Following another strong showing by Global Motorsports Group (GMG) in the final round of the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Series, a succession of podium finishes would hand the team both driver’s and team championships. Beyond clinching the team title for the sportsman category, season-long entrant Tom O’Gara would also take the driver’s championship in the same division.

“I’m so happy for Tom, he’s been a major influence in this whole program,” stated GMG team owner James Sofronas. “Everyone on the team has done a phenomenal job all year. Six months ago we’d barely taken delivery of the cars, but between the leadership of guys like Tom, an unbelievable amount of initiative from our crew, and a partnership with The Thermal Club that has really helped us develop the car, we’re here today celebrating multiple championships. Winning the sportsman category is especially relevant because of what it says for our program. This series is meant to be entry level, and winning the team and driver’s titles shows just what our development system can provide.”

 Taking place at California Speedway on the heels of the circuit’s IndyCar weekend, the Sunday/Monday double-header was conducted in front of dozens of dealerships on hand. With Southern California playing host to one of the largest automotive markets in the world, the need for the entire series to show well was at a premium.

Headlining the weekend’s results would be veterans Lee Davis and Ryan Eversley on Sunday, followed by local hero Burt Jenner on Monday. With both entries taking second during their respective races, the trio kept GMG’s season-long podium streak alive.

For the duo of Davis and Eversley, the first-ever race winners in the series, a repeat performance of their Lime Rock success came up just short during the 50-minute run. With Davis starting his No. 50 Luna-C Clothing Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 from the third row, the Georgia-resident passed three cars in the first two laps, putting his car in second by lap three. Battling hard, a non-contact incident would set him back, however the Daytona 24 podium finisher would set on a relentless charge to regain lost time. Handing over to co-driver Ryan Eversley in second as the pit window opened, it was up to the multi-time GRAND-AM race winner to try and catch leader Kevin Conway. While Eversley would hold an incredible pace, gaining over two seconds a lap on the leader, the Georgia-native simply ran out of time and would settle for second.

 “It was great to come back out and run,” stated Davis. “Style and Quality are synonymous with Lamborghini, and that fits our clothing brand, Luna-C, very well.  I’ve enjoyed getting to know the folks at Lamborghini Beverly Hills, and GMG, and believe there is great synergy between us all.   The team prepared a great car for us, and as usual, Ryan was fantastic.  It was disappointing that we came up a bit short, but regardless, it was a lot of fun and a good day.”

Just 24 hours later, series returnee Burt Jenner would equal the result. Driving the No. 33 Forgiato Tire machine, Burt, the oldest of the famed Jenner children, would be joined by his brother Brandon for Sunday’s round. Unfortunately their race would be cut short, as gearbox gremlins would sideline the car before Burt could ever turn a lap.

Taking to Monday’s round on his own, redemption would be had, as the elder-Jenner would run a faultless race. Despite driving with a fractured left wrist, Burt would take a comfortable second overall, and first in the sportsman category.

“It was an amazing experience to walk on to the podium,” stated Jenner. “Sunday’s race was definitely frustrating, but today made up for it. It was nice to collect a couple of different trophies, and I’m extremely thankful to everyone at Forgiato Tire and GMG for making this a reality.”

Running a quiet but productive weekend was the No. 69 Lamborghini Beverly Hills / O’Gara Coach Company vehicle of Tom O’Gara. Knowing that a clean, solid series of runs would be critical for his championship hopes, the Los Angeles resident never put a foot wrong en route to seventh and sixth position finishes overall. The results would prove good enough for a successive pair of thirds in the sportsman category, crowning him the series champion.

“It’s been a fantastic first year of racing for us,” stated O’Gara. “I am thrilled to get the Amateur Championship and I would like to share it with my teammate Parris Mullins who couldn’t drive today. I’d like to thank all the guys at GMG Racing and everyone who’s taken part with Lamborghini Beverly Hills. We’ve got a great series here and it’s only going to get bigger and better next year.”

A quiet weekend for No. 14 The Thermal Club drivers Lawrence Holden and Bret Curtis would lead to third and seventh place finishes respectively. Holden would drive a relatively faultless race on Sunday en route to his second podium of the year, while early contact would set Curtis back during Monday’s round, eventually netting seventh.

Finally, a heartbreaking weekend would be had for young sensation Andrew Palmer. After winning during the most recent weekend at Virginia International Raceway, his first-ever car race, expectations were high on his visit to California Speedway. The

19-year-old didn’t disappoint. On Sunday, he would qualify on the front row, looking strong to challenge for the win. Unfortunately, an issue with the alternator belt would prevent the car from ever getting off the grid, forcing his No. 07 to retire before ever taking to the track. During Monday’s round, Palmer was once again off to a great start. Taking the lead just minutes in to the event, mechanical woes set in again, this time in the form of a punctured radiator caused by track debris.

 Overall, the inaugural Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Series was a resounding success for all involved. Having finished on the podium in every event, the team at GMG should be proud of the achievement.

“We’ve really enjoyed our involvement with this series,” stated Sofronas. “Lamborghini is a marque that speaks for itself, but every element and every detail related to the presentation has been second to none. The series here has something very special, and we’re honored to have been a part of it.”

With GMG’s professional racing season at an official close, the team is already hard at work in preparation for their 2014 plans. With a number of programs and initiatives underway, stay tuned for several announcements over the winter months.