The No. 32 GMG/Orbit/Spectra Resources Rolex Spec 2012 Porsche 997 GT-3 Cup Car ran as high as 3rd during the successful 11th place finish in the GT class in a starting field of 45 at the 50th Anniversary Rolex 24 at Daytona.  GMG and Orbit Racing overcame challenges on the track after a 21st position start including a last lap issue to leave a mark on the legendary race and venue.  Nearly two dozen cars of the 58 overall starting vehicles were unable to complete the grueling around-the-clock event or finished more than 100 laps behind the leader in what was arguably the most competitive Rolex 24 at Daytona in history.

“We started very strong and then fell back as we dealt with a harness issue,” noted James Sofronas, President of Global Motorsports Group (GMG), who shouldered driving duties along with four other teammates.  “Solid and focused driving during extended shifts from my teammates, supported by an amazing crew, allowed us to successfully see this race through to the finish.”  Some last minute drama came when the shift cable broke on the final lap of the race, edging the team down from 9th.  “Efficient pit stops and double or triple shifts behind the wheel from the team made it work.”

Two leading names in Porsche racing and tuning in North America, Global Motorsports Group and Orbit Racing, came together for the 50th Anniversary Rolex 24 at Daytona.  It was the first race collaboration between GMG in Southern California and Orbit Racing on the east coast of Florida, though each had fielded cars in prior Rolex 24 at Daytona events.

The five drivers had competed in the race before and now can add a successful 2012 completion to their achievements.  Sofronas is an experienced Porsche driver whose career highlights include victories across numerous racing events, series and championships, most recently in the SCCA Pro Racing Pirelli World Challenge.  Shane Lewis has been racing since 1989 and has won multiple races in IMSA, GRAND-AM, SCCA Pro Racing and has podium finishes, class victories and overall wins throughout the world.  Nicolas Armindo started his career in French formula racing in 2001 and has earned a reputation as a fierce Porsche competitor, winning the 2010 Porsche Carrera Cup Championship in Germany.  Lance Willsey brought with him extensive experience on the Daytona track, having raced it several times in prior years as part of the Grand-Am Rolex series and has multiple Rolex 24 starts.   Bret Curtis has been competing across the U.S. and Europe and has raced with GMG in prior seasons, including last year’s Rolex 24 where they ran as high as 3rd with less than 3 hours to go.  Curtis drove the car across the finish line for the team this year.

With this first event of the 2012 racing season now in the books, GMG Racing will turn focus towards the upcoming American LeMans and World Challenge season openers.  “There is a lot we can take away from this and apply to our own racing team to make GMG Racing an even fiercer competitor in 2012,” added Sofronas.

For more information about GMG Racing, visit www.GMGracing.com or keep up to date through Facebook (GMG Racing) and Twitter (@GMGracing).

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 Press Contact: Jonathan Zaleski / The PR Collective / 310-943-7143 / jonathan@theprcollective.com