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Kicking off the busy summer season with a return to their home state, a pair of victories would highlight Global Motorsports Group’s (GMG Racing) latest round of SRO competition at Sonoma Raceway, taking four podiums among three entries, including a win for the team’s new Porsche 911 GT3 R. In the GT4 SprintX category, Jason Bell would take his first series victory with teammate James Sofronas, while Sofronas and Porsche factory driver Dirk Werner would drive their 911 GT3 R to a win in GT3 Pro-Am. Bell would also run competitive in the GT4 America Sprint category with a pair of sixth-place finishes.

“This was a great weekend for the entire team,” stated GMG team owner and driver James Sofronas. “As we kick off the summer season, our team was in full swing with six races on our plate, and to walk away with two wins and four podiums is continued proof of the team’s depth. GMG has celebrated a rich history with Porsche Motorsport North America, and the race at Sonoma was a perfect celebration of that. We were grateful for the presence of Dirk, and delivering a win was a great return on the support. Similarly, it was great to finally get Jason Bell a victory, he’s been very deserving and working so hard to get the results we all knew were there. Of course for me personally it was incredibly satisfying as well. To drive four races and score a podium in all of them, let alone two wins, is a great shot of momentum heading in to the rest of the year.”

With factory driver Dirk Werner joining the team for the weekend, GMG would once again take the opportunity to a reflect on a long-standing history of success with Porsche Motorsport North America. With many of the teams origins setting back to Porsche machinery, some of the team’s greatest successes go back to the marque, including a 2017 series championship, 2009 manufacturer’s title, and victories at some of the most signature events including the Grand Prix of Long Beach. As the premiere service center for aftermarket performance on Porsche street machinery, the team’s connection between track and street performance is unparalleled.

In the Blancpain GT World Challenge, GMG would once again return with the No. 14 Porsche 911 GT3 R. With the tight and twisty confines of Sonoma Raceway providing a constant challenge for the GT3 machinery, James would start the race in a strong position, battling for a podium position before handing his machine over to Dirk for the end. Werner would hold his own and bring home a podium finish in third.

For Sunday’s Race Two, a reversing of driver orders would result in a top finish for the team. With Dirk doing an excellent job of starting the race in a podium position, it was Sofronas’s closing laps that would secure the victory, with James battling hard with another Porsche to ultimately grab the lead on the penultimate lap through the treacherous Turn Six, and cruising from there to bring home the team’s second victory of the weekend.

In the Pirelli GT4 America SprintX category, James Sofronas and Jason Bell would once again re-unite for the two-driver format. Campaigning with the prolific No. 2 Audi R8 LMS GT4, Jason Bell would take starting duties for Saturday’s Race One. Making a clean start and with the mindset that a clean opening stint was critical, Bell would enjoy a strong open to the race, minding his laps as best he could before handing over to Sofronas for the close. Handing over a clean car to the team owner, James would do his best to make work of the field in front of him, elevating the No. 2 to the lead in class as the race unfolded, and ultimately holding position for the victory.

Sunday’s Race Two would run similarly, with Sofronas taking on starting duties and handing over to Bell, who did a great job managing the car to come home second in class.

Not to be outdone, Jason Bell would also compete solo in the Pirelli GT4 America Sprint class. Driving the No. 2 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, Bell’s continued progress over the year once again showed, battling for the top-five throughout both races, ultimately settling for a pair of sixth place finishes.

“It was a great weekend at Sonoma Raceway,” stated Jason Bell. “To come away with a SprintX win alongside my co-driver James Sofronas was one of the goals this weekend, and we accomplished that in race one. We were also able to stand on the podium in race two, providing GMG with a double podium performance. What a weekend!”

The team will now enjoy a few weeks of space before their next round, heading further north to Portland International Raceway in Portland, Oregon, for GT4 competition from July 12-14.

Adding to a long list of storied drivers from Global Motorsports Group (GMG Racing), Porsche factory driver Dirk Werner will join the team’s return to GT3 competition during next weekend’s SRO GT World Challenge and GT4 America rounds at Sonoma Raceway. Campaigning with team owner James Sofronas in the Pro-Am division of the GT3 category, the team will continue with full-season entrant Jason Bell in the GT4 sprint category, while James Sofronas and Jason Bell will share double duties by sharing in the series’ SprintX division.

“It’s an exciting weekend ahead, and we’re thrilled to have the experience of Dirk Werner with us,” stated team owner James Sofronas. “Dirk has a long resume of success that should add valuable information to the team, and his presence only further solidifies our long-standing relationship with Porsche Motorsport. Of course Jason Bell will continue his season-long campaign and we’re eager to get him on to the podium, and it will be great to join forces in the SprintX category as well. It will be a busy weekend running three different categories, but our guys are as prepared as ever, and we look forward to it.”

One of the top-rated GT drivers for over a decade, Dirk Werner joins the team as a full-time member of Porsche’s factory driver line-up, competing in Porsche machinery across the globe. Enjoying factory roles throughout the last decade, Dirk is a former GRAND-AM series champion, a North American Endurance Cup champion, and with countless podiums at many of the biggest sportscar races around the world. GMG will rejoin their rich history in the GT3 ranks this weekend, with Werner and James Sofronas taking to the wheel in the No. 14 Porsche 911 GT3 R during the weekend’s Blancpain GT World Challenge double-header.

For Werner, a newcomer to GMG, the opportunity to join one of North America’s most reputed teams is an exciting one.

“I’m looking forward to joining GMG for the upcoming Sonoma round,” stated Werner. “The team has a long history in American GT racing and with Porsche, and I’m hoping to add to their heritage. James Sofronas has had some great results for several decades so I’m sure we’ll make a good pairing, and we hope for a competitive weekend.”

In his season-long campaign in the GT4 America Sprint championship, Jason Bell will return with his No. 2 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport looking for podium honors. With steady improvement being achieved at each race meeting, his 2019 season took a high during the most recent round in Canada with a fourth-place, priming Bell for podium expectations for the future.

Adding to his race weekend, Jason will also take to the series’ multi-driver GT4 SprintX championship, campaigning an Audi R8 LMS GT4 with James Sofronas. Hopes are high for the duo in Sonoma, having most recently competed together at Sebring International Raceway during the first annual Encore event, where the two took a podium with the highly rated Andy Lally.

“I’m looking forward to double-duty this weekend,” stated Bell. “Extra track time is always welcome at a place like Sonoma, and with James’ record of success in the Audi GT4 I’m hoping for a strong weekend. Everyone at GMG has been excellent all year and I’m looking forward to keeping it going.”

Official practice begins Friday, June 7, with a double-header of action in all three categories throughout the June 8 and 9 weekend. The team will provide regular updates via their social media channels.

With three cars competing in two different events across North America, Global Motorsports Group (GMG Racing) would enjoy a fruitful weekend of competition during both the Porsche Trophy West round at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, as well as the Pirelli GT4 America double-header taking place at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. With the team split across two different parts of the continent, a combination of three podiums and five top-five finishes would demonstrate the team’s depth. In the Porsche Trophy West, Kevin Westcott and Chris Thompson would both enjoy podium results in their return to Monterey, meanwhile Jason Bell would take his Porsche to a season-high fourth during the ultra-competitive round in Canada.

“It was a great weekend for our whole program,” stated GMG team owner James Sofronas. “Spreading across two parts of the continent always presents the potential for challenges, but the results speak for themselves on the depth of our team. Our entire crew stepped up as always, and it’s really a credit to them for the performance that we have. Seeing both Kevin and Chris take podiums in Monterey is incredibly satisfying, they’ve both showed incredible progress and the results are really showing. Jason Bell did an incredible job to take fourth in Canada, the GT4 ranks within that series are some of the most competitive in the world, he should be proud of that effort. Overall it’s been a great season for us and we’re looking forward to the busy summer season.”

Acting as a stepping-stone with the team’s driver development system, catering to any number of experience levels, the Porsche Trophy West USA provides an excellent venue for new and experienced racers alike to develop in a fostering environment. Taking to the scenic WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, just a few hours from GMG’s Santa Ana headquarters, Kevin Westcott and Chris Thompson would arrive in the series’ GT3 and GT4 ranks respectively.

Sweeping the podium in both Saturday’s Race One and Sunday’s Race Two, Chris Thompson would take top honors for the team with a patient and competitive drive in his Porsche GT4 Cayman Clubsport. Balancing patience with aggression, Chris would take second in Race One, and third in Race Two.

Not to be outdone, Kevin Westcott and his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup would also show extremely well, just narrowly missing the podium on Saturday’s Race One with a fourth but bouncing right back to take third on Sunday.

Meanwhile, in the Pirelli GT4 America double-header at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, the No. 2 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport of Jason Bell would continue to make progress in his 2019 campaign. Making a strong start during Saturday’s Race One, Jason would enjoy a clean and competitive race, taking advantage of the fast, sweeping corners and hillsides synonymous with the circuit to advance to fourth by time the checkered flag fell. It would serve as his best finish of the year, with podium-worthy performance now seeming to be a matter of time.

Sunday’s Race Two would show similar promise before a late-race incident would compromise the effort.

“It was a good weekend in Canada,” stated Bell. “We were pretty quick right out of the gate in Thursday afternoon’s practice session and it carried through the weekend. Sunday was a difficult day, but we will rebound and come back stronger at the next one. The GMG guys gave me a great car this weekend. With each passing event, we are learning more and more about this Porsche and becoming more consistent. The speed is there, and we will be on the podium and winning races in the very near future.”

Focus will now turn to an event just two weeks away, returning to GMG’s home state of California. Taking to the famed Sonoma Raceway on June 7-9 for the first time in several years for the series, GMG will announce their full lineup shortly.

With the busy Spring of 2019 now headed toward summer, Global Motorsports Group (GMG) and Jason Bell will head north of the border to the famed Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP), formerly known as “Mosport,” to continue the team’s campaign in the Pirelli GT4 America ranks.

“We’re hoping that Canada can present a real breakout opportunity for Jason,” stated GMG team owner James Sofronas. “Canadian Tire Motorsport Park is one of the most demanding courses in the whole series, and with Jason’s continuing development this track will present a real opportunity to showcase his talent. Now that he’s had several races under his belt in the Porsche hopes are high that the results will really start coming.”

Driving the No. 2 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport, Bell will arrive for the fifth weekend of his season ready to take on the unique challenges of the fast, 2.46-mile, 10-turn circuit. Demanding high speeds and strong torque to climb the rolling hills or the configuration, hopes are high that Jason’s Porsche will be well suited to the task. Improving with every race, a top finish is not far away.

“”It is a jam packed weekend of competition in Canada, so track time is limited for us,” stated Bell. “Competitors with track knowledge will have a little bit of an advantage so we should be ok, but we will also be on the CTMP circuit for the first time ever with our new Porsche Cayman. I am hoping a lot of the bad luck has now cycled through the system and that the only luck we have in Canada is some good luck. A big thanks to the GMG Racing guys for all of their hard work and continued support as we push forward in 2019.”

Official practice begins this Friday, May 17, with a double header of races on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s first race will take place at 9AM ET, with Sunday’s second at 4:30PM ET. Coverage can be found on GMG’s social media channels as well as SRO America’s live feed which can be found on YouTube.

Continuing a competitive 2019 season that has seen the team score a podium at every event they’ve entered, Global Motorsports Group (GMG Racing) would continue their streak at VIRginia International Raceway, with a podium finish highlighting a competitive weekend. Campaigning in the series’ Sprint category, Jason Bell would enjoy another top-10 run, while SprintX challengers CJ Moses and James Sofronas would take podium honors with a best finish of second.

“Another solid weekend in the books,” states team owner James Sofronas. “VIR is always a track that requires the most from the car, so being able to earn CJ his first podium at such a challenging place is a great reward. We’re entering the busiest part of the year, and the crew have been perfect as always. A smooth event was able to net not only a podium for our entry, but another top-10 for Jason. We continue to learn and develop, and we look forward to the next round.”

Competing in the two-driver SprintX category, team newcomer CJ Moses would pair with Sofronas for the first time, with anticipation high for a strong result. Enjoying his first season of top-level competition, Moses would take to the scenic Virginia circuit after a strong debut so far, making few mistakes all year and arriving at a circuit that is notoriously forgiving for newer drivers.

During Saturday’s Race One, a strong opening by Moses would hand Sofronas a clean car, allowing the reigning series champion to enjoy a charge through the field and in to a podium position, eventually being scored second when the results were posted. Sunday’s Race Two would see the drivers reverse roles, with both doing a remarkable job to maintain pace and eventually take fifth.

For Moses, a strong weekend was rewarded with his best result yet.

“Racing at VIR with James and GMG in the Audi R8 felt right at home,” said Moses. “We had a couple of good races here this weekend, but finishing our Saturday on the podium can’t be beaten. After two intense race weekends on street courses, racing at VIR really was like a ‘welcome home’ – and having some friends and employees from AWS and CrowdStrike here to cheer us on made it all the better! Thanks to everyone who helped make this weekend a good one!”

In the series’ Sprint weekend, Jason Bell would campaign a steady weekend with his new Porsche Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport. Debuting his machine just two weeks prior at Long Beach, Bell continued steady progress throughout the weekend’s events, with a top-10 during Sunday’s Race Two.

“We made progress,” stated Bell. “The guys did a good job getting us prepared, and we did the best we could. VIR is a unique layout and none of us were really sure what to expect against the competition, but overall we can be satisfied with the weekend we had.”

All focus now turns North in just two weeks’ time, with the series competing at the famed Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, one of the fastest courses in North America.

Taking part in their annual home race at the Grand Prix of Long Beach, Global Motorsports Group (GMG Racing) would once again enjoy a strong showing with a trio of top-10 finishes during Sunday’s round of the GT4 America category. Returning to the category for the first time since winning the championship in 2018, team owner James Sofronas would lead the charge with a sixth-overall, followed by Jason Bell with a seventh in category, and CJ Moses in eighth.

“We can be pretty satisfied with the weekend,” stated Sofronas. “The GT4 category continues to get more competitive every weekend, and while we would have hoped for a stronger run, we can’t be too disappointed given the quality of the field. It was tough to chase everyone down in front of me and be at a clear deficit with the current balance of performance, but it’s always a moving target. Jason did a great job getting up to speed with his new Porsche, and CJ was stronger with every session and impressed all of us. Overall everyone should be happy, and we came away with a clean race at a track notorious for damage.”

Showing strong in practice, including closing out Friday in first, James Sofronas would engage in a multitude of battles throughout Sunday’s race on the notorious street circuit. At a deficit on overall power due to series performance balancing, the No. 14 Mobil 1 / CrowdStrike / AWS / The Thermal Club / 5.11 Tactical Audi R8 LMS GT4 often showed pace over the competitors in front of him, however the necessary top-end speed to complete a pass was near impossible. On several occasions James had no choice but to make some daring late moves in his efforts to gain ground, ultimately exercising restraint to avoid incident. Sixth would prove the best he could ask for, and taking top honors for Audi.

In the series’ Am category, Jason Bell would show strong with seventh. Driving his No. 2 Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR for the first time in race conditions, Bell would prove steady over the course of the weekend, including doing a remarkable job of avoiding the typical race-opening chaos. Recognizing the importance of patience for his first race with his new machine, a top-10 at one of the most demanding circuits was satisfactory.

“We’re always aiming for higher finishes, but it was a good debut for the Porsche,” stated Bell. “Long Beach is notorious carnage, so being able to avoid that with where we were on the grid was a great boost, and sets us on a good course to continue with the rest of the season. I appreciate the effort everyone put in with the new car, we’re looking forward to the future.”

Finally, taking a remarkable top-10 in only his third race of the year, CJ Moses and his No. 04 CrowdStrike Audi R8 LMS GT4 would take a strong eighth. Taking to the Long Beach streets for the first time, Moses continued his steep learning curve to bring down his lap times throughout the weekend, ultimately using patience to his advantage by taking a clean finish and continually moving up the field.

“Long Beach is a great event to be a part of,” stated Bell. “It’s so easy to make a mistake here, and the consequences are so high, that I’m extremely happy to walk away with a clean race like we did, and the results speak for themselves. The guys at GMG did a great job getting me prepared, and that played a huge part in our weekend.”

With a full season of racing ahead, the team will now focus on their next event in just over one weeks’ time, competing at VIRginia International Raceway from April 26-28.