual interest in track-day events to taking part in full-fledged racing, showed tremendous patience throughout the weekend, making zero mistakes and walking away with dual trophies as he took home podium finishes on both days of racing.

Beyond having a dedicated team of technicians on all of their cars, the three newcomers were also welcomed with professional coaching and data support by none other than Alec Udell, who happily went through every inch of data and visual support to help the trio achieve a podium sweep on Saturday.

Meanwhile, GMG’s support of the ever-present Porsche 911 GT3 Cup remained as strong as ever, with the team supporting drivers Kevin Westcott and Alex Welch. Campaigning the same type of machine that the team won 12 races with during this season’s Pirelli World Challenge campaign, the team’s depth of experience continued with a victory and podium for both drivers. Welch, a team veteran who has driven some of the biggest events in the world with GMG, including The Rolex 24 at Daytona as well as 12 Hours of Sebring, had a rough start during Saturday’s Race One when he was tagged from behind during the start and ended up spinning to a halt in the first turn. Not one to be complacent, the Colorado resident wasted no time getting back up to speed, picking up positions with every lap and eventually finding himself back to the lead in his class before the race would end, taking an impressive victory to add to his tally.

Kevin Westcott, meanwhile, continued an impressive development season, showing vast improvement from his first race 10 months ago to drive clean races all weekend, eventually taking home third place honors on Saturday.

Sharing duties in the top fledge Porsche 911 GT3R, Brent Holden and James Sofronas would race on Saturday and Sunday respectively, taking easy victories overall thanks in part to a year’s worth of experience that both drivers and crew have shared after competing with the machine in the Pirelli World Challenge GT and GTA categories.

Looking toward 2017, the team has not only demonstrated an amazing ability to provide unparalleled service to their clients, but continue to offer an increased line of services to new and prospective racers.

With the team committed to not only Pirelli World Challenge competition, but a number of series and big races around the country, we welcome any and all inquiries toward 2017.

Lamborghini Aventador SV

Date	February 13, 2017

Prior to the Fuel Run for Monterey this Aventador SV came in for some final touches. While already a stunning car we were able to add some final components to help set it off just right.
The factory hood was removed and replaced by the newly-released piece from Vorsteiner. Named the “Zaragoza Edizione” this pre-preg carbon hood is pressed into shape in Vorsteiner’s Autoclave and features oem-perfect fitment.

The wheels that rolled out on the car when it left Sant’Agata were pretty, but the SV’s dramatically-geometric body needed to roll on something a bit more bold. Up stepped Aristo Wheels. They provided a set of their 20”x9” front and 21”x13” rear Sport 5v wheels. These 3pc reverse-lipped wheels feature a color matched outer lip with satin gunmetal faces. Last of all we lowered the Aventador and performed one of our GMG-Signature alignments. With that done, this SV left our shop and proceeded to terrorize the roads on up to Monterey.

Udell, GMG Clinch Pirelli World Challenge Championship at Sonoma

Date	September 20, 2016

Following yet another dominant performance in which he led every lap of the weekend, Global Motorsports Group’s (GMG) Alec Udell took a dominant victory during both rounds of the Pirelli World Challenge’s penultimate weekend at Sonoma Raceway. Maximizing his points on the weekend, Udell has managed to build enough of a gap to clinch the GT-Cup championship headed in to the series finale at Laguna Seca raceway, earning his first title in series competition, as well as a landmark first for the GMG organization.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Alec and everyone on this team,” stated GMG team owner James Sofronas. “With Alec’s performance last year, we knew that 2016 could be his year, but you never how a season is going to unfold until it begins, and he’s just been perfect all year. For someone his age, the maturity he’s driven with has been unbelievable. I’m thrilled that we’ll head to one of our home tracks with the championship completely wrapped up, and it means we’ll get to run the finale with a focus on just enjoying the finale. It’s great to add a championship to our long roster of accomplishments within Pirelli World Challenge. We clinched two Manufacturers Championships for Porsche in 2008 and 2009, as well as two runner-up finishes in the GT class by super-close margins in 2009 and 2013, so to add a GT Cup championship to the mix is an excellent feeling. It’s such a testament to our guys. We knew entering this year that our re-commitment to Porsche would be the right move for our company. Developing so many performance products for our street line it seemed an obvious fit, and I think it shows in programs like this where we’ve shown so much speed.”

Continuing a season that had seen 10 victories leading up to the weekend, Alec Udell and the No. 14 Euroworld Motorsports / Panther Pipeline / Amsource Capital Porsche 911 GT3 Cup came in to the festivities knowing that a weekend sweep could clinch his championship, but that a clean weekend would be critical above all else. While the Pirelli World Challenge championship points system rewards race victories, it severely punishes a failure to finish, and both Udell and team knew that a finish was critical above all else.

Taking pole position for Saturday’s Race One, the 20-year old would take the green flag with a calm focus headed in to the opening laps. Quickly establishing himself as the fastest car in class, Alec simply managed his car as the race continued on, building a small but stable gap to second-place Sloan Urry, and never allowing his championship rival to close in. Without any significant challenge, the race would end as it started, with Udell taking yet another victory in his remarkable season.

For Race Two, the trend would continue. The Woodlands, Texas native would immediately jump to the lead from pole position yet again, and never look back as the laps continued. Continuing his championship form throughout the race, Udell would drive in a class of his own as he built a healthy gap over the field behind him, taking his 12th victory of the year and more importantly securing enough points to guarantee his GT Cup championship.

“It’s just been an incredible year,” stated Udell. “I couldn’t be more appreciative of everyone on the team. Neville and all the guys have given me a great car at every race, and of course this was all made possible by the efforts of James and everyone at the team who’ve been amazing to make this whole thing possible. We knew we had a real shot at the championship this year, but to walk away with 12 wins and still one race remaining is beyond what we could have hoped for. Last year we had such a heartbreaking incident that took us out of the championship that this year has more than made up for it. I couldn’t be happier and look forward to closing everything out in Monterey.”

Finally, driving the No. 14 Mobil 1 / Spyder / The Thermal Club Porsche 911 GT3 R in the GTA category, long-time team veteran Brent Holden showed significantly improved pace this weekend, culminating with a fourth place finish on Sunday. Understanding that patience and consistency would be key to his efforts, Holden drove without error, setting some of his fastest laps of the weekend. Additionally, the points earned this weekend moved Holden to fourth place in the GTA season championship.

“I’m very happy with the whole event,” stated Holden. “This weekend was all about gaining confidence in the car and competing within the largest GTA field of the year. I think I finally proved that I can run with some very talented amateur drivers. Saturday’s race was cut short by my high speed ‘off’ in Turn One, but I had a ball mixing it up with my competitors and stepped up my game Sunday, running fast and error-free times until the very end. I really have to thank the GMG team for their efforts to set up the car in a manner that not only fits with my driving style, but was incredibly reliable and steady. Needless to say, I am looking forward to our final event at Laguna, where James and I will be going for podiums in the two SprintX races.”

With the series ending in just three weeks, the team will enjoy their time staying in California, with the championship finale occurring just a few hours from their headquarters at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Practice will take place on Friday, October 7, with the race taking place on Sunday, October 9.

GMG Continues Two Car Effort at Sonoma

Date	September 14, 2016

Running two cars in two categories during the penultimate weekend of the Pirelli World Challenge, Global Motorsports Group (GMG) will head to the famed Sonoma Raceway in search of continuing championship form as the season comes to a close. With GT-Cup entrant Alec Udell currently leading his respective championship, all focus is on a strong weekend with the goal of furthering his lead heading in to the final round. Additionally, Brent Holden will continue in the team’s Porsche 911 GT3 R in the GTA category, furthering the team’s development work and aim for a podium.

“With two of the last three races happening this weekend, we’re extremely focused on making sure everything is perfect for Alec,” stated GMG team owner James Sofronas. “Alec and our GT-Cup program have had a tremendous season so far, but obviously this is a critical weekend for everything to go smooth. Luckily we have an amazing group of guys who have looked through every inch of the car, and of course we have a driver who has been driving with a maturity well beyond his years. Of course Brent will be there with the GT3 R as well, and we look forward to supporting him. We’ve learned a lot about the car over the year, and we’re all very hopeful we can add to his podium tally. It’s a busy time of year for all of us but we’re very excited to continue it on, it should be a great weekend.”

Continuing in the No. 17 Euroworld Motorsports / Amsource Capital / Panther Pipeline Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Alec Udell will head to Sonoma with a strong lead in the series championship, but with a cautious understanding that a patient finish will be key. Continuing a stellar season that has included 10 victories and a 94-point lead, all focus is on continuing his winning streak, but with a very clear understanding that championship points will be of ultimate importance above all else.

“We come to every race to win, but we know that finishing will be the most important part of this weekend,” stated Udell. “We’ve had an amazing car all season, and I couldn’t be luckier to have a group like we have with GMG. At this point in the season, the pressure is on to continue the kind of run we’ve had, and as long as everyone keeps focus and patience, we should be in great shape. Sonoma was a great event for us last year, and there’s no reason to think we can’t continue the form we’ve had all year, so we’re coming in with a lot of optimism.”

Competing in the No. 14 The Thermal Club / Mobil 1 / Spyder Porsche 911 GT3 R, Brent Holden will continue the team’s tradition in the series’ GTA category. Continuing a strong season that has seen him taking podiums in both the GTA and Sprint X categories, the Californian looks to add another trophy to his collection.

“Sonoma is always a great venue for competition, and hopefully our Porsche should be pretty strong there,” stated Holden. “James and all the guys always put together a great car, and as we continue to learn and develop the Porsche, we prove just how competitive a group we have. My focus this year is on the new SprintX category, but with more entries in the GTA category this week at Sonoma, I am looking forward to a closer level of competition.”

Practice begins this Friday, September 16, with race action taking place on Saturday and Sunday. Run in conjunction with the season finale of the Verizon IndyCar Series, Race One will take place on Saturday at 7:50PM ET, and Race Two the following day at 1:15PM. Live coverage can be found at world-challenge.tv.