audi LMS

Udell At Laguna Seca Podium

GMG Concludes Strong Pirelli World Challenge 2015 Season

Date September 17, 2015

Following an up-and-down Pirelli World Challenge series finale at the famed Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on Sunday, Global Motorsports Group’s (GMG) Alec Udell provided yet another highlight to the season, taking his 13th podium of the season. Also concluding their seasons would be Alex Welch in the GTA category, as well as team owner James Sofronas in GT, with Welch taking 10th in class and Sofronas taking top Audi honors on his day.

“This was definitely one of our more unique seasons, but I’m proud of our team and the effort everyone put in,” stated James Sofronas. “Alec was the latest addition to our driver development program this year, and he did an excellent job. Coming from years of GTS racing, jumping into one of these Porsche GT3 Cup cars is a big change, but he did a fantastic job. We’ve enjoyed a great relationship with Porsche that has spanned a decade, so we were happy to come back and jump right back in for the GT-Cup class. Taking two wins and 13 podiums, with no mechanical DNF’s, was proof of our experience, and watching Alec grow over the course was amazing to watch. I think had he been able to run every race, we might have really had a shot at it. Our Audi program was flawless as well, and both myself and all of our Audi drivers enjoyed the season. It’s always tough to push to the limit when you’re injured, but regardless, the support and enthusiasm from everyone at Audi Sport customer racing was excellent and we’ve enjoyed our relationship.”

Alex Udell at Laguna Seca

Following an incredible past two race weekends in which the 19-year-old has taken two victories, Alec Udell came into Sunday’s single event looking to end his season on a high. Starting the No. 17 Euroworld Motorsport / Amsource Capital / Panther Pipeline Porsche 911 GT3 Cup 991 from the front row, the Texas native was instantly on pace taking the lead by the conclusion of the first lap. Continuing a season-long battle with series champion Colin Thompson, the duo ran nose-to-tail for much of the first half of the race with Udell maintaining his lead and never putting a foot wrong. Unfortunately, as the faster GT traffic began to find their way around the duo, Alec was caught out as a dueling Cadillac and Ferrari made their way around him, allowing Thompson an opportunity to sneak through headed into turn four.

In the process, however, Thompson would make contact with Udell, with Alec’s left-front sustaining minor damage and knocking his car out of alignment.

While Alec’s Porsche would be able to continue, the contact would force him to slow during the race’s final laps, with third-place Sloan Urry eventually making an additional pass and forcing Alec to third by time the race would end.

Alex Udell at Laguna Seca driving the GMG Racing WC-GT3

While a frustrating finish, it would still mark the 13th podium of 14 starts for Udell, with his only DNF occurring from a start-line incident in St. Petersburg that was completely unavoidable. Unfortunately, that same incident would force Alec to miss four events due to damages, yet despite his absence he would still finish fourth in the Driver’s Championship with GMG repeating that result in the Team Championship.

“It definitely wasn’t the finish we wanted, but another podium is still a great testament to the team,” stated Udell. “During the last few events we really started coming into our own, which definitely gives me a lot of confidence as we look at our 2016 plans. Everyone at GMG has been amazing to work with. James has been nothing but accommodating as we encountered a series of challenges throughout the season, and Neville and his guys have provided an excellent level of enthusiasm and support. We couldn’t have done it without them. Obviously we had our share of heartbreak, but overall I think there were a lot of positives this year, and I thank everyone at GMG for such a great opportunity.”

For Alex Welch, returning to the fold in the GTA category, a strong pace during practice and qualifying in the No. 76 Audi R8 LMS ultra was unfortunately challenged during Sunday’s race. After a strong opening pace, an errant Aston Martin would end up sliding right into the Audi during the opening laps, pushing Alex off and towards the back of the field. Adding insult to injury, as the Colorado resident got back up to speed, he would encounter slick track conditions forcing him to the back once again, and resigned to a position of simply gaining ground as best he could. With no caution periods during the race, Welch simply had to manage his car to the finish, ultimately taking 10th in class.

Alex Welch at Laguna Seca driving the GMG Racing Audi R8 LMS Ultra

“It was a rough race for sure,” stated Welch. “When someone pushes up into you and you fall to the back, there’s not much you can do to gain ground, so at that point I was just trying to maintain. I’m disappointed and really wanted to end the season strong, but it’s racing and I guess that’s part of it. Everyone at GMG did a great job preparing the car and I look forward to seeing what 2016 holds.”

Finally, a fairly quiet race for James Sofronas would end in disappointment, though the team owner would take some solace as the top Audi finisher in the field. Driving the No. 14 The Thermal Club / Mobil 1 / Spyder Audi R8 LMS ultra, the Californian made a strong start, caught in an incredible multi-way fight for the top ten. Running his usual faultless effort, contact between several cars would hamper his effort somewhat, but the team owner soldiered on to what looked to be a strong finish until a small gear-shifting issue would force him to the pits during the final two turns on the final lap, with the driver pulling into the pits and still managing to cross the finish line from pit lane.

James Sofronas at Laguna Seca driving the Audi R8 LMS Ultra

While a frustrating finish, the race still proved a strong effort for both driver and team. In the 12 races that the No. 14 Audi competed in this year, the team had zero mechanical DNF’s proving the strength of both team and car.

While the Pirelli World Challenge season has come to a close for the team, the crew is already hard at work in preparation for a nmber races in other series. The team is currently in Austin, Texas, for the next round of the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Series, and in addition, they have several other events scheduled throughout the season.

GMG Confirms Four Car Effort in Pirelli World Challenge Series

Date January 31, 2015

Now entering their 14th season of Pirelli World Challenge competition, one of the longest-running teams in the series, Global Motorsports Group (GMG), will once again return with four entries to the championship. Beyond the return of drivers James Sofronas, Alex Welch and Brent Holden, GMG will also welcome young talent Alec Udell to the series’ all-new GT-Cup category.

“We’ve been committed to the Pirelli World Challenge for over a decade now, and it’s remarkable to see how the series has grown,” stated GMG team owner and driver James Sofronas. “The growth and momentum that we’ve seen in the last few years is absolutely staggering, and we’re proud to be a part of it. We’re now entering our fourth year with the Audi R8, and the experience accrued will really help with both our performance and driver development. In all honesty, I’d been considering pulling myself out of the car this year, but when two of my closest friends, Alex Welch and Brent Holden decided to return, it just made sense to come back. Adding Alec Udell to the all-new GT-Cup class will be a really strong addition, as not only will Alec be very competitive, but our decades of experience with Porsche Cup machinery should really elevate his development. Additionally, it’s great to have such partners as Spyder, The Thermal Club, and Mobil 1 all back with us for 2015, and we’re excited to continue our growth and development together.”

Richard Prince PhotographyMaking his debut for the team in the all-new Porsche GT-Cup class will be 19-year old Alec Udell. Now entering his fifth year of Pirelli World Challenge competition, Alec has achieved a number of accolades in the series’ GTS category, including three podiums and 11 top-five finishes. Taking part in GMG’s renowned driver development program, Udell will enter the next chapter of GMG’s history with Porsche. Not only has the team competed at such events as The Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring in Porsche machinery, but GMG also played a critical role in Porsche’s manufacturer’s championships in 2008 and 2009.

“It’s exciting to join GMG for this next chapter in my career,” stated the 19-year-old. “The team has a great reputation within the paddock, and our goals are set very high for a strong season. A lot of people say that learning a Porsche is unlike any other sports car out there, and I’m fortunate to join a team with such vast experience. Beyond that, the team has had some great results over the years, and I’m hoping to add my name to it.”

SON_6734Following a quiet 2014 season, James Sofronas and the No. 14 Audi R8 LMS ultra will headline the team’s GT efforts at the season-opening round on March 7. As the first-ever driver to win with the Audi R8 in World Challenge competition, James nearly took the series’ GT championship in 2013, taking the title all the way to the season finale.

Rejoining the team will be long-time GMG driver Brent Holden. Hailing from Newport Beach, California, Brent has been a long-time veteran of the team, having competed in a number of categories and events over the years, starting in the Porsche GT3 Cup and currently in the Audi R8 LMS ultra. Entered in the sportsman-designed GTA category, Holden’s speed and patience should make him a strong contender.

“GMG’s attention to driver development and providing a comfortable atmosphere is unlike any other,” stated Holden. “I really enjoy my time not only with the team, but taking part in all that the Pirelli World Challenge has to offer. The series features many of my favorite tracks, exciting cars, and a competitive racing format; combined with the experience that James and the team offer, I look forward to returning.”

SON_6446Adding to the team’s GT lineup will be the return of another long-time member of the organization, Alex Welch. A multi-year veteran of the series, Welch and his Audi R8 LMS ultra showed strong last year, including capping his season off with a GTA-class podium during the final weekend of 2014.

222A1311“It’s always exciting to return to GMG and the Pirelli World Challenge,” stated Welch. “The GTA class is extremely competitive, but the team has done a great job getting us prepared and the access to driver data, coaching, and all the other assets that the team has to offer goes a long way. The series looks to be bigger than ever, but it’s a challenge we’re all excited for.”

Additionally, GMG will continue their multi-year partnership with Spyder, Mobil 1, and The Thermal Club. Spyder, most known for its outerwear designed for winter enthusiasts, has recently begun the promotion of a new warm weather line. Partnering with a number of motorsport entities, the brand’s Spyder GT line is available now. Additionally, GMG will once again continue their association with Mobil 1 who has been a long-time motor oil supplier for all of GMG’s programs. Finally, the company’s affiliation with The Thermal Club, a motorsport country club-style facility located near Palm Springs, will also continue in 2015.

The opening round of the Pirelli World Challenge will take place from March 6-8 at a standalone event in Austin, Texas, at the famed Circuit of the Americas.

While the team currently has four entries locked in, the ability to expand remains an option with several other programs still in discussion. GMG will continue to make additional announcements as the program expands.